1
|
Zeltz C, Navab R, Heljasvaara R, Kusche-Gullberg M, Lu N, Tsao MS, Gullberg D. Integrin α11β1 in tumor fibrosis: more than just another cancer-associated fibroblast biomarker? J Cell Commun Signal 2022; 16:649-660. [PMID: 35378690 PMCID: PMC8978763 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00673-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently an increased interest in understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in tumor growth and progression. In this context the role of integrins in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) will need to be carefully re-evaluated. Fibroblast-derived cells are not only in the focus in tumors, but also in tissue fibrosis as well as in inflammatory conditions. The recent transcriptional profiling of what has been called "the pan-fibroblast cell lineage" in mouse and human tissues has identified novel transcriptional biomarker mRNAs encoding the secreted ECM proteins dermatopontin and collagen XV as well as the phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein Pi16. Some of the genes identified in these fibroblasts scRNA-seq datasets will be useful for rigorous comparative characterizations of fibroblast-derived cell subpopulations. At the same time, it will be a challenge in the coming years to validate these transcriptional mRNA datasets at the protein-(expression) and at tissue-(distribution) levels and to find useful protein biomarker reagents that will facilitate fibroblast profiling at the cell level. In the current review we will focus on the role of the collagen-binding integrin α11β1 in CAFs, summarizing our own work as well as published datasets with information on α11 mRNA expression in selected tumors. Our experimental data suggest that α11β1 is more than just another biomarker and that it as a functional collagen receptor in the TME is playing a central role in regulating collagen assembly and matrix remodeling, which in turn impact tumor growth and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Zeltz
- Department of Biomedicine, Matrix Biology Group, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Roya Navab
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ritva Heljasvaara
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marion Kusche-Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Matrix Biology Group, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ning Lu
- Department of Biomedicine, Matrix Biology Group, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ming-Sound Tsao
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Donald Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Matrix Biology Group, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Canadian Contributions in Fibroblast Biology. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152272. [PMID: 35892569 PMCID: PMC9331635 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are stromal cells found in virtually every tissue and organ of the body. For many years, these cells were often considered to be secondary in functional importance to parenchymal cells. Over the past 2 decades, focused research into the roles of fibroblasts has revealed important roles for these cells in the homeostasis of healthy tissue, and has demonstrated that activation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is a key step in disease initiation and progression in many tissues, with fibrosis now recognized as not only an outcome of disease, but also a central contributor to tissue dysfunction, particularly in the heart and lungs. With a growing understanding of both fibroblast and myofibroblast heterogeneity, and the deciphering of the humoral and mechanical cues that impact the phenotype of these cells, fibroblast biology is rapidly becoming a major focus in biomedical research. In this review, we provide an overview of fibroblast and myofibroblast biology, particularly in the heart, and including a discussion of pathophysiological processes such as fibrosis and scarring. We then discuss the central role of Canadian researchers in moving this field forwards, particularly in cardiac fibrosis, and highlight some of the major contributions of these individuals to our understanding of fibroblast and myofibroblast biology in health and disease.
Collapse
|
3
|
Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote oral squamous cell carcinoma progression through LOX-mediated matrix stiffness. J Transl Med 2021; 19:513. [PMID: 34930321 PMCID: PMC8686394 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03181-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant cells in the tumor microenvironment, have prominent roles in the development of solid tumors as stromal targets. However, the underlying mechanism of CAFs’ function in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression in CAFs in tumor stromal remodeling and the mechanism of its effect on OSCC progression. Methods Multiple immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to detect the correlation of CAFs and LOX in the stroma of OSCC specimens, as well as the correlation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. The expression of LOX in CAFs were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. The effects of LOX in CAFs on the biological characteristics of OSCC cell line were investigated using CCK-8, wound-healing and transwell assay. CAFs were co-cultured with type I collagen in vitro, and collagen contraction test, microstructure observation and rheometer were used to detect the effect of CAFs on remodeling collagen matrix. Then, collagen with different stiffness were established to investigate the effect of matrix stiffness on the progression of OSCC. Moreover, we used focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation inhibitors to explored whether the increase in matrix stiffness promote the progression of OSCC through activating FAK phosphorylation pathway. Results LOX was colocalized with CAFs in the stroma of OSCC tissues, and its expression was significantly related to the degree of malignant differentiation and poor prognosis in OSCC. LOX was highly expressed in CAFs, and its knockdown impaired the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT process of OSCC cells. The expression of LOX in CAFs can catalyze collagen crosslinking and increase matrix stiffness. Furthermore, CAFs-derived LOX-mediated increase in collagen stiffness induced morphological changes and promoted invasion and EMT process in OSCC cells by activating FAK phosphorylation pathway. Conclusions Our findings suggest that CAFs highly express LOX in the stroma of OSCC and can remodel the matrix collagen microenvironment, and the increase in matrix stiffness mediated by CAFs-derived LOX promotes OSCC development through FAK phosphorylation pathway. Thus, LOX may be a potential target for the early diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of OSCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03181-x.
Collapse
|
4
|
Nicin L, Wagner JUG, Luxán G, Dimmeler S. Fibroblast-mediated intercellular crosstalk in the healthy and diseased heart. FEBS Lett 2021; 596:638-654. [PMID: 34787896 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts constitute a major cell population in the heart. They secrete extracellular matrix components and various other factors shaping the microenvironment of the heart. In silico analysis of intercellular communication based on single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that fibroblasts are the source of the majority of outgoing signals to other cell types. This observation suggests that fibroblasts play key roles in orchestrating cellular interactions that maintain organ homeostasis but that can also contribute to disease states. Here, we will review the current knowledge of fibroblast interactions in the healthy, diseased, and aging heart. We focus on the interactions that fibroblasts establish with other cells of the heart, specifically cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and immune cells, and particularly those relying on paracrine, electrical, and exosomal communication modes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luka Nicin
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Julian U G Wagner
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Guillermo Luxán
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Qi C, Wang D, Gong X, Zhou Q, Yue X, Li C, Li Z, Tian G, Zhang B, Wang Q, Wei X, Wu J. Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Capsaicin by Dual-Targeting Liposomes for Inhibition of aHSC-Induced Drug Resistance and Metastasis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:16019-16035. [PMID: 33819006 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c23137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent research studies have shown that the low survival rate of liver cancer is due to drug resistance and metastasis. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) have been proven to favor the development of liver cancer. Hence, the combination therapy dual-targeting aHSCs and tumor cells might be an effective strategy for treatment of liver cancer. In this study, the novel multifunctional liposomes (CAPS-CUR/GA&Gal-Lip) were prepared for co-delivery of curcumin (CUR) and capsaicin (CAPS), in which glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and galactose (Gal) were chosen as targeting ligands to modify the liposomes (Lip) for dual-targeting liver cancer. To mimic TME, a novel HSCs+HepG2 (human hepatoma cell line) cocultured model was established for the antitumor effect in vitro. The results showed that, compared to HepG2 cells alone, the cocultured model promoted drug resistance and migration by upregulating the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Vimentin, which were effectively inhibited by CAPS-CUR/GA&Gal-Lip. The efficacy of the in vivo antitumor was evaluated by three mice models: subcutaneous H22 (mouse hepatoma cell line) tumor-bearing mice, H22+m-HSC (mouse hepatic stellate cell) tumor-bearing mice, and orthotopic H22 cells-bearing mice. The results showed that CAPS-CUR/GA&Gal-Lip exhibited lesser extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, lesser tumor angiogenesis, and superior antitumor effect compared with the no- and/or Gal-modified Lip, which was attributed to the simultaneous blocking of the activation of HSCs and inhibition of the metastasis of tumor cells. The dual-targeting method using Lip is thus a potential strategy for liver cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Qi
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Di Wang
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Xue Gong
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Qiyang Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Xinxin Yue
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Chenglei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Guixiang Tian
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Qing Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Xiuhong Wei
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| | - Jingliang Wu
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aujla PK, Kassiri Z. Diverse origins and activation of fibroblasts in cardiac fibrosis. Cell Signal 2020; 78:109869. [PMID: 33278559 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts (cFBs) have emerged as a heterogenous cell population. Fibroblasts are considered the main cell source for synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and as such a dysregulation in cFB function, activity, or viability can lead to disrupted ECM structure or fibrosis. Fibrosis can be initiated in response to different injuries and stimuli, and can be reparative (beneficial) or reactive (damaging). FBs need to be activated to myofibroblasts (MyoFBs) which have augmented capacity in synthesizing ECM proteins, causing fibrosis. In addition to the resident FBs in the myocardium, a number of other cells (pericytes, fibrocytes, mesenchymal, and hematopoietic cells) can transform into MyoFBs, further driving the fibrotic response. Multiple molecules including hormones, cytokines, and growth factors stimulate this process leading to generation of activated MyoFBs. Contribution of different cell types to cFBs and MyoFBs can result in an exponential increase in the number of MyoFBs and an accelerated pro-fibrotic response. Given the diversity of the cell sources, and the array of interconnected signalling pathways that lead to formation of MyoFBs and subsequently fibrosis, identifying a single target to limit the fibrotic response in the myocardium has been challenging. This review article will delineate the importance and relevance of fibroblast heterogeneity in mediating fibrosis in different models of heart failure and will highlight important signalling pathways implicated in myofibroblast activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Preetinder K Aujla
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Zamaneh Kassiri
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Summers JA, Cano EM, Kaser-Eichberger A, Schroedl F. Retinoic acid synthesis by a population of choroidal stromal cells. Exp Eye Res 2020; 201:108252. [PMID: 32961175 PMCID: PMC7736536 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Choroidal all- trans -retinoic acid (atRA) may play a key role in the control of postnatal eye growth in a variety of vertebrates through modulation of scleral extracellular matrix synthesis and may therefore play a crucial role in the development of myopia. In the chick eye, choroidal atRA synthesis is exclusively regulated by its synthesizing enzyme, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (RALDH2). In chicks and humans, RALDH2 has been detected in a population of hitherto uncharacterized choroidal cells.Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the RALDH2+ cell type(s) in the choroid and determine how these cells modulate atRA concentrations during periods of visually guided eye growth. Chicks wore translucent goggles on one eye for 10 days and choroids were analyzed for RALDH activity and RALDH2 protein expression at days 0, 1, 4, 7, 15 following removal of the goggle ("recovery"); choroids from contralateral eyes served as controls. The presence of RALDH2+ cells was assessed in chick choroid wholemounts using multiphoton microscopy. RALDH2 protein expression was measured by western blot and RALDH2 activity was assessed via HPLC quantification of atRA. Cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU-labelling in combination with RALDH2-immunohistochemistry. For characterization of RALDH2+ cells, immunohistochemistry for various tissue specific markers was applied in chicken (Ia antigen, CD5, Col1-propeptide, desmin, IgY, L-Cam, Cadherin1, MHC-II; Tcr-γδ, vimentin) and human donor tissue (α-smooth-muscle-actin, CD's 31/34/68/146, desmin, IBA1, LYVE-1, PGP9.5, vimentin) followed by confocal microscopy. In the chick and human choroid, RALDH2+ cells with variable morphology were present in the stroma and adjacent to choroidal blood vessels. In chick wholemounts, RALDH2+ cells were concentrated toward the choriocapillaris, and their number increased nearly linearly between 1 and 7 days of recovery and plateaued between 7 and 15 days compared to corresponding controls. A significant increase in choroidal RALDH2 protein concentration and atRA synthetic activity was observed by four days of recovery (↑107% and ↑120%) by western blot and HPLC, respectively. A 3-fold increase in RALDH2+/BrDU+ cells was observed following 4 days of recovery compared to controls (12.43 ± 0.73% of all RALDH2+ cells in recovering eyes as compared with 4.46 ± 0.63% in control eyes, p < 0.001). In chick choroids, the vast majority of RALDH2+ cells co-expressed Col1-propetide, but did not co-label with any other antibodies tested. In human choroid, some, but not all RALDH2+ cells colocalized with vimentin, but were negative for all other antibodies tested. RALDH2+ cells represent a novel cell type in the chick and human choroid. Our findings that some human RALDH2+ cells were positive for vimentin and all chick RALDH2+ cells were positive for Col1, suggest that RALDH2+ cells most closely resemble perivascular and stromal fibroblasts. The increased number of RALDH2+/BRDU+ cells following 4 days of recovery suggests that choroidal atRA concentrations are partially controlled by proliferation of RALDH2+ cells. The identification of this choroidal cell type will provide a broader understanding of the cellular events responsible for the regulation of postnatal ocular growth, and may provide new avenues for specifically targeted strategies for the treatment of myopia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jody A Summers
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, United States.
| | - Elizabeth Martinez Cano
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, United States.
| | - Alexandra Kaser-Eichberger
- Department of Ophthalmology/Optometry, Research Program for Experimental Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, Salzburg, Austria; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Falk Schroedl
- Department of Ophthalmology/Optometry, Research Program for Experimental Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University/SALK, Salzburg, Austria; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cardiac Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Phenotype Conversion-An Unexploited Therapeutic Target. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2019; 6:jcdd6030028. [PMID: 31426390 PMCID: PMC6787657 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd6030028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis occurs when the synthesis of extracellular matrix outpaces its degradation, and over time can negatively impact tissue and organ function. In the case of cardiac fibrosis, contraction and relaxation of the heart can be impaired to the point of precipitating heart failure, while at the same time fibrosis can result in arrhythmias due to altered electrical properties of the myocardium. The critical event in the evolution of cardiac fibrosis is the phenotype conversion of cardiac fibroblasts to their overly-active counterparts, myofibroblasts: cells demarked by their expression of novel markers such as periostin, by their gain of contractile activity, and by their pronounced and prolonged increase in the production of extracellular matrix components such as collagens. The phenotype change is dramatic, and can be triggered by many stimuli, including mechanical force, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors. This review will explore fibroblast to myofibroblast transition mechanisms and will consider the therapeutic potential of targeting this process as a means to arrest or even reverse cardiac fibrosis.
Collapse
|