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Kim SM, Jang YJ. Enzymatic activity of fibroblast activation protein-α is essential for TGF-β1-induced fibroblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells. Exp Cell Res 2024; 442:114230. [PMID: 39222867 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114230] [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: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) contain multipotent postnatal stem cells that can differentiate into PDL fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and cementoblasts. Interaction between the extracellular environment and stem cells is an important factor for differentiation into other progenitor cells. To identify cell surface molecules that induce PDL fibroblastic differentiation, we developed a series of monoclonal antibodies against membrane/ECM molecules. One of these antibodies, an anti-PDL25 antibody, recognizes approximately a 100 kDa protein, and this antigenic molecule accumulates in the periodontal ligament region of tooth roots. By mass spectrometric analysis, we found that the antigenic molecule recognized by the anti-PDL25 antibody is fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα). The expression level of FAPα/PDL25 increased in TGF-β1-induced PDL fibroblasts, and this protein was localized in the cell boundaries and elongated processes of the fibroblastic cells. Ectopic expression of FAPα induced fibroblastic differentiation. In contrast, expression of representative markers for PDL differentiation was decreased by knock down and antibody blocking of FAPα/PDL25. Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase activity by a potent FAPα inhibitor dramatically inhibited PDL fibroblastic marker expression but did not affect in cell proliferation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Min Kim
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 FOUR NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, South Korea
| | - Young-Joo Jang
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 FOUR NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, South Korea; Department of Oral Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, South Korea.
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2
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Grigorieva O, Basalova N, Dyachkova U, Novoseletskaya E, Vigovskii M, Arbatskiy M, Kulebyakina M, Efimenko A. Modeling the profibrotic microenvironment in vitro: Model validation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 733:150574. [PMID: 39208646 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Establishing the molecular and cellular mechanisms of fibrosis requires the development of validated and reproducible models. The complexity of in vivo models challenges the monitoring of an individual cell fate, in some cases making it impossible. However, the set of factors affecting cells in vitro culture systems differ significantly from in vivo conditions, insufficiently reproducing living systems. Thus, to model profibrotic conditions in vitro, usually the key profibrotic factor, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ-1) is used as a single factor. TGFβ-1 stimulates the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, the main effector cells promoting the development and progression of fibrosis. However, except for soluble factors, the rigidity and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a critical role in the differentiation process. To develop the model of more complex profibrotic microenvironment in vitro, we used a combination of factors: decellularized ECM synthesized by human dermal fibroblasts in the presence of ascorbic acid if cultured as cell sheets and recombinant TGFβ-1 as a supplement. When culturing human mesenchymal stromal cells derived from adipose tissue (MSCs) under described conditions, we observed differentiation of MSCs into myofibroblasts due to increased number of cells with stress fibrils with alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and increased expression of myofibroblast marker genes such as collagen I, EDA-fibronectin and αSMA. Importantly, secretome of MSCs changed in these profibrotic microenvironment: the secretion of the profibrotic proteins SPARC and fibulin-2 increased, while the secretion of the antifibrotic hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) decreased. Analysis of transciptomic pattern of regulatory microRNAs in MSCs revealed 49 miRNAs with increased expression and 3 miRNAs with decreased expression under profibrotic stimuli. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that at least 184 gene targets of the differently expressed miRNAs genes were associated with fibrosis. To further validate the developed model of profibrotic microenvironment, we cultured human dermal fibroblasts in these conditions and observed increased expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAPa) after 12 h of cultivation as well as increased level of αSMA and higher number of αSMA + stress fibrils after 72 h. The data obtained allow us to conclude that the conditions formed by the combination of profibrotic ECM and TGFβ-1 provide a complex profibrotic microenvironment in vitro. Thus, this model can be applicable in studying the mechanism of fibrosis development, as well as for the development of antifibrotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Grigorieva
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Nataliya Basalova
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia
| | - Uliana Dyachkova
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Novoseletskaya
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maksim Vigovskii
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Arbatskiy
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Kulebyakina
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Efimenko
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192, Moscow, Russia
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Kraxner A, Braun F, Cheng WY, Yang THO, Pipaliya S, Canamero M, Andersson E, Harring SV, Dziadek S, Bröske AME, Ceppi M, Tanos T, Teichgräber V, Charo J. Investigating the complex interplay between fibroblast activation protein α-positive cancer associated fibroblasts and the tumor microenvironment in the context of cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1352632. [PMID: 39035007 PMCID: PMC11258004 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1352632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study investigates the role of Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP)-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (FAP+CAF) in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment, focusing on its association with immune cell functionality and cytokine expression patterns. Methods Utilizing immunohistochemistry, we observed elevated FAP+CAF density in metastatic versus primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors, with higher FAP+CAF correlating with increased T cell infiltration in RCC, a unique phenomenon illustrating the complex interplay between tumor progression, FAP+CAF density, and immune response. Results Analysis of immune cell subsets in FAP+CAF-rich stromal areas further revealed significant correlations between FAP+ stroma and various T cell types, particularly in RCC and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This was complemented by transcriptomic analyses, expanding the range of stromal and immune cell subsets interrogated, as well as to additional tumor types. This enabled evaluating the association of these subsets with tumor infiltration, tumor vascularization and other components of the tumor microenvironment. Our comprehensive study also encompassed cytokine, angiogenesis, and inflammation gene signatures across different cancer types, revealing heterogeneous cellular composition, cytokine expressions and angiogenic profiles. Through cytokine pathway profiling, we explored the relationship between FAP+CAF density and immune cell states, uncovering potential immunosuppressive circuits that limit anti-tumor activity in tumor-resident immune cells. Conclusions These findings underscore the complexity of tumor biology and the necessity for personalized therapeutic and patient enrichment approaches. The insights gathered from FAP+CAF prevalence, immune infiltration, and gene signatures provide valuable perspectives on tumor microenvironments, aiding in future research and clinical strategy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Kraxner
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Braun
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Data and Analytics, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Wei-Yi Cheng
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Data and Analytics, Roche Translational & Clinical Research Center, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Little Falls, NJ, United States
| | - Tai-Hsien Ou Yang
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Data and Analytics, Roche Translational & Clinical Research Center, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Little Falls, NJ, United States
| | - Shweta Pipaliya
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Data and Analytics, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Glycart AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Marta Canamero
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Emilia Andersson
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Suzana Vega Harring
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dziadek
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ann-Marie E. Bröske
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Maurizio Ceppi
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Tanos
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Volker Teichgräber
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jehad Charo
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Glycart AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
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Bocci M, Zana A, Principi L, Lucaroni L, Prati L, Gilardoni E, Neri D, Cazzamalli S, Galbiati A. In vivo activation of FAP-cleavable small molecule-drug conjugates for the targeted delivery of camptothecins and tubulin poisons to the tumor microenvironment. J Control Release 2024; 367:779-790. [PMID: 38346501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.014] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs) are increasingly considered as a therapeutic alternative to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapy. OncoFAP is an ultra-high affinity ligand of Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP), a stromal tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in a wide variety of solid human malignancies. We have recently reported the development of non-internalizing OncoFAP-based SMDCs, which are activated by FAP thanks to selective proteolytic cleavage of the -GlyPro- linker with consequent release of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) in the tumor microenvironment. In this article, we describe the generation and the in vivo characterization of FAP-cleavable OncoFAP-drug conjugates based on potent topoisomerase I inhibitors (DXd, SN-38, and exatecan) and an anti-tubulin payload (MMAE), which are already exploited in clinical-stage and approved ADCs. The Glycine-Proline FAP-cleavable technology was directly benchmarked against linkers found in Adcetris™, Enhertu™, and Trodelvy™ structures by means of in vivo therapeutic experiments in mice bearing tumors with cellular or stromal FAP expression. OncoFAP-GlyPro-Exatecan and OncoFAP-GlyPro-MMAE emerged as the most efficacious anti-cancer therapeutics against FAP-positive cellular models. OncoFAP-GlyPro-MMAE exhibited a potent antitumor activity also against stromal models, and was therefore selected for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Bocci
- Philochem AG, R&D Department, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland.
| | - Aureliano Zana
- Philochem AG, R&D Department, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | | | - Laura Lucaroni
- Philochem AG, R&D Department, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Luca Prati
- Philochem AG, R&D Department, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | | | - Dario Neri
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich CH-8093, Switzerland; Philogen S.p.A., Siena 53100, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Galbiati
- Philochem AG, R&D Department, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland.
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Zhang XL, Xiao W, Qian JP, Yang WJ, Xu H, Xu XD, Zhang GW. The Role and Application of Fibroblast Activating Protein. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:1097-1110. [PMID: 37259211 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230530095305] [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: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP), a type-II transmembrane serine protease, is rarely expressed in normal tissues but highly abundant in pathological diseases, including fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Ever since its discovery, we have deciphered its structure and biological properties and continue to investigate its roles in various diseases while attempting to utilize it for targeted therapy. To date, no significant breakthroughs have been made in terms of efficacy. However, in recent years, several practical applications in the realm of imaging diagnosis have been discovered. Given its unique expression in a diverse array of pathological tissues, the fundamental biological characteristics of FAP render it a crucial target for disease diagnosis and immunotherapy. To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the research progress of FAP, its biological characteristics, involvement in diseases, and recent targeted application research have been reviewed. Moreover, we explored its development trend in the direction of clinical diagnoses and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lou Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Xiao
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ping Qian
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Jun Yang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-da Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Wei Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Wu Y, Wu C, Shi T, Cai Q, Wang T, Xiong Y, Zhang Y, Jiang W, Lu M, Chen Z, Chen J, Wang J, He R. FAP expression in adipose tissue macrophages promotes obesity and metabolic inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303075120. [PMID: 38100414 PMCID: PMC10743525 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303075120] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue macrophages (ATM) are key players in the development of obesity and associated metabolic inflammation which contributes to systemic metabolic dysfunction. We here found that fibroblast activation protein α (FAP), a well-known marker of cancer-associated fibroblast, is selectively expressed in murine and human ATM among adipose tissue-infiltrating leukocytes. Macrophage FAP deficiency protects mice against diet-induced obesity and proinflammatory macrophage infiltration in obese adipose tissues, thereby alleviating hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Mechanistically, FAP specifically mediates monocyte chemokine protein CCL8 expression by ATM, which is further upregulated upon high-fat-diet (HFD) feeding, contributing to the recruitment of monocyte-derived proinflammatory macrophages with no effect on their classical inflammatory activation. CCL8 overexpression restores HFD-induced metabolic phenotypes in the absence of FAP. Moreover, macrophage FAP deficiency enhances energy expenditure and oxygen consumption preceding differential body weight after HFD feeding. Such enhanced energy expenditure is associated with increased levels of norepinephrine (NE) and lipolysis in white adipose tissues, likely due to decreased expression of monoamine oxidase, a NE degradation enzyme, by Fap-/- ATM. Collectively, our study identifies FAP as a previously unrecognized regulator of ATM function contributing to diet-induced obesity and metabolic inflammation and suggests FAP as a potential immunotherapeutic target against metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai200040, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Tiancong Shi
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Qian Cai
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Tianyao Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Yingluo Xiong
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Yubin Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang550004, China
| | - Mingfang Lu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Zhengrong Chen
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou215008, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Huashan hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai200040, China
| | - Jiqiu Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai200025, China
| | - Rui He
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai200040, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
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Basalova N, Alexandrushkina N, Grigorieva O, Kulebyakina M, Efimenko A. Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha (FAPα) in Fibrosis: Beyond a Perspective Marker for Activated Stromal Cells? Biomolecules 2023; 13:1718. [PMID: 38136590 PMCID: PMC10742035 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of tissue fibrosis is a complex process involving the interaction of multiple cell types, which makes the search for antifibrotic agents rather challenging. So far, myofibroblasts have been considered the key cell type that mediated the development of fibrosis and thus was the main target for therapy. However, current strategies aimed at inhibiting myofibroblast function or eliminating them fail to demonstrate sufficient effectiveness in clinical practice. Therefore, today, there is an unmet need to search for more reliable cellular targets to contribute to fibrosis resolution or the inhibition of its progression. Activated stromal cells, capable of active proliferation and invasive growth into healthy tissue, appear to be such a target population due to their more accessible localization in the tissue and their high susceptibility to various regulatory signals. This subpopulation is marked by fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα). For a long time, FAPα was considered exclusively a marker of cancer-associated fibroblasts. However, accumulating data are emerging on the diverse functions of FAPα, which suggests that this protein is not only a marker but also plays an important role in fibrosis development and progression. This review aims to summarize the current data on the expression, regulation, and function of FAPα regarding fibrosis development and identify promising advances in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Basalova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Natalya Alexandrushkina
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
| | - Olga Grigorieva
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Maria Kulebyakina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia Efimenko
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
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Ding J, Qiu J, Hao Z, Huang H, Liu Q, Liu W, Ren C, Hacker M, Zhang T, Wu W, Li X, Huo L. Comparing the clinical value of baseline [ 68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT and [ 18F]F-FDG PET/CT in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: additional prognostic value of the distal pancreatitis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:4036-4050. [PMID: 37493664 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06297-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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Anatomical and molecular staging strategies are needed for the personalized treatment of localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study evaluated the performance of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]F-FDG PET/CT on the disease staging and prognostic value of patients with localized PDAC on contrast-enhanced (CE)-CT images. METHODS Patients with suspected localized PDAC on CE-CT were recruited for static [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and 18[F]F-FDG and PET/CT, and select patients underwent simultaneous 60-min dynamic 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT. The diagnostic and staging performances of the static PET/CT results were evaluated by delineating regions of interest in the primary tumor, whole pancreas, and distal pancreas in both types of scans and then evaluating correlations between the PET/CT findings and clinicopathological characteristics. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier and hazard ratio (log-rank) methods were used to evaluate the prognostic value of the combined dynamic [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and static [18F]F-FDG PET/CT method. RESULTS We included 49 patients with histologically confirmed PDAC adenocarcinomas; 32 underwent 60-min dynamic [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT imaging simultaneously. The static [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 method had significantly higher accuracy and uptake values than the static [18F]F-FDG method for primary PDAC lesions, metastatic lymph nodes, and distal metastases. Furthermore, 18.4% and 10.2% of the patients' stages changed after using the [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]F-FDG PET/CT methodologies, respectively, compared to the CE-CT-designated stage. The Ki values obtained from dynamic [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT did not differ between PDAC and distal obstructive pancreatitis lesions. Pathologically enlarged tumor size, poor differentiation, and perineural invasion were associated with increased [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 uptake but not with [18F]F-FDG uptake. The preoperative prognostic performance of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 was better than that of [18F]F-FDG. Interestingly, combined [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]F-FDG uptake results in the whole pancreas could further stratify patients based on their postoperative prognosis. CONCLUSION 6[68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT was more sensitive and accurate than [18F]F-FDG PET/CT for tumor, node, and metastasis staging of PDAC identified on CE-CT. Additionally, [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 uptake was significantly associated with pathologically aggressive tumor features. Combined [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]F-FDG PET/CT findings improved the prognostic value, potentially providing a non-invasive guide for clinical management. Finally, increased fibroblast activity in PDAC-induced obstructive pancreatitis may be associated with poor patient survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ding
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jiangdong Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhixin Hao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Qiaofei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Chao Ren
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Taiping Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Wenming Wu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Xiang Li
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Li Huo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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9
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Bengel FM, Diekmann J, Hess A, Jerosch-Herold M. Myocardial Fibrosis: Emerging Target for Cardiac Molecular Imaging and Opportunity for Image-Guided Therapy. J Nucl Med 2023; 64:49S-58S. [PMID: 37918842 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.122.264867] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis is a major contributor to the development and progression of heart failure. Significant progress in the understanding of its pathobiology has led to the introduction and preclinical testing of multiple highly specific antifibrotic therapies. Because the mechanisms of fibrosis are highly dynamic, and because the involved cell populations are heterogeneous and plastic, there is increasing emphasis that any therapy directed specifically against myocardial fibrosis will require personalization and guidance by equally specific diagnostic testing for successful clinical translation. Noninvasive imaging techniques have undergone significant progress and provide increasingly specific information about the quantity, quality, and activity of myocardial fibrosis. Cardiac MRI can precisely map the extracellular space of the myocardium, whereas nuclear imaging characterizes activated fibroblasts and immune cells as the cellular components contributing to fibrosis. Existing techniques may be used in complementarity to provide the imaging biomarkers needed for the success of novel targeted therapies. This review provides a road map on how progress in basic fibrosis research, antifibrotic drug development, and high-end noninvasive imaging may come together to facilitate the success of fibrosis-directed cardiovascular medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank M Bengel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; and
| | - Johanna Diekmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; and
| | - Annika Hess
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; and
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10
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Bukhari M, Patel N, Fontana R, Santiago-Medina M, Jiang Y, Li D, Pestonjamasp K, Christiansen VJ, Jackson KW, McKee PA, Yang J. Fibroblast activation protein drives tumor metastasis via a protease-independent role in invadopodia stabilization. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113302. [PMID: 37862167 PMCID: PMC10742343 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113302] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
During metastasis, tumor cells invade through the basement membrane and intravasate into blood vessels and then extravasate into distant organs to establish metastases. Here, we report a critical role of a transmembrane serine protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in tumor metastasis. Expression of FAP and TWIST1, a metastasis driver, is significantly correlated in several types of human carcinomas, and FAP is required for TWIST1-induced breast cancer metastasis to the lung. Mechanistically, FAP is localized at invadopodia and required for invadopodia-mediated extracellular matrix degradation independent of its proteolytic activity. Live cell imaging shows that association of invadopodia precursors with FAP at the cell membrane promotes the stabilization and growth of invadopodia precursors into mature invadopodia. Together, our study identified FAP as a functional target of TWIST1 in driving tumor metastasis via promoting invadopodia-mediated matrix degradation and uncovered a proteolytic activity-independent role of FAP in stabilizing invadopodia precursors for maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurish Bukhari
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Navneeta Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rosa Fontana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miguel Santiago-Medina
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yike Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dongmei Li
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kersi Pestonjamasp
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Victoria J Christiansen
- William K. Warren Medical Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kenneth W Jackson
- William K. Warren Medical Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Patrick A McKee
- William K. Warren Medical Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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11
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Zhang X, Jozic A, Song P, Xu Q, Shi X, Wang H, Bishop L, Struthers HM, Rutledge J, Chen S, Xu F, Hancock MH, Zhu D, Sahay G, Chu CQ. mRNA vaccine against fibroblast activation protein ameliorates murine models of inflammatory arthritis. RHEUMATOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2023; 4:90-97. [PMID: 37818347 PMCID: PMC10561064 DOI: 10.2478/rir-2023-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective Synovial fibroblasts in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contribute substantially to the perpetuation of synovitis and invasion to cartilage and bone, and are potential therapeutic targets. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is highly expressed by RA synovial fibroblasts and the expression is relatively specific. We tested whether FAP can serve as a molecular target to modulate synovial fibroblasts for therapy in experimental arthritis. Methods mRNA encoding consensus FAP (cFAP) was encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and was injected intramuscularly as vaccine prior to induction of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagen antibody induced arthritis (CAIA) in mice. Development of CIA and CAIA was assessed clinically and by histology. Results cFAP mRNA-LNP vaccine provoked immune response to cFAP and mouse FAP (mFAP); prevented onset of CIA in 40% of mice and significantly reduced the severity of arthritis. In CAIA, cFAP mRNA-LNP did not prevent onset of arthritis but significantly reduced the severity of arthritis. Conclusion cFAP mRNA-LNP vaccine was able to provoke immune response to mFAP and suppress inflammatory arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhang
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
| | - Antony Jozic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon97201, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
| | - Pingfang Song
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou51405, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaofei Shi
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang471003, Henan Province, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou362000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lindsey Bishop
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon97006, USA
| | - Hillary M Struthers
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon97006, USA
| | - John Rutledge
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
- Portland VA Research Foundation, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
| | - Shuang Chen
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
| | - Fei Xu
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Meaghan H Hancock
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon97006, USA
| | - Daocheng Zhu
- Shanghai Kexin Biotechnology, Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon97201, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
| | - Cong-Qiu Chu
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon97239, USA
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12
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Dmochowska N, Milanova V, Mukkamala R, Chow KK, Pham NTH, Srinivasarao M, Ebert LM, Stait-Gardner T, Le H, Shetty A, Nelson M, Low PS, Thierry B. Nanoparticles Targeted to Fibroblast Activation Protein Outperform PSMA for MRI Delineation of Primary Prostate Tumors. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2204956. [PMID: 36840671 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202204956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Accurate delineation of gross tumor volumes remains a barrier to radiotherapy dose escalation and boost dosing in the treatment of solid tumors, such as prostate cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumor targets has the power to enable focal dose boosting, particularly when combined with technological advances such as MRI-linear accelerator. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is overexpressed in stromal components of >90% of epithelial carcinomas. Herein, the authors compare targeted MRI of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) with FAP in the delineation of orthotopic prostate tumors. Control, FAP, and PSMA-targeting iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared with modification of a lymphotropic MRI agent (FerroTrace, Ferronova). Mice with orthotopic LNCaP tumors underwent MRI 24 h after intravenous injection of nanoparticles. FAP and PSMA nanoparticles produced contrast enhancement on MRI when compared to control nanoparticles. FAP-targeted MRI increased the proportion of tumor contrast-enhancing black pixels by 13%, compared to PSMA. Analysis of changes in R2 values between healthy prostates and LNCaP tumors indicated an increase in contrast-enhancing pixels in the tumor border of 15% when targeting FAP, compared to PSMA. This study demonstrates the preclinical feasibility of PSMA and FAP-targeted MRI which can enable targeted image-guided focal therapy of localized prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Dmochowska
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5095, Australia
| | - Valentina Milanova
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5095, Australia
| | - Ramesh Mukkamala
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Kwok Keung Chow
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5095, Australia
| | - Nguyen T H Pham
- Key Centre for Polymers and Colloids, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Madduri Srinivasarao
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Lisa M Ebert
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia; SA Pathology; Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Timothy Stait-Gardner
- Nanoscale Organisation and Dynamics Group, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2560, Australia
| | - Hien Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Anil Shetty
- Ferronova Pty Ltd, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, 5095, Australia
| | - Melanie Nelson
- Ferronova Pty Ltd, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, 5095, Australia
| | - Philip S Low
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Benjamin Thierry
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5095, Australia
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13
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Diekmann J, Bengel FM. Cardiac Applications of Fibroblast Activation Protein Imaging. PET Clin 2023:S1556-8598(23)00030-5. [PMID: 37117121 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Several promising applications of cardiac molecular fibroblast activation protein (FAP) imaging are emerging. Myocardial fibrosis plays a key role in the complex process of cardiac remodeling and can lead to adverse clinical outcomes such as left ventricular dysfunction, propensity to arrhythmias, and reduction of perfusion. If fibrosis becomes irreversible, patients can develop heart failure. Therefore identification and early fibrosis treatment is highly warranted. FAP-targeted imaging enables new insights into pathogenesis and treatment response in various cardiac diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart failure or systemic diseases being a new selective biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Diekmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Street. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany.
| | - Frank M Bengel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Street. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
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14
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Ding J, Qiu J, Hao Z, Huang H, Liu Q, Liu W, Ren C, Hacker M, Zhang T, Wu W, Huo L, Li X. Prognostic value of preoperative [ 68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in correlation with immunohistological characteristics. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:1780-1791. [PMID: 36695823 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-06100-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our aim was to assess the prognostic value of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 positron emission tomography (PET) uptake in PDAC and to evaluate the correlation between in vivo lesional radioactivity with pathological characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed treatment-naïve PDAC patients who underwent preoperative [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT followed by pancreatectomy. The tracer uptake was determined as maximum tumor standardized uptake value (SUVmax), FAPI-avid tumor volume (FTV), total lesion FAP expression (TLF) as well total pancreatic uptake (TSUVmax), total FAPI-avid pancreatic volume (FPV), and total pancreatic FAP expression (TPF). Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the association between [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT imaging and ex vivo immunohistological FAP expression and pathological characteristics of surgical specimens (differentiation, size, vascularity, perineural invasion, and lymph node metastases). Kaplan-Meier and hazard ratio (HR, log-rank) methods were used to evaluate the prognostic value of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT and clinicopathological factors. RESULTS Thirty-seven surgical PDAC patients were included. The ex vivo expression of FAP was significantly associated with the tumor SUVmax and TLF. FAP expression was more abundant in poorly differentiated PDAC than in well- to moderately differentiated neoplasms. Tumor SUVmax or TLF and pancreatic TSUVmax or TPF were significantly correlated with tumor size, differentiation, and perineural invasion, respectively. SUVmax had a significant independent prognostic value for recurrence-free survival (HR = 2.46, P < 0.05), while [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 TPF predicted overall survival (HR = 12.82, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The in vivo [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 uptake in localized PDAC showed a significant correlation with ex vivo FAP expression and aggressive pathological characteristics. [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT also presented a potential for postoperative prognostication of PDAC. Elevated fibroblast activity induced by obstructive pancreatitis might be associated with the patient's survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ding
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangdong Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, Beijing, China
| | - Zhixin Hao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaofei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Ren
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, Beijing, China
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Taiping Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, Beijing, China.
| | - Wenming Wu
- Department of General Surgery, PUMC Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and PUMC, Beijing, China.
| | - Li Huo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and PUMC, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiang Li
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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15
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Lee CC, Tsai CH, Chen CH, Yeh YC, Chung WH, Chen CB. An updated review of the immunological mechanisms of keloid scars. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1117630. [PMID: 37033989 PMCID: PMC10075205 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1117630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Keloid is a type of disfiguring pathological scarring unique to human skin. The disorder is characterized by excessive collagen deposition. Immune cell infiltration is a hallmark of both normal and pathological tissue repair. However, the immunopathological mechanisms of keloid remain unclear. Recent studies have uncovered the pivotal role of both innate and adaptive immunity in modulating the aberrant behavior of keloid fibroblasts. Several novel therapeutics attempting to restore regulation of the immune microenvironment have shown variable efficacy. We review the current understanding of keloid immunopathogenesis and highlight the potential roles of immune pathway-specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chun Lee
- 1 Department of Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsuan Tsai
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Chen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Chieh Yeh
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Program in Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hung Chung
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Cancer Vaccine and Immune Cell Therapy Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- Chang Gung Immunology Consortium, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Chang Gung Allergology Consortium, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, China
- Whole-Genome Research Core Laboratory of Human Diseases, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Immune-Oncology Center of Excellence, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Genomic Medicine Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Bing Chen
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Cancer Vaccine and Immune Cell Therapy Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- Chang Gung Immunology Consortium, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Chang Gung Allergology Consortium, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, China
- Whole-Genome Research Core Laboratory of Human Diseases, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Immune-Oncology Center of Excellence, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Genomic Medicine Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Chun-Bing Chen, ;
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Sieweke JT, Grosse GM, Weissenborn K, Derda AA, Biber S, Bauersachs J, Bavendiek U, Tillmanns J. Circulating fibroblast activation protein α is reduced in acute ischemic stroke. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1064157. [PMID: 36568546 PMCID: PMC9768027 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1064157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast activation protein α (FAP), a membrane glycoprotein with dipeptidyl-peptidase and collagenase properties, is expressed in atherosclerotic plaques and remodeling of the extracellular matrix based on fibrosis. Fibrosis is a main contributor of atrial cardiomyopathies. In acute MI, circulating FAP is associated with outcome. Here, we investigated the correlation of circulating FAP to echocardiographic parameters of atrial remodeling and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke. Methods Circulating FAP plasma concentrations were determined by ELISA in 47 patients with acute stroke and 22 control patients without stroke. Echocardiography was performed in all participants. Laboratory analysis, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scoring and prolonged Holter-ECG-monitoring were performed in all stroke patients. Results Patients with acute stroke had lower circulating FAP concentrations than the control cohort (92 ± 24 vs. 106 ± 22 ng/mL, P < 0.001). There was no difference between the circulating FAP concentration comparing stroke due to atrial fibrillation, embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) or atherosclerotic origin. Septal atrial conduction time (sPA-TDI) and left atrial (LA) volume index to tissue Doppler velocity (LAVI/a') representing echocardiographic parameters of LA remodeling did not correlate with FAP concentrations (sPA-TDI: r = 0.123, p = 0.31; LAVI/a': r = 0.183, p = 0.132). Stroke severity as assessed by NIHSS inversely correlated with circulating FAP (r = -0.318, p = 0.04). FAP concentration had a fair accuracy for identifying stroke in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (AUC = 0.710, 95% CI: 0.577-0.843). A FAP concentration of 101 ng/mL discriminated between presence and absence of stroke with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 77%. Lower circulating FAP concentration was associated with cardio-cerebro-vascular events within 12 months after admission. Conclusions Our study is the first to associate FAP with echocardiographic parameters of LA-remodeling and function. FAP did not correlate with sPA-TDI and LAVI/a'. However, FAP was associated with stroke, neurological impairment, and cardio-cerebral events within 12 months. Therefore, FAP might enable individualized risk stratification in ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Thorben Sieweke
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gerrit M. Grosse
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Anselm A. Derda
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Saskia Biber
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Johann Bauersachs
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Udo Bavendiek
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Tillmanns
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany,*Correspondence: Jochen Tillmanns
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17
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Cheng CS, Yang PW, Sun Y, Song SL, Chen Z. Fibroblast activation protein-based theranostics in pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:969731. [PMID: 36263225 PMCID: PMC9574192 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.969731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is a type II transmembrane serine protease that has specific endopeptidase activity. Given its well-established selective expression in the activated stromal fibroblasts of epithelial cancers, although not in quiescent fibroblasts, FAP has received substantial research attention as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an abundant fibrotic or desmoplastic stroma, leading to rapid progression, therapeutic resistance, and poor clinical outcomes. Numerous studies have revealed that the abundant expression of FAP in cancer cells, circulating tumor cells, stromal cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is implicated in diverse cancer-related signaling pathways, contributing to cancer progression, invasion, migration, metastasis, immunosuppression, and resistance to treatment. In this article, we aim to systematically review the recent advances in research on FAP in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, including its utility as a diagnostic marker, therapeutic potential, and correlation with prognosis. We also describe the functional role of FAP-overexpressing stromal cells, particulary CAFs, in tumor immuno- and metabolic microenvironments, and summarize the mechanisms underlying the contribution of FAP-overexpressing CAFs in pancreatic cancer progression and treatment resistance. Furthermore, we discuss whether targeting FAP-overexpressing CAFs could represent a potential therapeutic strategy and describe the development of FAP-targeted probes for diagnostic imaging. Finally, we assess the emerging basic and clinical studies regarding the bench-to-bedside translation of FAP in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-shan Cheng
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-wen Yang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Sun
- Department of Research and Development, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao-li Song
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhen Chen,
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18
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Yanagawa N, Sugai M, Shikanai S, Sugimoto R, Osakabe M, Uesugi N, Saito H, Maemondo M, Sugai T. High expression of fibroblast-activating protein is a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Thorac Cancer 2022; 13:2377-2384. [PMID: 35818720 PMCID: PMC9376177 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast‐activating protein (FAP) is expressed in cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in many human carcinomas and in some types of carcinoma cells. Here, we examined the proportion of FAP protein expression in non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and investigated the correlation of FAP expression with clinicopathological background. Methods In total, 344 NSCLC tissues were examined. Tissue microarrays were constructed, and FAP expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The status of FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs was correlated with clinicopathological background, molecular features, and patient outcomes. Results A total of 280 patients (81.4%) had low FAP expression, and 64 patients (18.6%) had high FAP expression in tumor cells. In CAFs, 230 patients (66.9%) had low FAP expression, and 114 patients (33.1%) had high FAP expression. In multivariate analyses, high FAP expression in tumor cells was an independent predictive factor of both overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49–4.42, p < 0.001) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS; HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.38–3.29, p < 0.001). Based on combinations of FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs, patients with LowT/LowCAFs had better OS and RFS than did those in the other subgroups. By contrast, patients with HighT/HighCAFs had poor OS and RFS compared with those in the other subgroups. Conclusions Overall, FAP expression in tumor cells and the combination FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs were strongly associated with patient survival and may be useful predictive biomarkers for patient outcomes in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Yanagawa
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Mayu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shikanai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Ryo Sugimoto
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Mitsumasa Osakabe
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Uesugi
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Hajime Saito
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Makoto Maemondo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
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19
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Chu CQ. Highlights of Strategies Targeting Fibroblasts for Novel Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:846300. [PMID: 35252279 PMCID: PMC8891528 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.846300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Synovial fibroblasts of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) play a critical role in perpetuation of chronic inflammation by interaction with immune and inflammatory cells and in cartilage and bone invasion, but current therapies for RA are not directly targeted fibroblasts. Selectively fibroblast targeted therapy has been hampered because of lack of fibroblast specific molecular signature. Recent advancement in technology enabled us to gain insightful information concerning RA synovial fibroblast subpopulations and functions. Exploring fibroblast targeted therapies have been focused on inducing cell death via fibroblast associated proteins; interrupting fibroblast binding to matrix protein; blocking intercellular signaling between fibroblasts and endothelial cells; inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and invasion; promoting cell apoptosis and inducing cellular senescence, and modulating fibroblast glucose metabolism. Translation into clinical studies of these fibroblast targeted strategies is required for evaluation for their clinical application, in particular for combination therapy with current immune component targeted therapies. Here, several strategies of fibroblast targeted therapy are highlighted.
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20
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Chen M, Sheu MT, Cheng TL, Roffler SR, Lin SY, Chen YJ, Cheng YA, Cheng JJ, Chang HY, Wu TY, Kao AP, Ho YS, Chuang KH. A novel anti-tumor/anti-tumor-associated fibroblast/anti-mPEG tri-specific antibody to maximize the efficacy of mPEGylated nanomedicines against fibroblast-rich solid tumor. Biomater Sci 2021; 10:202-215. [PMID: 34826322 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01218e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic efficacy of methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG)-coated nanomedicines in solid tumor treatment is hindered by tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs), which promote tumor progression and form physical barriers. We developed an anti-HER2/anti-FAP/anti-mPEG tri-specific antibody (TsAb) for one-step conversion of mPEG-coated liposomal doxorubicin (Lipo-Dox) to immunoliposomes, which simultaneously target HER2+ breast cancer cells and FAP+ TAFs. The non-covalent modification did not adversely alter the physical characteristics and stability of Lipo-Dox. The TsAb-Lipo-Dox exhibited specific targeting and enhanced cytotoxicity against mono- and co-cultured HER2+ breast cancer cells and FAP+ TAFs, compared to bi-specific antibody (BsAb) modified or unmodified Lipo-Dox. An in vivo model of human breast tumor containing TAFs also revealed the improved tumor accumulation and therapeutic efficacy of TsAb-modified mPEGylated liposomes without signs of toxicity. Our data indicate that arming clinical mPEGylated nanomedicines with the TsAb is a feasible and applicable approach for overcoming the difficulties caused by TAFs in solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Chen
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Thau Sheu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tian-Lu Cheng
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Steve R Roffler
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shyr-Yi Lin
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jou Chen
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-An Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Jy Cheng
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Chang
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Yun Wu
- Ph.D. Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - An-Pei Kao
- Stemforce Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Soon Ho
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Cancer Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsiang Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center of Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Ph.D Program in Biotechnology Research and Development, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Master Program for Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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21
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Chen Y, Yang S, Lovisa S, Ambrose CG, McAndrews KM, Sugimoto H, Kalluri R. Type-I collagen produced by distinct fibroblast lineages reveals specific function during embryogenesis and Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7199. [PMID: 34893625 PMCID: PMC8664945 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27563-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Type I collagen (Col1) is the most abundant protein in mammals. Col1 contributes to 90% of the total organic component of bone matrix. However, the precise cellular origin and functional contribution of Col1 in embryogenesis and bone formation remain unknown. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis identifies Fap+ cells and Fsp1+ cells as the major contributors of Col1 in the bone. We generate transgenic mouse models to genetically delete Col1 in various cell lineages. Complete, whole-body Col1 deletion leads to failed gastrulation and early embryonic lethality. Specific Col1 deletion in Fap+ cells causes severe skeletal defects, with hemorrhage, edema, and prenatal lethality. Specific Col1 deletion in Fsp1+ cells results in Osteogenesis Imperfecta-like phenotypes in adult mice, with spontaneous fractures and compromised bone healing. This study demonstrates specific contributions of mesenchymal cell lineages to Col1 production in organogenesis, skeletal development, and bone formation/repair, with potential insights into cell-based therapy for patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054 USA
| | - Sujuan Yang
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054 USA
| | - Sara Lovisa
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054 USA
| | - Catherine G. Ambrose
- grid.267308.80000 0000 9206 2401Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX USA
| | - Kathleen M. McAndrews
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054 USA
| | - Hikaru Sugimoto
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054 USA
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77054, USA. .,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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22
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Fibroblast Activation Protein Targeted Photodynamic Therapy Selectively Kills Activated Skin Fibroblasts from Systemic Sclerosis Patients and Prevents Tissue Contraction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312681. [PMID: 34884484 PMCID: PMC8657852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, severe, auto-immune disease characterized by inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis. Activated (myo)fibroblasts are crucial drivers of this fibrosis. By exploiting their expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) to perform targeted photodynamic therapy (tPDT), we can locoregionally deplete these pathogenic cells. In this study, we explored the use of FAP-tPDT in primary skin fibroblasts from SSc patients, both in 2D and 3D cultures. Method: The FAP targeting antibody 28H1 was conjugated with the photosensitizer IRDye700DX. Primary skin fibroblasts were obtained from lesional skin biopsies of SSc patients via spontaneous outgrowth and subsequently cultured on plastic or collagen type I. For 2D FAP-tPDT, cells were incubated in buffer with or without the antibody-photosensitizer construct, washed after 4 h and exposed to λ = 689 nm light. Cell viability was measured using CellTiter Glo®®. For 3D FAP-tPDT, cells were seeded in collagen plugs and underwent the same treatment procedure. Contraction of the plugs was followed over time to determine myofibroblast activity. Results: FAP-tPDT resulted in antibody-dose dependent cytotoxicity in primary skin fibroblasts upon light exposure. Cells not exposed to light or incubated with an irrelevant antibody-photosensitizer construct did not show this response. FAP-tPDT fully prevented contraction of collagen plugs seeded with primary SSc fibroblasts. Even incubation with a very low dose of antibody (0.4 nM) inhibited contraction in 2 out of 3 donors. Conclusions: Here we have shown, for the first time, the potential of FAP-tPDT for the treatment of fibrosis in SSc skin.
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23
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Wei H, Xu Y, Wang Y, Xu L, Mo C, Li L, Shen B, Sun Y, Cheng P, Yang L, Pang Y, Qin A, Cao Y, Morrison SJ, Yue R. Identification of Fibroblast Activation Protein as an Osteogenic Suppressor and Anti-osteoporosis Drug Target. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108252. [PMID: 33053358 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteogenic suppressors such as Sclerostin not only regulate skeletal development and regeneration but also serve as anti-osteoporosis drug targets. However, very few druggable suppressors have been identified due to limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing osteogenesis. Here, we show that fibroblast activation protein (Fap), a serine protease inhibited by the bone growth factor Osteolectin, is an osteogenic suppressor. Genetic deletion of Fap significantly ameliorates limb trabecular bone loss during aging. Pharmacological inhibition of Fap significantly promotes bone formation and inhibits bone resorption in wild-type mice by differentially regulating canonical Wnt and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of Fap promotes osteoblast differentiation, inhibits osteoclast differentiation, and significantly attenuates osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice. Epistasis analyses in zebrafish show that Osteolectin functions as an endogenous inhibitor of Fap to promote vertebrae mineralization. Taken together, we identify Fap as an important osteogenic suppressor and a potential drug target to treat osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjing Wei
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanhua Xu
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yibin Wang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Liting Xu
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chunyang Mo
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Liangzi Li
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bo Shen
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Pengzhen Cheng
- Institute of Orthopedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Institute of Orthopedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yichuan Pang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - An Qin
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implant, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Sean J Morrison
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rui Yue
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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24
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Langer LB, Hess A, Korkmaz Z, Tillmanns J, Reffert LM, Bankstahl JP, Bengel FM, Thackeray JT, Ross TL. Molecular imaging of fibroblast activation protein after myocardial infarction using the novel radiotracer [ 68Ga]MHLL1. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:7755-7766. [PMID: 34335962 PMCID: PMC8315078 DOI: 10.7150/thno.51419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) evokes an organized remodeling process characterized by the activation and transdifferentiation of quiescent cardiac fibroblasts to generate a stable collagen rich scar. Early fibroblast activation may be amenable to targeted therapy, but is challenging to identify in vivo. We aimed to non-invasively image active fibrosis by targeting the fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expressed by activated (myo)fibroblasts, using a novel positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand [68Ga]MHLL1 after acute MI. Methods: One-step chemical synthesis and manual as well as module-based radiolabeling yielded [68Ga]MHLL1. Binding characteristics were evaluated in murine and human FAP-transfected cells, and stability tested in human serum. Biodistribution in healthy animals was interrogated by dynamic PET imaging, and metabolites were measured in blood and urine. The temporal pattern of FAP expression was determined by serial PET imaging at 7 d and 21 d after coronary artery ligation in mice as percent injected dose per gram (%ID/g). PET measurements were validated by ex vivo autoradiography and immunostaining for FAP and inflammatory macrophages. Results: [68Ga]MHLL1 displayed specific uptake in murine and human FAP-positive cells (p = 0.0208). In healthy mice the tracer exhibited favorable imaging characteristics, with low blood pool retention and dominantly renal clearance. At 7 d after coronary artery ligation, [68Ga]MHLL1 uptake was elevated in the infarct relative to the non-infarcted remote myocardium (1.3 ± 0.3 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2 %ID/g, p < 0.001) which persisted to 21 d after MI (1.3 ± 0.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4 %ID/g, p = 0.013). Excess unlabeled compound blocked tracer accumulation in both infarct and non-infarct remote myocardium regions (p < 0.001). Autoradiography and histology confirmed the regional uptake of [68Ga]MHLL1 in the infarct and especially border zone regions, as identified by Masson trichrome collagen staining. Immunostaining further delineated persistent FAP expression at 7 d and 21 d post-MI in the border zone, consistent with tracer distribution in vivo. Conclusion: The simplified synthesis of [68Ga]MHLL1 bears promise for non-invasive characterization of fibroblast activation protein early in remodeling after MI.
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25
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Cheng WJ, Lin SY, Chen M, Chen LC, Ho HO, Chuang KH, Sheu MT. Active Tumoral/Tumor Environmental Dual-Targeting by Non-Covalently Arming with Trispecific Antibodies or Dual-Bispecific Antibodies on Docetaxel-Loaded mPEGylated Nanocarriers to Enhance Chemotherapeutic Efficacy and Minimize Systemic Toxicity. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:4017-4030. [PMID: 34140769 PMCID: PMC8203191 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s301237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was aimed at developing the trispecific antibodies (anti-EGFR/anti-FAP/anti-mPEG, TsAb) or dual bispecific antibodies (anti-EGFR/anti-mPEG and anti-FAP/anti-mPEG) docetaxel (DTX)-loaded mPEGylated lecithin-stabilized micelles (mPEG-lsbPMs) for improving the targeting efficiency and therapeutic efficacy. METHODS mPEG-lsbPMs were simply prepared via thin film method. The trispecific antibodies or bispecific antibodies bound the mPEG-lsbPMs by anti-mPEG Fab fragment. The formulations were characterized by DLS and TEM; in vitro and in vivo studies were also conducted to evaluate the cellular uptake, cell cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS The particle sizes of mPEG-lsbPMs with or without the antibodies were around 100 nm; the formulations showed high encapsulation efficiencies of 97.12%. The TsAb and dual bispecific antibodies were fabricated and demonstrated their targeting ability. Two EGFR-overexpressed cell lines (HT-29 and MIA PaCa-2) were co-cultured with FAP-overexpressed WS1 cells (HT-29/WS1; MIA PaCa-2/WS1) to mimic a tumor coexisting in the tumor microenvironment. Cellular binding study revealed that the binding of anti-FAP micelles to three co-culture ratios (4:1, 1:1, and 1:4) of HT-29/EGFR to WS1/FAP was significantly higher than that for TsAb micelles and dual (1:1) micelles, and the binding of those targeting antibodies to WS1/FAP and MIA PaCa-2/EGFR was equally efficacious resulting in a similar binding amount of the TsAb and dual BsAbs (1:1) with the co-culture of MIA PaCa-2/EGFR and WS1/FAP at a 1:1 ratio. Antitumor efficacy study showed that treatment with DTX-loaded mPEG-lsbPMs modified with or without BsAbs, dual BsAbs (1:1), and TsAbs was enhanced in inhibiting tumor growth compared with that for Tynen® while showing fewer signs of adverse effects. CONCLUSION Active targeting of both tumors and TAF-specific antigens was able to increase the affinity of DTX-loaded mPEG-lsbPMs toward tumor cells and TAFs leading to successive uptake by tumor cells or TAFs which enhanced their chemotherapeutic efficacy against antigen-positive cancer cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bispecific/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Bispecific/chemistry
- Antibodies, Bispecific/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacokinetics
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology
- Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Coculture Techniques
- Docetaxel/administration & dosage
- Docetaxel/pharmacokinetics
- Drug Carriers/administration & dosage
- Drug Carriers/chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems/methods
- ErbB Receptors/antagonists & inhibitors
- ErbB Receptors/immunology
- Humans
- Injections, Intradermal
- Lecithins/chemistry
- Male
- Mice, Nude
- Micelles
- Particle Size
- Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jie Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shyr-Yi Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Michael Chen
- PhD Program in Clinical Drug Development of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Chun Chen
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-O Ho
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsiang Chuang
- PhD Program in Clinical Drug Development of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Thau Sheu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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26
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An ultra-high-affinity small organic ligand of fibroblast activation protein for tumor-targeting applications. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2101852118. [PMID: 33850024 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2101852118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the development of OncoFAP, an ultra-high-affinity ligand of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) for targeting applications with pan-tumoral potential. OncoFAP binds to human FAP with affinity in the subnanomolar concentration range and cross-reacts with the murine isoform of the protein. We generated various fluorescent and radiolabeled derivatives of OncoFAP in order to study biodistribution properties and tumor-targeting performance in preclinical models. Fluorescent derivatives selectively localized in FAP-positive tumors implanted in nude mice with a rapid and homogeneous penetration within the neoplastic tissue. Quantitative in vivo biodistribution studies with a lutetium-177-labeled derivative of OncoFAP revealed a preferential localization in tumors at doses of up to 1,000 nmol/kg. More than 30% of the injected dose had already accumulated in 1 g of tumor 10 min after intravenous injection and persisted for at least 3 h with excellent tumor-to-organ ratios. OncoFAP also served as a modular component for the generation of nonradioactive therapeutic products. A fluorescein conjugate mediated a potent and FAP-dependent tumor cell killing activity in combination with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells specific to fluorescein. Similarly, a conjugate of OncoFAP with the monomethyl auristatin E-based Vedotin payload was well tolerated and cured tumor-bearing mice in combination with a clinical-stage antibody-interleukin-2 fusion. Collectively, these data support the development of OncoFAP-based products for tumor-targeting applications in patients with cancer.
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27
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Stein S, Weber J, Nusser-Stein S, Pahla J, Zhang HE, Mohammed SA, Oppi S, Gaul DS, Paneni F, Tailleux A, Staels B, von Meyenn F, Ruschitzka F, Gorrell MD, Lüscher TF, Matter CM. Deletion of fibroblast activation protein provides atheroprotection. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:1060-1069. [PMID: 32402085 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is upregulated at sites of tissue remodelling including chronic arthritis, solid tumours, and fibrotic hearts. It has also been associated with human coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Yet, the causal role of FAP in atherosclerosis remains unknown. To investigate the cause-effect relationship of endogenous FAP in atherogenesis, we assessed the effects of constitutive Fap deletion on plaque formation in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (Apoe) or low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr) knockout mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Using en face analyses of thoraco-abdominal aortae and aortic sinus cross-sections, we demonstrate that Fap deficiency decreased plaque formation in two atherosclerotic mouse models (-46% in Apoe and -34% in Ldlr knockout mice). As a surrogate of plaque vulnerability fibrous cap thickness was used; it was increased in Fap-deficient mice, whereas Sirius red staining demonstrated that total collagen content remained unchanged. Using polarized light, atherosclerotic lesions from Fap-deficient mice displayed increased FAP targets in terms of enhanced collagen birefringence in plaques and increased pre-COL3A1 expression in aortic lysates. Analyses of the Stockholm Atherosclerosis Gene Expression data revealed that FAP expression was increased in human atherosclerotic compared to non-atherosclerotic arteries. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide causal evidence that constitutive Fap deletion decreases progression of experimental atherosclerosis and increases features of plaque stability with decreased collagen breakdown. Thus, inhibition of FAP expression or activity may not only represent a promising therapeutic target in atherosclerosis but appears safe at the experimental level for FAP-targeted cancer therapies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta/enzymology
- Aorta/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/enzymology
- Aortic Diseases/genetics
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/prevention & control
- Atherosclerosis/enzymology
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/prevention & control
- Case-Control Studies
- Collagen/genetics
- Collagen/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endopeptidases/deficiency
- Endopeptidases/genetics
- Fibrosis
- Gene Deletion
- Humans
- Lipids/blood
- Male
- Membrane Proteins/deficiency
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/enzymology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Proteome
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Transcriptome
- Vascular Remodeling
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Sokrates Stein
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julien Weber
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Nusser-Stein
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Pahla
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Hui E Zhang
- Liver Enzymes in Metabolism and Inflammation Program, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW 2050, Liver Enzymes in Metabolism and Inflammation Program, Centenary Institute, Australia
| | - Shafeeq A Mohammed
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sara Oppi
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Daniel S Gaul
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Research and Education, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne Tailleux
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011 - EGID, Lille, 42 Rue Paul Duez, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Bart Staels
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011 - EGID, Lille, 42 Rue Paul Duez, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schorenstrasse 16 CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Frank Ruschitzka
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mark D Gorrell
- Liver Enzymes in Metabolism and Inflammation Program, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW 2050, Liver Enzymes in Metabolism and Inflammation Program, Centenary Institute, Australia
| | - Thomas F Lüscher
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Cardiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Trust, Imperial College London, 77 Wimpole Street, London SW3 6NP, UK
| | - Christian M Matter
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
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28
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Hoffmann DB, Fraccarollo D, Galuppo P, Frantz S, Bauersachs J, Tillmanns J. Genetic ablation of fibroblast activation protein alpha attenuates left ventricular dilation after myocardial infarction. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248196. [PMID: 33667270 PMCID: PMC7935287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Regulating excessive activation of fibroblasts may be a promising target to optimize extracellular matrix deposition and myocardial stiffness. Fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) is upregulated in activated fibroblasts after myocardial infarction (MI), and alters fibroblast migration in vitro. We hypothesized that FAP depletion may have a protective effect on left ventricular (LV) remodeling after MI. Materials and methods We used the model of chronic MI in homozygous FAP deficient mice (FAP-KO, n = 51) and wild type mice (WT, n = 55) to analyze wound healing by monocyte and myofibroblast infiltration. Heart function and remodeling was studied by echocardiography, morphometric analyses including capillary density and myocyte size, collagen content and in vivo cell-proliferation. In non-operated healthy mice up to 6 months of age, morphometric analyses and collagen content was assessed (WT n = 10, FAP-KO n = 19). Results Healthy FAP-deficient mice did not show changes in LV structure or differences in collagen content or cardiac morphology. Infarct size, survival and cardiac function were not different between FAP-KO and wildtype mice. FAP-KO animals showed less LV-dilation and a thicker scar, accompanied by a trend towards lower collagen content. Wound healing, assessed by infiltration with inflammatory cells and myofibroblasts were not different between groups. Conclusion We show that genetic ablation of FAP does not impair cardiac wound healing, and attenuates LV dilation after MI in mice. FAP seems dispensable for normal cardiac function and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Hoffmann
- Department of Trauma-, Orthopaedic- and Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Fraccarollo
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Paolo Galuppo
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Frantz
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Wurzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Johann Bauersachs
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Tillmanns
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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29
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Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is a type-II transmembrane serine protease expressed almost exclusively to pathological conditions including fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Across most cancer types, elevated FAP is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Despite the clear association between FAP and disease severity, the biological reasons underlying these clinical observations remain unclear. Here we review basic FAP biology and FAP's role in non-oncologic and oncologic disease. We further explore how FAP may worsen clinical outcomes via its effects on extracellular matrix remodeling, intracellular signaling regulation, angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immunosuppression. Lastly, we discuss the potential to exploit FAP biology to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison A Fitzgerald
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3870 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Louis M Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3870 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
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30
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Segerer SE, Bartmann C, Schwab M, Kämmerer U. Expression of the Peptidase "Fibroblast Activation Protein" on Decidual Stromal Cells Facilitating Tissue Remodeling. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2020; 85:428-436. [PMID: 33171480 DOI: 10.1159/000511439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has been detected in activated fibroblasts participating in injury response, fibrotic and inflammatory conditions, and tumorigenesis. Human endometrium is equally characterized by rapid tissue remodeling events due to the reproductive tasks comprising the activity of proteolytic enzymes. OBJECTIVE We therefore hypothesized that FAP-positive fibroblasts could also be involved in physiological processes requiring tissue remodeling, such as decidualization during early pregnancy. METHODS/RESULTS The expression of FAP was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in frozen sections of decidual tissue from early pregnancy (gestational weeks: 6-12). All tissue samples clearly displayed a strong expression of FAP on the surface of stromal fibroblasts. Additionally, the percentage of FAP-positive fibroblasts freshly isolated from the decidua of the corresponding gestational weeks was calculated by applying FACS analysis. Decidual fibroblasts of different gestational weeks showed a significant decrease in FAP expression between the 6th and 7th weeks of gestation, which was followed by a steady slow reconstitution. By analyzing the expression of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors of isolated FAP-positive decidual fibroblasts, we detected high levels of monocyte-attracting chemokines (growth-related oncogene alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and -2), granulocyte-attracting chemokines (e.g., IL-8), proinflammatory factors (IL-1α and tumor necrosis factor alpha), and angiogenic substances (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor and IL-8), which all promote an optimal microenvironment for implantation and growth of the conceptus. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that the healthy early pregnancy decidua is characterized by a general occurrence of FAP-positive fibroblasts possibly participating in active tissue remodeling during implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine E Segerer
- Department of Gynecology, Amedes Experts, Hamburg, Germany, .,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany,
| | - Catharina Bartmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schwab
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Kämmerer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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31
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Adityan S, Tran M, Bhavsar C, Wu SY. Nano-therapeutics for modulating the tumour microenvironment: Design, development, and clinical translation. J Control Release 2020; 327:512-532. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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32
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Targeting Cancer Associated Fibroblasts in Liver Fibrosis and Liver Cancer Using Nanocarriers. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092027. [PMID: 32899119 PMCID: PMC7563527 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by them have been recognized as key players in cancer biology and emerged as important targets for cancer treatment and drug discovery. Apart from their presence in stroma rich tumors, such as biliary, pancreatic and subtypes of hepatocellular cancer (HCC), both CAF and certain ECM components are also present in cancers without an overt intra-tumoral desmoplastic reaction. They support cancer development, growth, metastasis and resistance to chemo- or checkpoint inhibitor therapy by a multitude of mechanisms, including angiogenesis, ECM remodeling and active immunosuppression by secretion of tumor promoting and immune suppressive cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. CAF resemble activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC)/myofibroblasts, expressing α-smooth muscle actin and especially fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Apart from FAP, CAF also upregulate other functional cell surface proteins like platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) or the insulin-like growth factor receptor II (IGFRII). Notably, if formulated with adequate size and zeta potential, injected nanoparticles home preferentially to the liver. Several nanoparticular formulations were tested successfully to deliver dugs to activated HSC/myofibroblasts. Thus, surface modified nanocarriers with a cyclic peptide binding to the PDGFRβ or with mannose-6-phosphate binding to the IGFRII, effectively directed drug delivery to activated HSC/CAF in vivo. Even unguided nanohydrogel particles and lipoplexes loaded with siRNA demonstrated a high in vivo uptake and functional siRNA delivery in activated HSC, indicating that liver CAF/HSC are also addressed specifically by well-devised nanocarriers with optimized physicochemical properties. Therefore, CAF have become an attractive target for the development of stroma-based cancer therapies, especially in the liver.
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33
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Monslow J, Todd L, Chojnowski JE, Govindaraju PK, Assoian RK, Puré E. Fibroblast Activation Protein Regulates Lesion Burden and the Fibroinflammatory Response in Apoe-Deficient Mice in a Sexually Dimorphic Manner. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2020; 190:1118-1136. [PMID: 32084369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has been established as an inducible and mesenchymal cell-specific mediator of disease progression in cancer and fibrosis. Atherosclerosis is a fibroinflammatory disease, and FAP was previously reported to be up-regulated in human atherosclerotic plaques compared with normal vessel. We investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of Fap-expressing cells in a murine model of atherosclerosis and used a genetic approach to determine if and how Fap affected disease progression. Fap was found to be expressed predominantly on vascular smooth muscle cells in lesions of athero-prone Apoe-/- mice. Global deletion of Fap (Fap-/-) in Apoe-/- mice accelerated atherosclerotic disease progression in both males and females, with the effect observed earlier in males. Sex-specific effects on lesion morphology were observed. Relative levels of extracellular matrix, fibrotic, and inflammatory cell content were comparable in lesions in male mice regardless of Fap status. In contrast, lesions in Fap-/- female mice were characterized by a more fibrotic composition due to a reduction in inflammation, specifically a reduction in Mox macrophages. Combined, these data suggest that Fap restrains the progression of atherosclerosis and may contribute to the sexually dimorphic susceptibility to atherosclerosis by regulating the balance between inflammation (an indicator of vulnerability to plaque rupture) and fibrosis (an indicator of plaque stability).
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Affiliation(s)
- James Monslow
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
| | - Leslie Todd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | - John E Chojnowski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | - Priya K Govindaraju
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | - Richard K Assoian
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
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34
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Lindner T, Loktev A, Giesel F, Kratochwil C, Altmann A, Haberkorn U. Targeting of activated fibroblasts for imaging and therapy. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2019; 4:16. [PMID: 31659499 PMCID: PMC6658625 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-019-0069-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors form a complex environment consisting of a variety of non-malignant cells. Especially cancer-associated fibroblasts have been shown to have an important role for different aspects of malignant tumors such as migration, metastasis, resistance to chemotherapy and immunosuppression. Therefore, a targeting of these cells may be useful for both imaging and therapy. In this respect, an interesting target is the fibroblast activation protein (FAP) which is expressed in activated fibroblasts, but not in quiescent fibroblasts, giving the opportunity to use this membrane-anchored enzyme as a target for radionuclide-based approaches for diagnosis and treatment of tumors and for the diagnosis of non-malignant disease associated with a remodelling of the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lindner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anastasia Loktev
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frederik Giesel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clemens Kratochwil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Altmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
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35
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Kimura T, Monslow J, Klampatsa A, Leibowitz M, Sun J, Liousia M, Woodruff P, Moon E, Todd L, Puré E, Albelda SM. Loss of cells expressing fibroblast activation protein has variable effects in models of TGF-β and chronic bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 317:L271-L282. [PMID: 31188013 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00071.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a cell surface serine protease, is upregulated on a subset of activated fibroblasts (often distinct from α-smooth muscle actin-expressing myofibroblasts) associated with matrix remodeling, including fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Acharya PS, Zukas A, Chandan V, Katzenstein AL, Puré E. Hum Pathol 37: 352-360, 2006.). As FAP+ fibroblasts could be pivotal in either breakdown and/or production of collagen and other matrix components, the goal of this study was to define the role of FAP+ cells in pulmonary fibrosis in two established, but different, mouse models of chronic lung fibrosis: repetitive doses of intratracheal bleomycin and a single dose of an adenoviral vector encoding constitutively active TGF-β1 (Ad-TGFβ). To determine their role in fibrotic remodeling, FAP-expressing cells were depleted by injection of T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor specific for murine FAP in mice with established fibrosis. The contribution of FAP to the function of FAP-expressing cells was assessed in FAP knockout mice. Using histological analyses, quantification of soluble collagen content, and flow cytometry, we found that loss of FAP+ cells exacerbated fibrosis in the bleomycin model, a phenotype largely recapitulated by the genetic deletion of FAP, indicating that FAP plays a role in this model. In contrast, depletion of FAP+ cells or genetic deletion of FAP had little effect in the Ad-TGFβ model highlighting the potential for distinct mechanisms driving fibrosis depending on the initiating insult. The role of FAP in human lung fibrosis will need to be well understood to guide the use of FAP-targeted therapeutics that are being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Kimura
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James Monslow
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Astero Klampatsa
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael Leibowitz
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jing Sun
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maria Liousia
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Patrick Woodruff
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Edmund Moon
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Leslie Todd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Steven M Albelda
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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36
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Zhang HE, Hamson EJ, Koczorowska MM, Tholen S, Chowdhury S, Bailey CG, Lay AJ, Twigg SM, Lee Q, Roediger B, Biniossek ML, O'Rourke MB, McCaughan GW, Keane FM, Schilling O, Gorrell MD. Identification of Novel Natural Substrates of Fibroblast Activation Protein-alpha by Differential Degradomics and Proteomics. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:65-85. [PMID: 30257879 PMCID: PMC6317473 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra118.001046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-alpha (FAP) is a cell-surface transmembrane-anchored dimeric protease. This unique, constitutively active serine protease has both dipeptidyl aminopeptidase and endopeptidase activities and can hydrolyze the post-proline bond. FAP expression is very low in adult organs but is upregulated by activated fibroblasts in sites of tissue remodeling, including fibrosis, atherosclerosis, arthritis and tumors. To identify the endogenous substrates of FAP, we immortalized primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from FAP gene knockout embryos and then stably transduced them to express either enzymatically active or inactive FAP. The MEF secretomes were then analyzed using degradomic and proteomic techniques. Terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (TAILS)-based degradomics identified cleavage sites in collagens, many other extracellular matrix (ECM) and associated proteins, and lysyl oxidase-like-1, CXCL-5, CSF-1, and C1qT6, that were confirmed in vitro In addition, differential metabolic labeling coupled with quantitative proteomic analysis also implicated FAP in ECM-cell interactions, as well as with coagulation, metabolism and wound healing associated proteins. Plasma from FAP-deficient mice exhibited slower than wild-type clotting times. This study provides a significant expansion of the substrate repertoire of FAP and provides insight into the physiological and potential pathological roles of this enigmatic protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Emma Zhang
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Hamson
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | | | - Stefan Tholen
- ¶Institute for Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sumaiya Chowdhury
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Charles G Bailey
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Angelina J Lay
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Stephen M Twigg
- §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia;; ‖Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Quintin Lee
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Ben Roediger
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Martin L Biniossek
- ¶Institute for Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthew B O'Rourke
- ‖Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia;; **Proteomics Core Facility, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Fiona M Keane
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Oliver Schilling
- ‡‡Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany;; §§BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany;; ¶¶German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Mark D Gorrell
- From the ‡Centenary Institute, the University of Sydney, Locked Bag No.6, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia;; §Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, 2006, Australia;; ‖Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia;.
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Panaro BL, Coppage AL, Beaudry JL, Varin EM, Kaur K, Lai JH, Wu W, Liu Y, Bachovchin WW, Drucker DJ. Fibroblast activation protein is dispensable for control of glucose homeostasis and body weight in mice. Mol Metab 2018; 19:65-74. [PMID: 30477988 PMCID: PMC6323180 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP), an enzyme structurally related to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), has garnered interest as a potential metabolic drug target due to its ability to cleave and inactivate FGF-21 as well as other peptide substrates. Here we investigated the metabolic importance of FAP for control of body weight and glucose homeostasis in regular chow-fed and high fat diet-fed mice. Methods FAP enzyme activity was transiently attenuated using a highly-specific inhibitor CPD60 and permanently ablated by genetic inactivation of the mouse Fap gene. We also assessed the FAP-dependence of CPD60 and talabostat (Val-boroPro), a chemical inhibitor reportedly targeting both FAP and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 Results CPD60 robustly inhibited plasma FAP activity with no effect on DPP-4 activity. Fap gene disruption was confirmed by assessment of genomic DNA, and loss of FAP enzyme activity in plasma and tissues. CPD60 did not improve lipid tolerance but modestly improved acute oral and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance in a FAP-dependent manner. Genetic inactivation of Fap did not improve glucose or lipid tolerance nor confer resistance to weight gain in male or female Fap−/− mice fed regular chow or high-fat diets. Moreover, talabostat markedly improved glucose homeostasis in a FAP- and FGF-21-independent, DPP-4 dependent manner. Conclusion Although pharmacological FAP inhibition improves glucose tolerance, the absence of a metabolic phenotype in Fap−/−mice suggest that endogenous FAP is dispensable for the regulation of murine glucose homeostasis and body weight. These findings highlight the importance of characterizing the specificity and actions of FAP inhibitors in different species and raise important questions about the feasibility of mouse models for targeting FAP as a treatment for diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Acute inhibition of FAP enzyme activity improves glucose tolerance in mice. Fap knockout mice exhibit normal glucose and lipid tolerance. Fap knockout mice do not resist obesity after high fat feeding. Talabostat robustly lowers glucose in a FAP and FGF21-independent manner. Talabostat, but not CPD60, requires DPP4 to exert its full metabolic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon L Panaro
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Andrew L Coppage
- Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Jacqueline L Beaudry
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Elodie M Varin
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Kirandeep Kaur
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Jack H Lai
- Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Wengen Wu
- Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - William W Bachovchin
- Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Daniel J Drucker
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada.
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Bainbridge TW, Dunshee DR, Kljavin NM, Skelton NJ, Sonoda J, Ernst JA. Selective Homogeneous Assay for Circulating Endopeptidase Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP). Sci Rep 2017; 7:12524. [PMID: 28970566 PMCID: PMC5624913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12900-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) is a membrane-bound serine protease whose expression is often elevated in activated fibroblasts associated with tissue remodeling in various common diseases such as cancer, arthritis and fibrosis. Like the closely related dipeptidyl peptidase DPPIV, the extracellular domain of FAP can be released into circulation as a functional enzyme, and limited studies suggest that the circulating level of FAP correlates with the degree of tissue fibrosis. Here we describe a novel homogeneous fluorescence intensity assay for circulating FAP activity based on a recently identified natural substrate, FGF21. This assay is unique in that it can effectively distinguish endopeptidase activity of FAP from that of other related enzymes such as prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) and was validated using Fap-deficient mice. Structural modeling was used to elucidate the mechanistic basis for the observed specificity in substrate recognition by FAP, but not by DPPIV or PREP. Finally, the assay was used to detect elevated FAP activity in human patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and to determine the effectiveness of a chemical inhibitor for FAP in mice. We propose that the assay presented here could thus be utilized for diagnosis of FAP-related pathologies and for the therapeutic development of FAP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Noelyn M Kljavin
- Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Nicholas J Skelton
- Discovery Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Junichiro Sonoda
- Molecular Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA. .,Cancer Immunology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
| | - James A Ernst
- Protein Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA. .,Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
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Vliegen G, Raju TK, Adriaensen D, Lambeir AM, De Meester I. The expression of proline-specific enzymes in the human lung. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2017; 5:130. [PMID: 28462210 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2017.03.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of lung diseases is very complex and proteolytic enzymes may play a role or could be used as biomarkers. In this review, the literature was searched to make an overview of what is known on the expression of the proline-specific peptidases dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) 4, 8, 9, prolyl oligopeptidase (PREP) and fibroblast activation protein α (FAP) in the healthy and diseased lung. Search terms included asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, fibrosis, ischemia reperfusion injury and pneumonia. Knowledge on the loss or gain of protein expression and activity during disease might tie these enzymes to certain cell types, substrates or interaction partners that are involved in the pathophysiology of the disease, ultimately leading to the elucidation of their functional roles and a potential therapeutic target. Most data could be found on DPP4, while the other enzymes are less explored. Published data however often appear to be conflicting, the applied methods divers and the specificity of the assays used questionable. In conclusion, information on the expression of the proline-specific peptidases in the healthy and diseased lung is lacking, begging for further well-designed research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn Vliegen
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tom K Raju
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dirk Adriaensen
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Anne-Marie Lambeir
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ingrid De Meester
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Tan SY, Chowdhury S, Polak N, Gorrell MD, Weninger W. Fibroblast activation protein is dispensable in the anti-influenza immune response in mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171194. [PMID: 28158223 PMCID: PMC5291439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) is a unique dual peptidase of the S9B serine protease family, being capable of both dipeptidyl peptidase and endopeptidase activities. FAP is expressed at low level in healthy adult organs including the pancreas, cervix, uterus, submaxillary gland and the skin, and highly upregulated in embryogenesis, chronic inflammation and tissue remodelling. It is also expressed by cancer-associated stromal fibroblasts in more than 90% of epithelial tumours. FAP has enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions in the growth, immunosuppression, invasion and cell signalling of tumour cells. FAP deficient mice are fertile and viable with no gross abnormality, but little data exist on the role of FAP in the immune system. FAP is upregulated in association with microbial stimulation and chronic inflammation, but its function in infection remains unknown. We showed that major populations of immune cells including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, dendritic cells and neutrophils are generated and maintained normally in FAP knockout mice. Upon intranasal challenge with influenza virus, FAP mRNA was increased in the lungs and lung-draining lymph nodes. Nonetheless, FAP deficient mice showed similar pathologic kinetics to wildtype controls, and were capable of supporting normal anti-influenza T and B cell responses. There was no evidence of compensatory upregulation of other DPP4 family members in influenza-infected FAP-deficient mice. FAP appears to be dispensable in anti-influenza adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sioh-Yang Tan
- Immune Imaging Program, Centenary Institute for Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sumaiya Chowdhury
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular Hepatology Laboratory, Centenary Institute for Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Natasa Polak
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular Hepatology Laboratory, Centenary Institute for Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark D. Gorrell
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular Hepatology Laboratory, Centenary Institute for Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Immune Imaging Program, Centenary Institute for Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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Identification of factors promoting ex vivo maintenance of mouse hematopoietic stem cells by long-term single-cell quantification. Blood 2016; 128:1181-92. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-03-705590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
AFT024-induced HSC maintenance correlates with early survival/proliferation whereas early death is a major reason for HSC loss in culture. Dermatopontin is required for ex vivo HSC maintenance, and also improves HSC clonogenicity in stroma-based and stroma-free cultures.
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Sánchez-Garrido MA, Habegger KM, Clemmensen C, Holleman C, Müller TD, Perez-Tilve D, Li P, Agrawal AS, Finan B, Drucker DJ, Tschöp MH, DiMarchi RD, Kharitonenkov A. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as a novel metabolic target. Mol Metab 2016; 5:1015-1024. [PMID: 27689014 PMCID: PMC5034526 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease belonging to a S9B prolyl oligopeptidase subfamily. This enzyme has been implicated in cancer development and recently reported to regulate degradation of FGF21, a potent metabolic hormone. Using a known FAP inhibitor, talabostat (TB), we explored the impact of FAP inhibition on metabolic regulation in mice. Methods To address this question we evaluated the pharmacology of TB in various mouse models including those deficient in FGF21, GLP1 and GIP signaling. We also studied the ability of FAP to process FGF21 in vitro and TB to block FAP enzymatic activity. Results TB administration to diet-induced obese (DIO) animals led to profound decreases in body weight, reduced food consumption and adiposity, increased energy expenditure, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and lowered cholesterol levels. Total and intact plasma FGF21 were observed to be elevated in TB-treated DIO mice but not lean animals where the metabolic impact of TB was significantly attenuated. Furthermore, and in stark contrast to naïve DIO mice, the administration of TB to obese FGF21 knockout animals demonstrated no appreciable effect on body weight or any other measures of metabolism. In support of these results we observed no enzymatic degradation of human FGF21 at either end of the protein when FAP was inhibited in vitro by TB. Conclusions We conclude that pharmacological inhibition of FAP enhances levels of FGF21 in obese mice to provide robust metabolic benefits not observed in lean animals, thus validating this enzyme as a novel drug target for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Pharmacological inhibition of FAP reduces weight, improves glucose and lipid metabolism in obese, but not lean mice. FAP inhibitor Talabostat at higher doses lessens food intake, without any apparent adverse effects in short term studies. Obese FGF21 deficient mice did not exhibit meaningful change in metabolic regulation when treated with Talabostat. The mechanism of Talabostat in vivo action appears to center on an increase in total and active levels of plasma FGF21. FAP inhibition alone, or in combination with DPP4 is proposed as a novel approach to treat metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Sánchez-Garrido
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDO), Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Munich, 85748, Germany; Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, 85748, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Kirk M Habegger
- Department of Medicine Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
| | - Christoffer Clemmensen
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDO), Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Munich, 85748, Germany; Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, 85748, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Cassie Holleman
- Department of Medicine Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
| | - Timo D Müller
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDO), Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Munich, 85748, Germany; Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, 85748, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Diego Perez-Tilve
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45237, United States
| | - Pengyun Li
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 46405, United States
| | - Archita S Agrawal
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 46405, United States
| | - Brian Finan
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDO), Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Munich, 85748, Germany; Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, 85748, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Daniel J Drucker
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 600 University Ave, TCP5-1004 Mailbox 39, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Matthias H Tschöp
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDO), Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Munich, 85748, Germany; Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, 85748, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, 85764, Germany
| | - Richard D DiMarchi
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 46405, United States.
| | - Alexei Kharitonenkov
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 46405, United States.
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Xia Q, Zhang FF, Geng F, Liu CL, Xu P, Lu ZZ, Yu B, Wu H, Wu JX, Zhang HH, Kong W, Yu XH. Anti-tumor effects of DNA vaccine targeting human fibroblast activation protein α by producing specific immune responses and altering tumor microenvironment in the 4T1 murine breast cancer model. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:613-24. [PMID: 27020681 PMCID: PMC11028871 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1827-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα) is a tumor stromal antigen overexpressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs are genetically more stable compared with the tumor cells and immunosuppressive components of the tumor microenvironment, rendering them excellent targets for cancer immunotherapy. DNA vaccines are widely applied due to their safety. To specifically destroy CAFs, we constructed and examined the immunogenicity and anti-tumor immune mechanism of a DNA vaccine expressing human FAPα. This vaccine successfully reduced 4T1 tumor growth through producing FAPα-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses which could kill CAFs, and the decrease in FAPα-expressing CAFs resulted in markedly attenuated expression of collagen I and other stromal factors that benefit the tumor progression. Based on these results, a DNA vaccine targeting human FAPα may be an attractive and effective cancer immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Xia
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang-Fang Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Geng
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen-Lu Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Xin Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Hong Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Hui Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, No. 2699, Street Qianjin, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of China
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Wagner L, Klemann C, Stephan M, von Hörsten S. Unravelling the immunological roles of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) activity and/or structure homologue (DASH) proteins. Clin Exp Immunol 2016; 184:265-83. [PMID: 26671446 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) 4 (CD26, DPP4) is a multi-functional protein involved in T cell activation by co-stimulation via its association with adenosine deaminase (ADA), caveolin-1, CARMA-1, CD45, mannose-6-phosphate/insulin growth factor-II receptor (M6P/IGFII-R) and C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXC-R4). The proline-specific dipeptidyl peptidase also modulates the bioactivity of several chemokines. However, a number of enzymes displaying either DPP4-like activities or representing structural homologues have been discovered in the past two decades and are referred to as DPP4 activity and/or structure homologue (DASH) proteins. Apart from DPP4, DASH proteins include fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP), DPP8, DPP9, DPP4-like protein 1 (DPL1, DPP6, DPPX L, DPPX S), DPP4-like protein 2 (DPL2, DPP10) from the DPP4-gene family S9b and structurally unrelated enzyme DPP2, displaying DPP4-like activity. In contrast, DPP6 and DPP10 lack enzymatic DPP4-like activity. These DASH proteins play important roles in the immune system involving quiescence (DPP2), proliferation (DPP8/DPP9), antigen-presenting (DPP9), co-stimulation (DPP4), T cell activation (DPP4), signal transduction (DPP4, DPP8 and DPP9), differentiation (DPP4, DPP8) and tissue remodelling (DPP4, FAP). Thus, they are involved in many pathophysiological processes and have therefore been proposed for potential biomarkers or even drug targets in various cancers (DPP4 and FAP) and inflammatory diseases (DPP4, DPP8/DPP9). However, they also pose the challenge of drug selectivity concerning other DASH members for better efficacy and/or avoidance of unwanted side effects. Therefore, this review unravels the complex roles of DASH proteins in immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Wagner
- Deutschsprachige Selbsthilfegruppe für Alkaptonurie (DSAKU) e.V, Stuttgart.,Department for Experimental Therapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - C Klemann
- Centre of Paediatric Surgery.,Centre for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
| | - M Stephan
- Clinic for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover
| | - S von Hörsten
- Department for Experimental Therapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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45
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Dunshee DR, Bainbridge TW, Kljavin NM, Zavala-Solorio J, Schroeder AC, Chan R, Corpuz R, Wong M, Zhou W, Deshmukh G, Ly J, Sutherlin DP, Ernst JA, Sonoda J. Fibroblast Activation Protein Cleaves and Inactivates Fibroblast Growth Factor 21. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:5986-5996. [PMID: 26797127 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.710582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
FGF21 is a stress-induced hormone with potent anti-obesity, insulin-sensitizing, and hepatoprotective properties. Although proteolytic cleavage of recombinant human FGF21 in preclinical species has been observed previously, the regulation of endogenously produced FGF21 is not well understood. Here we identify fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as the enzyme that cleaves and inactivates human FGF21. A selective chemical inhibitor, immunodepletion, or genetic deletion of Fap stabilized recombinant human FGF21 in serum. In addition, administration of a selective FAP inhibitor acutely increased circulating intact FGF21 levels in cynomolgus monkeys. On the basis of our findings, we propose selective FAP inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach to increase endogenous FGF21 activity for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and related metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Justin Ly
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, and
| | - Daniel P Sutherlin
- Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080
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46
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Wong PF, Gall MG, Bachovchin WW, McCaughan GW, Keane FM, Gorrell MD. Neuropeptide Y is a physiological substrate of fibroblast activation protein: Enzyme kinetics in blood plasma and expression of Y2R and Y5R in human liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Peptides 2016; 75:80-95. [PMID: 26621486 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) and endopeptidase that is weakly expressed in normal adult human tissues but is greatly up-regulated in activated mesenchymal cells of tumors and chronically injured tissue. The identities and locations of target substrates of FAP are poorly defined, in contrast to the related protease DPP4. This study is the first to characterize the physiological substrate repertoire of the DPP activity of endogenous FAP present in plasma. Four substrates, neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY, B-type natriuretic peptide and substance P, were analyzed by mass spectrometry following proteolysis in human or mouse plasma, and by in vivo localization in human liver tissues with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NPY was the most efficiently cleaved substrate of both human and mouse FAP, whereas all four peptides were efficiently cleaved by endogenous DPP4, indicating that the in vivo degradomes of FAP and DPP4 differ. All detectable DPP-specific proteolysis and C-terminal processing of these neuropeptides was attributable to FAP and DPP4, and plasma kallikrein, respectively, highlighting their combined physiological significance in the regulation of these neuropeptides. In cirrhotic liver and HCC, NPY and its receptor Y2R, but not Y5R, were increased in hepatocytes near the parenchymal-stromal interface where there is an opportunity to interact with FAP expressed on nearby activated mesenchymal cells in the stroma. These novel findings provide insights into the substrate specificity of FAP, which differs greatly from DPP4, and reveal a potential function for FAP in neuropeptide regulation within liver and cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pok Fai Wong
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Margaret G Gall
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - William W Bachovchin
- Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Fiona M Keane
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Mark D Gorrell
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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47
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Fan MH, Zhu Q, Li HH, Ra HJ, Majumdar S, Gulick DL, Jerome JA, Madsen DH, Christofidou-Solomidou M, Speicher DW, Bachovchin WW, Feghali-Bostwick C, Puré E. Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) Accelerates Collagen Degradation and Clearance from Lungs in Mice. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:8070-89. [PMID: 26663085 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.701433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a disease characterized by progressive, unrelenting lung scarring, with death from respiratory failure within 2-4 years unless lung transplantation is performed. New effective therapies are clearly needed. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a cell surface-associated serine protease up-regulated in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as well as in wound healing and cancer. We postulate that FAP is not only a marker of disease but influences the development of pulmonary fibrosis after lung injury. In two different models of pulmonary fibrosis, intratracheal bleomycin instillation and thoracic irradiation, we find increased mortality and increased lung fibrosis in FAP-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Lung extracellular matrix analysis reveals accumulation of intermediate-sized collagen fragments in FAP-deficient mouse lungs, consistent within vitrostudies showing that FAP mediates ordered proteolytic processing of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-derived collagen cleavage products. FAP-mediated collagen processing leads to increased collagen internalization without altering expression of the endocytic collagen receptor, Endo180. Pharmacologic FAP inhibition decreases collagen internalization as expected. Conversely, restoration of FAP expression in the lungs of FAP-deficient mice decreases lung hydroxyproline content after intratracheal bleomycin to levels comparable with that of wild-type controls. Our findings indicate that FAP participates directly, in concert with MMPs, in collagen catabolism and clearance and is an important factor in resolving scar after injury and restoring lung homeostasis. Our study identifies FAP as a novel endogenous regulator of fibrosis and is the first to show FAP's protective effects in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hui Fan
- From the Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213,
| | - Qiang Zhu
- the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Hui-Hua Li
- From the Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| | | | | | - Dexter L Gulick
- From the Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| | - Jacob A Jerome
- From the Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| | - Daniel H Madsen
- the Proteases and Tissue Remodeling Section, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch, NIDCR, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | | | | | - William W Bachovchin
- the Sackler School of Biomedical Graduate Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, and
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Ellen Puré
- the Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
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48
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Fibroblast activation protein alpha expression identifies activated fibroblasts after myocardial infarction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2015; 87:194-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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49
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Kawase T, Yasui Y, Nishina S, Hara Y, Yanatori I, Tomiyama Y, Nakashima Y, Yoshida K, Kishi F, Nakamura M, Hino K. Fibroblast activation protein-α-expressing fibroblasts promote the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. BMC Gastroenterol 2015; 15:109. [PMID: 26330349 PMCID: PMC4556412 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-015-0340-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an extensive desmoplastic stromal response. Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is best known for its presence in stromal cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Our aim was to assess whether FAP expression was associated with the prognosis of patients with PDAC and to investigate how FAP expressing CAFs contribute to the progression of PDAC. METHODS FAP expression was immunohistochemically assessed in 48 PDAC specimens. We also generated a fibroblastic cell line stably expressing FAP, and examined the effect of FAP-expressing fibroblasts on invasiveness and the cell cycle in MiaPaCa-2 cells (a pancreatic cancer cell line). RESULTS Stromal FAP expression was detected in 98% (47/48) of the specimens of PDAC, with the intensity being weak in 16, moderate in 19, and strong in 12 specimens, but was not detected in the 3 control noncancerous pancreatic specimens. Patients with moderate or strong FAP expression had significantly lower cumulative survival rates than those with negative or weak FAP expression (mean survival time; 352 vs. 497 days, P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis identified moderate to strong expression of FAP as one of the factors associated with the prognosis in patients with PDAC. The intensity of stromal FAP expression was also positively correlated to the histological differentiation of PDAC (P < 0.05). FAP-expressing fibroblasts promoted the invasiveness of MiaPaCa-2 cells more intensively than fibroblasts not expressing FAP. Coculture with FAP-expressing fibroblasts significantly activated cell cycle shift in MiaPaCa-2 cells compared to coculture with fibroblasts not expressing FAP. Furthermore, coculture with FAP expressing fibroblasts inactivated retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, an inhibitor of cell cycle progression, in MiaPaCa-2 cells by promoting phosphorylation of Rb. CONCLUSIONS The present in vitro results and the association of FAP expression with clinical outcomes provide us with a better understanding of the effect of FAP-expressing CAFs on the progression of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Kawase
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Yumiko Yasui
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan.
| | - Sohji Nishina
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Yuichi Hara
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Izumi Yanatori
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan.
| | - Yasuyuki Tomiyama
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Nakashima
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Koji Yoshida
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Fumio Kishi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan.
| | - Masafumi Nakamura
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan. .,Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyusyu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Hino
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
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50
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Koczorowska MM, Tholen S, Bucher F, Lutz L, Kizhakkedathu JN, De Wever O, Wellner UF, Biniossek ML, Stahl A, Lassmann S, Schilling O. Fibroblast activation protein-α, a stromal cell surface protease, shapes key features of cancer associated fibroblasts through proteome and degradome alterations. Mol Oncol 2015; 10:40-58. [PMID: 26304112 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute an abundant stromal component of most solid tumors. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) α is a cell surface protease that is expressed by CAFs. We corroborate this expression profile by immunohistochemical analysis of colorectal cancer specimens. To better understand the tumor-contextual role of FAPα, we investigate how FAPα shapes functional and proteomic features of CAFs using loss- and gain-of function cellular model systems. FAPα activity has a strong impact on the secreted CAF proteome ("secretome"), including reduced levels of anti-angiogenic factors, elevated levels of transforming growth factor (TGF) β, and an impact on matrix processing enzymes. Functionally, FAPα mildly induces sprout formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Moreover, loss of FAPα leads to a more epithelial cellular phenotype and this effect was rescued by exogenous application of TGFβ. In collagen contraction assays, FAPα induced a more contractile cellular phenotype. To characterize the proteolytic profile of FAPα, we investigated its specificity with proteome-derived peptide libraries and corroborated its preference for cleavage carboxy-terminal to proline residues. By "terminal amine labeling of substrates" (TAILS) we explored FAPα-dependent cleavage events. Although FAPα acts predominantly as an amino-dipeptidase, putative FAPα cleavage sites in collagens are present throughout the entire protein length. In contrast, putative FAPα cleavage sites in non-collagenous proteins cluster at the amino-terminus. The degradomic study highlights cell-contextual proteolysis by FAPα with distinct positional profiles. Generally, our findings link FAPα to key aspects of CAF biology and attribute an important role in tumor-stroma interaction to FAPα.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Koczorowska
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - S Tholen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - F Bucher
- University Eye Hospital Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - L Lutz
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - J N Kizhakkedathu
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - O De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, 1P7, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - U F Wellner
- Clinic for Surgery, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - M L Biniossek
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - A Stahl
- University Eye Hospital Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - S Lassmann
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - O Schilling
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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