1
|
Wenqiang D, Novin A, Liu Y, Afzal J, Suhail Y, Liu S, Gavin NR, Jorgensen JR, Morosky CM, Figueroa R, Schmidt TA, Sanders M, Brewer MA, Kshitiz. Scar matrix drives Piezo1 mediated stromal inflammation leading to placenta accreta spectrum. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8379. [PMID: 39333481 PMCID: PMC11436960 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52351-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Scar tissue formation is a hallmark of wound repair in adults and can chronically affect tissue architecture and function. To understand the general phenomena, we sought to explore scar-driven imbalance in tissue homeostasis caused by a common, and standardized surgical procedure, the uterine scar due to cesarean surgery. Deep uterine scar is associated with a rapidly increasing condition in pregnant women, placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), characterized by aggressive trophoblast invasion into the uterus, frequently necessitating hysterectomy at parturition. We created a model of uterine scar, recapitulating PAS-like invasive phenotype, showing that scar matrix activates mechanosensitive ion channel, Piezo1, through glycolysis-fueled cellular contraction. Piezo1 activation increases intracellular calcium activity and Protein kinase C activation, leading to NF-κB nuclear translocation, and MafG stabilization. This inflammatory transformation of decidua leads to production of IL-8 and G-CSF, chemotactically recruiting invading trophoblasts towards scar, initiating PAS. Our study demonstrates aberrant mechanics of scar disturbs stroma-epithelia homeostasis in placentation, with implications in cancer dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Du Wenqiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Ashkan Novin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Yamin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Junaid Afzal
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Shaofei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Nicole R Gavin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Jennifer R Jorgensen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Christopher M Morosky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Reinaldo Figueroa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Tannin A Schmidt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Melinda Sanders
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Molly A Brewer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dong N, Gu WW, Yang L, Lian WB, Jiang J, Zhu HJ, Chen CS, Wang BB. MiR-3074-5p suppresses non-small cell lung cancer progression by targeting the YWHAZ/Hsp27 axis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112547. [PMID: 38943969 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112547] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 80% of lung cancer cases, and the 5-year survival rate of patients remains unsatisfactory. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding RNAs that are considered essential posttranscriptional regulators of tumorigenesis, including NSCLC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological role of miR-3074-5p in NSCLC cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that miR-3074-5p expression was decreased in human NSCLC specimens and cell lines. Moreover, miR-3074-5p overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, miR-3074-5p overexpression not only suppressed tumor growth but also enhanced the antitumor effect of paclitaxel (PTX) on NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. A transcriptome sequencing assay revealed genes that were differentially expressed after miR-3074-5p overexpression, and among the genes whose expression levels were most significantly decreased, tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ) was a target of miR-3074-5p. The regulatory effect of miR-3074-5p on YWHAZ expression was verified by Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The inhibition of A549 cell growth, migration and invasion was reversed by YWHAZ overexpression. Furthermore, we showed that PTX stimulated the expression of the YWHAZ and Hsp27 proteins and promoted the phosphorylation of Hsp27 (at S15 and S78). YWHAZ was confirmed to interact with Hsp27 in A549 cells, and downregulating YWHAZ expression promoted the degradation of the Hsp27 protein. Taken together, these results suggest that the miR-3074-5p/YWHAZ/Hsp27 axis may be a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nian Dong
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China
| | - Wen-Wen Gu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Long Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wen-Bo Lian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Juan Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hai-Jun Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Cheng-Shui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China.
| | - Bei-Bei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ivancevic A, Simpson DM, Joyner OM, Bagby SM, Nguyen LL, Bitler BG, Pitts TM, Chuong EB. Endogenous retroviruses mediate transcriptional rewiring in response to oncogenic signaling in colorectal cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado1218. [PMID: 39018396 PMCID: PMC466953 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells exhibit rewired transcriptional regulatory networks that promote tumor growth and survival. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation of these pathological networks remain poorly understood. Through a pan-cancer epigenomic analysis, we found that primate-specific endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are a rich source of enhancers displaying cancer-specific activity. In colorectal cancer and other epithelial tumors, oncogenic MAPK/AP1 signaling drives the activation of enhancers derived from the primate-specific ERV family LTR10. Functional studies in colorectal cancer cells revealed that LTR10 elements regulate tumor-specific expression of multiple genes associated with tumorigenesis, such as ATG12 and XRCC4. Within the human population, individual LTR10 elements exhibit germline and somatic structural variation resulting from a highly mutable internal tandem repeat region, which affects AP1 binding activity. Our findings reveal that ERV-derived enhancers contribute to transcriptional dysregulation in response to oncogenic signaling and shape the evolution of cancer-specific regulatory networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atma Ivancevic
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - David M. Simpson
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Olivia M. Joyner
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Stacey M. Bagby
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lily L. Nguyen
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ben G. Bitler
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Todd M. Pitts
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Edward B. Chuong
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tomizawa Y, Wali KH, Surti M, Suhail Y, Kshitiz, Hoshino K. Lightsheet microscopy integrates single-cell optical visco-elastography and fluorescence cytometry of 3D live tissues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.20.590392. [PMID: 38766194 PMCID: PMC11100606 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.20.590392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Most common cytometry methods, including flow cytometry, observe suspended or fixed cells and cannot evaluate their structural roles in 3D tissues. However, cellular physical interactions are critical in physiological, developmental, and pathological processes. Here, we present a novel optical visco-elastography that characterizes single-cellular physical interactions by applying in-situ micro-mechanical perturbation to live microtissues under 3D lightsheet microscopy. The 4D digital image correlation (DIC) analysis of ~20,000 nodes tracked the compressive deformation of 3D tissues containing ~500 cells. The computational 3D image segmentation allowed cell-by-cell qualitative observation and statistical analysis, directly correlating multi-channel fluorescence and viscoelasticity. To represent epithelia-stroma interactions, we used a 3D organoid model of maternal-fetal interface and visualized solid-like, well-aligned displacement and liquid-like random motion between individual cells. The statistical analysis through our unique cytometry confirmed that endometrial stromal fibroblasts stiffen in response to decidualization. Moreover, we demonstrated in the 3D model that interaction with placental extravillous trophoblasts partially reverses the attained stiffness, which was supported by the gene expression analysis. Placentation shares critical cellular and molecular significance with various fundamental biological events such as cancer metastasis, wound healing, and gastrulation. Our analysis confirmed existing beliefs and discovered new insights, proving the broad applicability of our method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Tomizawa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Khadija H Wali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Manav Surti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT
| | - Kazunori Hoshino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, CT
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Khorami-Sarvestani S, Vanaki N, Shojaeian S, Zarnani K, Stensballe A, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Zarnani AH. Placenta: an old organ with new functions. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385762. [PMID: 38707901 PMCID: PMC11066266 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385762] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The transition from oviparity to viviparity and the establishment of feto-maternal communications introduced the placenta as the major anatomical site to provide nutrients, gases, and hormones to the developing fetus. The placenta has endocrine functions, orchestrates maternal adaptations to pregnancy at different periods of pregnancy, and acts as a selective barrier to minimize exposure of developing fetus to xenobiotics, pathogens, and parasites. Despite the fact that this ancient organ is central for establishment of a normal pregnancy in eutherians, the placenta remains one of the least studied organs. The first step of pregnancy, embryo implantation, is finely regulated by the trophoectoderm, the precursor of all trophoblast cells. There is a bidirectional communication between placenta and endometrium leading to decidualization, a critical step for maintenance of pregnancy. There are three-direction interactions between the placenta, maternal immune cells, and the endometrium for adaptation of endometrial immune system to the allogeneic fetus. While 65% of all systemically expressed human proteins have been found in the placenta tissues, it expresses numerous placenta-specific proteins, whose expression are dramatically changed in gestational diseases and could serve as biomarkers for early detection of gestational diseases. Surprisingly, placentation and carcinogenesis exhibit numerous shared features in metabolism and cell behavior, proteins and molecular signatures, signaling pathways, and tissue microenvironment, which proposes the concept of "cancer as ectopic trophoblastic cells". By extensive researches in this novel field, a handful of cancer biomarkers has been discovered. This review paper, which has been inspired in part by our extensive experiences during the past couple of years, highlights new aspects of placental functions with emphasis on its immunomodulatory role in establishment of a successful pregnancy and on a potential link between placentation and carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Khorami-Sarvestani
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Vanaki
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sorour Shojaeian
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Kayhan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Allan Stensballe
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kong X, Li R, Chen M, Zheng R, Wang J, Sun C, Qu Y. Endogenous retrovirus HERVH-derived lncRNA UCA1 controls human trophoblast development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2318176121. [PMID: 38483994 PMCID: PMC10962953 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318176121] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are frequently reactivated in mammalian placenta. It has been proposed that ERVs contribute to shaping the gene regulatory network of mammalian trophoblasts, dominantly acting as species- and placental-specific enhancers. However, whether and how ERVs control human trophoblast development through alternative pathways remains poorly understood. Besides the well-recognized function of human endogenous retrovirus-H (HERVH) in maintaining pluripotency of early human epiblast, here we present a unique role of HERVH on trophoblast lineage development. We found that the LTR7C/HERVH subfamily exhibits an accessible chromatin state in the human trophoblast lineage. Particularly, the LTR7C/HERVH-derived Urothelial Cancer Associated 1 (UCA1), a primate-specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), is transcribed in human trophoblasts and promotes the proliferation of human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), whereas its ectopic expression compromises human trophoblast syncytialization coinciding with increased interferon signaling pathway. Importantly, UCA1 upregulation is detectable in placental samples from early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE) patients and the transcriptome of EO-PE placenta exhibits considerable similarities to that of the syncytiotrophoblasts differentiated from UCA1-overexpressing hTSCs, supporting up-regulated UCA1 as a potential biomarker of this disease. Altogether, our data shed light on the versatile regulatory role of HERVH in early human development and provide a unique mechanism whereby ERVs exert a function in human placentation and placental syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Kong
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Ruiqi Li
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of Kapok, Hainan571400, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510120, China
- The First People’s Hospital of Kashgar, Kashgar844000, China
| | - Manqi Chen
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Rongyan Zheng
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Jichang Wang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Chuanbo Sun
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou510623, China
| | - Yuliang Qu
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Laundon D, Sengers BG, Thompson J, Harris SE, Beasley O, Basford PJ, Katsamenis OL, Goggin P, Derisoud E, Fanelli D, Bocci C, Camillo F, Shotton J, Constable-Dakeyne G, Gostling NJ, Chavatte-Palmer P, Lewis RM. Convergently evolved placental villi show multiscale structural adaptations to differential placental invasiveness. Biol Lett 2024; 20:20240016. [PMID: 38531417 PMCID: PMC10965330 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite having a single evolutionary origin and conserved function, the mammalian placenta exhibits radical structural diversity. The evolutionary drivers and functional consequences of placental structural diversity are poorly understood. Humans and equids both display treelike placental villi, however these villi evolved independently and exhibit starkly different levels of invasiveness into maternal tissue (i.e. the number of maternal tissue layers between placental tissue and maternal blood). The villi in these species therefore serve as a compelling evolutionary case study to explore whether placentas have developed structural adaptations to respond to the challenge of reduced nutrient availability in less invasive placentas. Here, we use three-dimensional X-ray microfocus computed tomography and electron microscopy to quantitatively evaluate key structures involved in exchange in human and equid placental villi. We find that equid villi have a higher surface area to volume ratio and deeper trophoblastic vessel indentation than human villi. Using illustrative computational models, we propose that these structural adaptations have evolved in equids to boost nutrient transfer to compensate for reduced invasiveness into maternal tissue. We discuss these findings in relation to the 'maternal-fetal conflict hypothesis' of placental evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davis Laundon
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Bram G. Sengers
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - James Thompson
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Shelley E. Harris
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Olivia Beasley
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Rd, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Philip J. Basford
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Orestis L. Katsamenis
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Patricia Goggin
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Emilie Derisoud
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Diana Fanelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Via Livornese lato monte, 56121 San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlotta Bocci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Via Livornese lato monte, 56121 San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Camillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Via Livornese lato monte, 56121 San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | - Justine Shotton
- Marwell Wildlife, Thompson's Lane, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH, UK
| | | | - Neil J. Gostling
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Rd, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Rohan M. Lewis
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dighe A, Maziarz J, Ibrahim-Hashim A, Gatenby RA, Kshitiz, Levchenko A, Wagner GP. Experimental and phylogenetic evidence for correlated gene expression evolution in endometrial and skin fibroblasts. iScience 2024; 27:108593. [PMID: 38174318 PMCID: PMC10762354 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene expression change is a dominant mode of evolution. Mutations, however, can affect gene expression in multiple cell types. Therefore, gene expression evolution in one cell type can lead to similar gene expression changes in another cell type. Here, we test this hypothesis by investigating dermal skin fibroblasts (SFs) and uterine endometrial stromal fibroblasts (ESFs). The comparative dataset consists of transcriptomes from cultured SF and ESF of nine mammalian species. We find that evolutionary changes in gene expression in SF and ESF are highly correlated. The experimental dataset derives from a SCID mouse strain selected for slow cancer growth leading to substantial gene expression changes in SFs. We compared the gene expression profiles of SF with that of ESF and found a significant correlation between them. We discuss the implications of these findings for the evolutionary correlation between placental invasiveness and vulnerability to metastatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anasuya Dighe
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jamie Maziarz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Kshitiz
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Günter P. Wagner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassi Platz 1, Vienna A-1030, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhang X, Li X, Tan X, Deng L, Zhong L, Wei C, Ruan H, Lu Y, Pang L. miR-146b-5p downregulates IRAK1 and ADAM19 to suppress trophoblast proliferation, invasion, and migration in miscarriage†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:938-953. [PMID: 37676254 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad112] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A large proportion of miscarriages are classified as unexplained miscarriages since no cause is identified. No reliable biomarkers or treatments are available for these pregnancy losses. While our transcriptomic sequencing has revealed substantial upregulation of miR-146b-5p in unexplained miscarriage villous tissues, its role and associated molecular processes have yet to be fully characterized. Our work revealed that relative to samples from normal pregnancy, miR-146b-5p was significantly elevated in villous tissues from unexplained miscarriage patients and displayed promising diagnostic potential. Moreover, miR-146b-5p agomir contributed to higher rates of embryonic resorption in ICR mice. When overexpressed in HTR-8/SVneo cells, miR-146b-5p attenuated the proliferative, invasive, and migratory activity of these cells while suppressing the expression of MMP9 and immune inflammation-associated cytokines, including IL1B, IL11, CXCL1, CXCL8, and CXCL12. Conversely, inhibition of its expression enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Mechanistically, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 19 were identified as miR-146b-5p targets regulating trophoblast function, and silencing IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 had similar effects as miR-146b-5p overexpression, while IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 overexpression could partially reverse the inhibitory impact of this microRNA on trophoblasts. miR-146b-5p may inhibit trophoblast proliferation, migration, invasion, and implantation-associated inflammation by downregulating IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 19, participating in the pathogenesis of miscarriage and providing a critical biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for unexplained miscarriage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xueyu Li
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xuemei Tan
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lingjie Deng
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Linlin Zhong
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Changqiang Wei
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Heyun Ruan
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yebin Lu
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lihong Pang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High-Frequency Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang P, Zhao C, Zhou H, Huang X, Ying H, Zhang S, Pan Y, Zhu H. Dysregulation of Histone Deacetylases Inhibits Trophoblast Growth during Early Placental Development Partially through TFEB-Dependent Autophagy-Lysosomal Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11899. [PMID: 37569278 PMCID: PMC10418899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511899] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated biological behaviors of trophoblast cells can result in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA)-whose underlying etiology still remains insufficient. Autophagy, a conserved intracellular physiological process, is precisely monitored throughout whole pregnancy. Although the exact mechanism or role remains elusive, epigenetic modification has emerged as an important process. Herein, we found that a proportion of RSA patients exhibited higher levels of autophagy in villus tissues compared to controls, accompanied with impaired histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression. The purpose of this study is to explore the connection between HDACs and autophagy in the pathological course of RSA. Mechanistically, using human trophoblast cell models, treatment with HDAC inhibitor (HDACI)-trichostatin A (TSA) can induce autophagy by promoting nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of the central autophagic regulator transcription factor EB (TFEB). Specifically, overactivated autophagy is involved in the TSA-driven growth inhibition of trophoblast, which can be partially reversed by the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or RNA interference of TFEB. In summary, our results reveal that abnormal acetylation and autophagy levels during early gestation may be associated with RSA and suggest the potential novel molecular target TFEB for RSA treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Wang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Chenqiong Zhao
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Hanjing Zhou
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Xiaona Huang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Hanqi Ying
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Songying Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Yibin Pan
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Haiyan Zhu
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310016, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dujon AM, Vincze O, Lemaitre JF, Alix-Panabières C, Pujol P, Giraudeau M, Ujvari B, Thomas F. The effect of placentation type, litter size, lactation and gestation length on cancer risk in mammals. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230940. [PMID: 37357861 PMCID: PMC10291710 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is a central activity for all living organisms but is also associated with a diversity of costs that are detrimental for survival. Until recently, the cost of cancer as a selective force has been poorly considered. Considering 191 mammal species, we found cancer mortality was more likely to be detected in species having large, rather than low, litter sizes and long lactation lengths regardless of the placentation types. However, increasing litter size and gestation length are not per se associated with an enhanced cancer mortality risk. Contrary to basic theoretical expectations, the species with the highest cancer mortality were not those with the most invasive (i.e. haemochorial) placentation, but those with a moderately invasive (i.e. endotheliochorial) one. Overall, these results suggest that (i) high reproductive efforts favour oncogenic processes' dynamics, presumably because of trade-offs between allocation in reproduction effort and anti-cancer defences, (ii) cancer defence mechanisms in animals are most often adjusted to align reproductive lifespan, and (iii) malignant cells co-opt existing molecular and physiological pathways for placentation, but species with the most invasive placentation have also selected for potent barriers against lethal cancers. This work suggests that the logic of Peto's paradox seems to be applicable to other traits that promote tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M. Dujon
- Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Debrecen, Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jean-François Lemaitre
- CNRS, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Pujol
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- Littoral Environnement Et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266,CNRS- La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ma Y, Hu Y, Ma J. Animal models of the placenta accreta spectrum: current status and further perspectives. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1118168. [PMID: 37223034 PMCID: PMC10200980 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1118168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Placenta accreta spectrum disorder (PAS) is a kind of disease of placentation defined as abnormal trophoblast invasion of part or all of the placenta into the myometrium, even penetrating the uterus. Decidual deficiency, abnormal vascular remodeling in the maternal-fetal interface, and excessive invasion by extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells contribute to its onset. However, the mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying such phenotypes are not fully understood, partly due to the lack of suitable experimental animal models. Appropriate animal models will facilitate the comprehensive and systematic elucidation of the pathogenesis of PAS. Due to the remarkably similar functional placental villous units and hemochorial placentation to humans, the current animal models of PAS are based on mice. There are various mouse models induced by uterine surgery to simulate different phenotypes of PAS, such as excessive invasion of EVT or immune disturbance at the maternal-fetal interface, which could define the pathological mechanism of PAS from the perspective of the "soil." Additionally, genetically modified mouse models could be used to study PAS, which is helpful to exploring the pathogenesis of PAS from the perspectives of both "soil" and "seed," respectively. This review details early placental development in mice, with a focus on the approaches of PAS modeling. Additionally, the strengths, limitations and the applicability of each strategy and further perspectives are summarized to provide the theoretical foundation for researchers to select appropriate animal models for various research purposes. This will help better determine the pathogenesis of PAS and even promote possible therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongdan Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yongyan Hu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingmei Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhou J, Tian Y, Qu Y, Williams M, Yuan Y, Karvas RM, Sheridan MA, Schulz LC, Ezashi T, Roberts MR, Schust DJ. The immune checkpoint molecule, VTCN1/B7-H4, guides differentiation and suppresses proinflammatory responses and MHC class I expression in an embryonic stem cell-derived model of human trophoblast. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1069395. [PMID: 37008954 PMCID: PMC10062451 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1069395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta acts as a protective barrier to pathogens and other harmful substances present in the maternal circulation throughout pregnancy. Disruption of placental development can lead to complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm birth. In previous work, we have shown that expression of the immune checkpoint regulator, B7-H4/VTCN1, is increased upon differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to an in vitro model of primitive trophoblast (TB), that VTCN1/B7-H4 is expressed in first trimester but not term human placenta and that primitive trophoblast may be uniquely susceptible to certain pathogens. Here we report on the role of VTCN1 in trophoblast lineage development and anti-viral responses and the effects of changes in these processes on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression and peripheral NK cell phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Yuchen Tian
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ying Qu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Madyson Williams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ye Yuan
- Research Department, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, United States
| | - Rowan M. Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Megan A. Sheridan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Laura C. Schulz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Research Department, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, United States
| | - Michael R. Roberts
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Danny J. Schust
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cancer Is Associated with the Emergence of Placenta-Reactive Autoantibodies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020316. [PMID: 36830854 PMCID: PMC9953527 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Placenta-specific antigens are minimally expressed or unexpressed in normal adult tissues, while they are widely expressed in cancer. In the course of carcinogenesis, a vast array of autoantibodies (AAbs) is produced. Here, we used a quantitative approach to determine the reactivity of AAbs in the sera of patients with breast (BrC: N = 100, 100% female, median age: 51 years), gastric (GC: N = 30, 46.6% female, median age: 57 years), bladder (BC: N = 29, 34.4% female, median age: 57 years), and colorectal (CRC: N = 34, 41.1% female, median age: 51 years) cancers against first-trimester (FTP) and full-term placental proteome (TP) in comparison with age- and sex-matched non-cancer individuals. Human-on-human immunohistochemistry was used to determine reactive target cells in FTP. The effect of pregnancy on the emergence of placenta-reactive autoantibodies was tested using sera from pregnant women at different trimesters of pregnancy. Except for BC, patients with BrC (p < 0.0284), GC (p < 0.0002), and CRC (p < 0.0007) had significantly higher levels of placenta-reactive AAbs. BrC (p < 0.0001) and BC (p < 0.0409) in the early stages triggered higher autoantibody reactivity against FTP. The reactivities of BrC sera with FTP did not show an association with ER, PR, or HER2 expression. Pregnancy in the third trimester was associated with the induction of TP- and not FTP-reactive autoantibodies (=0.018). The reactivity of BrC sera with placental proteins was found to be independent of gravidity or abortion. BrC sera showed a very strong and specific pattern of reactivity with scattered cells beneath the syncytiotrophoblast layer. Our results reinforce the concept of the coevolution of placentation and cancer and shed light on the future clinical application of the placental proteome for the non-invasive early detection and treatment of cancer.
Collapse
|
15
|
Evo-devo perspectives on cancer. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:797-815. [PMID: 36250956 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The integration of evolutionary and developmental approaches into the field of evolutionary developmental biology has opened new areas of inquiry- from understanding the evolution of development and its underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms to addressing the role of development in evolution. For the last several decades, the terms 'evolution' and 'development' have been increasingly linked to cancer, in many different frameworks and contexts. This mini-review, as part of a special issue on Evolutionary Developmental Biology, discusses the main areas in cancer research that have been addressed through the lenses of both evolutionary and developmental biology, though not always fully or explicitly integrated in an evo-devo framework. First, it briefly introduces the current views on carcinogenesis that invoke evolutionary and/or developmental perspectives. Then, it discusses the main mechanisms proposed to have specifically evolved to suppress cancer during the evolution of multicellularity. Lastly, it considers whether the evolution of multicellularity and development was shaped by the threat of cancer (a cancer-evo-devo perspective), and/or whether the evolution of developmental programs and life history traits can shape cancer resistance/risk in various lineages (an evo-devo-cancer perspective). A proper evolutionary developmental framework for cancer, both as a disease and in terms of its natural history (in the context of the evolution of multicellularity and development as well as life history traits), could bridge the currently disparate evolutionary and developmental perspectives and uncover aspects that will provide new insights for cancer prevention and treatment.
Collapse
|
16
|
Pavličev M, Wagner GP. The value of broad taxonomic comparisons in evolutionary medicine: Disease is not a trait but a state of a trait! MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e174. [PMID: 36186235 PMCID: PMC9495303 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In this short paper, we argue that there is a fundamental connection between the medical sciences and evolutionary biology as both are sciences of biological variation. Medicine studies pathological variation among humans (and domestic animals in veterinary medicine) and evolutionary biology studies variation within and among species in general. A key principle of evolutionary biology is that genetic differences among species have arisen first from mutations originating within populations. This implies a mechanistic continuity between variation among individuals within a species and variation between species. This fact motivates research that seeks to leverage comparisons among species to unravel the genetic basis of human disease vulnerabilities. This view also implies that genetically caused diseases can be understood as extreme states of an underlying trait, that is, an axis of variation, rather than distinct traits, as often assumed in GWAS studies. We illustrate these points with a number of examples as diverse as anatomical birth defects, cranio-facial variation, preeclampsia and vulnerability to metastatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Pavličev
- Department of Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Günter P. Wagner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Yale Systems Biology InstituteYale UniversityWest HavenConnecticutUSA
- Department of ObstetricsGynecology and Reproductive SciencesYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyWayne State UniversityDetroitMichiganUSA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ba Q, Hei Y, Dighe A, Li W, Maziarz J, Pak I, Wang S, Wagner GP, Liu Y. Proteotype coevolution and quantitative diversity across 11 mammalian species. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0756. [PMID: 36083897 PMCID: PMC9462687 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary profiling has been largely limited to the nucleotide level. Using consistent proteomic methods, we quantified proteomic and phosphoproteomic layers in fibroblasts from 11 common mammalian species, with transcriptomes as reference. Covariation analysis indicates that transcript and protein expression levels and variabilities across mammals remarkably follow functional role, with extracellular matrix-associated expression being the most variable, demonstrating strong transcriptome-proteome coevolution. The biological variability of gene expression is universal at both interindividual and interspecies scales but to a different extent. RNA metabolic processes particularly show higher interspecies versus interindividual variation. Our results further indicate that while the ubiquitin-proteasome system is strongly conserved in mammals, lysosome-mediated protein degradation exhibits remarkable variation between mammalian lineages. In addition, the phosphosite profiles reveal a phosphorylation coevolution network independent of protein abundance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ba
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Hei
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Anasuya Dighe
- Yale Systems Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Wenxue Li
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Jamie Maziarz
- Yale Systems Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Irene Pak
- Yale Systems Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shisheng Wang
- West China-Washington Mitochondria and Metabolism Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Günter P. Wagner
- Yale Systems Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Yansheng Liu
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Afzal J, Du W, Novin A, Liu Y, Wali K, Murthy A, Garen A, Wagner G. Paracrine HB-EGF signaling reduce enhanced contractile and energetic state of activated decidual fibroblasts by rebalancing SRF-MRTF-TCF transcriptional axis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:927631. [PMID: 36147738 PMCID: PMC9485834 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.927631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple parallels exist between placentation and cancer dissemination at molecular, cellular, and anatomical levels, presenting placentation as a unique model to mechanistically understand the onset of cancer metastasis. In humans, interaction of placenta and the endometrium results eventually in deep invasion of placental extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) into the maternal stroma, a process similar to stromal trespass by disseminating carcinoma cells. In anticipation of implantation, endometrial fibroblasts (ESFs) undergo a process called decidualization during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Decidualization, among other substantial changes associated with ESF differentiation, also involves a component of fibroblast activation, and myofibroblast transformation. Here, using traction force microscopy, we show that increased cellular contractility in decidualized ESFs is reversed after interaction with EVTs. We also report here the large changes in energetic state of ESFs upon decidualization, showing increased oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial competency and ATP generation, as well as enhanced aerobic glycolysis, presenting mechanical contractility and energetic state as new functional hallmarks for decidualization. These energetic changes accompanying the marked increase in contractile force generation in decidualization were reduced in the presence of EVTs. We also show that increase in decidual contractility and mechanical resistance to invasion is achieved by SRF-MRTF transcriptional activation, achieved via increased phosphorylation of fibroblast-specific myosin light chain 9 (MYL9). EVT induced paracrine secretion of Heparin Binding Epidermal Growth Factor (HBEGF), a potent MAPK activator, which shifts the balance of SRF association away from MRTF based transcription, reducing decidual ESF contractility and mechanical resistance to placental invasion. Our results identify a new axis of intercellular communication in the placental bed modulating stromal force generation and resistance to invasion with concurrent downregulation of cellular energetics. These findings have important implications for implantation related disorders, as well as stromal control of cancer dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Afzal
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Junaid Afzal, ; Kshitiz,
| | - Wenqiang Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Ashkan Novin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Yamin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Khadija Wali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Anarghya Murthy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Ashley Garen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Gunter Wagner
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Yale University West Campus, West Haven, CT, United States
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Plianchaisuk A, Kusama K, Kato K, Sriswasdi S, Tamura K, Iwasaki W. Origination of LTR Retroelement-Derived NYNRIN Coincides with Therian Placental Emergence. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:msac176. [PMID: 35959649 PMCID: PMC9447858 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the placenta is a revolutionary event in the evolution of therian mammals, to which some LTR retroelement-derived genes, such as PEG10, RTL1, and syncytin, are known to contribute. However, therian genomes contain many more LTR retroelement-derived genes that may also have contributed to placental evolution. We conducted large-scale evolutionary genomic and transcriptomic analyses to comprehensively search for LTR retroelement-derived genes whose origination coincided with therian placental emergence and that became consistently expressed in therian placentae. We identified NYNRIN as another Ty3/Gypsy LTR retroelement-derived gene likely to contribute to placental emergence in the therian stem lineage. NYNRIN knockdown inhibited the invasion of HTR8/SVneo invasive-type trophoblasts, whereas the knockdown of its nonretroelement-derived homolog KHNYN did not. Functional enrichment analyses suggested that NYNRIN modulates trophoblast invasion by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix remodeling and that the ubiquitin-proteasome system is responsible for the functional differences between NYNRIN and KHNYN. These findings extend our knowledge of the roles of LTR retroelement-derived genes in the evolution of therian mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnon Plianchaisuk
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kusama
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Kato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Sira Sriswasdi
- Center of Excellence in Computational Molecular Biology, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kazuhiro Tamura
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Wataru Iwasaki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo. Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mika K, Whittington CM, McAllan BM, Lynch VJ. Gene expression phylogenies and ancestral transcriptome reconstruction resolves major transitions in the origins of pregnancy. eLife 2022; 11:e74297. [PMID: 35770963 PMCID: PMC9275820 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural and physiological changes in the female reproductive system underlie the origins of pregnancy in multiple vertebrate lineages. In mammals, the glandular portion of the lower reproductive tract has transformed into a structure specialized for supporting fetal development. These specializations range from relatively simple maternal nutrient provisioning in egg-laying monotremes to an elaborate suite of traits that support intimate maternal-fetal interactions in Eutherians. Among these traits are the maternal decidua and fetal component of the placenta, but there is considerable uncertainty about how these structures evolved. Previously, we showed that changes in uterine gene expression contributes to several evolutionary innovations during the origins of pregnancy (Mika et al., 2021b). Here, we reconstruct the evolution of entire transcriptomes ('ancestral transcriptome reconstruction') and show that maternal gene expression profiles are correlated with degree of placental invasion. These results indicate that an epitheliochorial-like placenta evolved early in the mammalian stem-lineage and that the ancestor of Eutherians had a hemochorial placenta, and suggest maternal control of placental invasiveness. These data resolve major transitions in the evolution of pregnancy and indicate that ancestral transcriptome reconstruction can be used to study the function of ancestral cell, tissue, and organ systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn Mika
- Department of Human Genetics, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | | | | | - Vincent J Lynch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkBuffalo,NewyorkUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Krstic J, Deutsch A, Fuchs J, Gauster M, Gorsek Sparovec T, Hiden U, Krappinger JC, Moser G, Pansy K, Szmyra M, Gold D, Feichtinger J, Huppertz B. (Dis)similarities between the Decidual and Tumor Microenvironment. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1065. [PMID: 35625802 PMCID: PMC9138511 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Placenta-specific trophoblast and tumor cells exhibit many common characteristics. Trophoblast cells invade maternal tissues while being tolerated by the maternal immune system. Similarly, tumor cells can invade surrounding tissues and escape the immune system. Importantly, both trophoblast and tumor cells are supported by an abetting microenvironment, which influences invasion, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance/evasion, among others. However, in contrast to tumor cells, the metabolic, proliferative, migrative, and invasive states of trophoblast cells are under tight regulatory control. In this review, we provide an overview of similarities and dissimilarities in regulatory processes that drive trophoblast and tumor cell fate, particularly focusing on the role of the abetting microenvironments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Krstic
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Alexander Deutsch
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Julia Fuchs
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
- Division of Biophysics, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Gauster
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Tina Gorsek Sparovec
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Ursula Hiden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Julian Christopher Krappinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Gerit Moser
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Katrin Pansy
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Marta Szmyra
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Daniela Gold
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Julia Feichtinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Liu S, Suhail Y, Novin A, Perpetua L, Kshitiz. Metastatic Transition of Pancreatic Ductal Cell Adenocarcinoma Is Accompanied by the Emergence of Pro-Invasive Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2197. [PMID: 35565326 PMCID: PMC9104173 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are now appreciated as key regulators of cancer metastasis, particularly in cancers with high stromal content, e.g., pancreatic ductal cell carcinoma (PDAC). However, it is not yet well understood if fibroblasts are always primed to be cooperative in PDAC transition to metastasis, if they undergo transformation which ensures their cooperativity, and if such transformations are cancer-driven or intrinsic to fibroblasts. We performed a fibroblast-centric analysis of PDAC cancer, as it transitioned from the primary site to trespass stromal compartment reaching the lymph node using published single-cell RNA sequencing data by Peng et al. We have characterized the change in fibroblast response to cancer from a normal wound healing response in the initial stages to the emergence of subclasses with myofibroblast and inflammatory fibroblasts such as signatures. We have previously posited "Evolved Levels of Invasibility (ELI)", a framework describing the evolution of stromal invasability as a selected phenotype, which explains the large and correlated reduction in stromal invasion by placental trophoblasts and cancer cells in certain mammals. Within PDAC samples, we found large changes in fibroblast subclasses at succeeding stages of PDAC progression, with the emergence of specific subclasses when cancer trespasses stroma to metastasize to proximal lymph nodes (stage IIA to IIB). Surprisingly, we found that the initial metastatic transition is accompanied by downregulation of ELI-predicted pro-resistive genes, and the emergence of a subclass of fibroblasts with ELI-predicted increased invasibility. Interestingly, this trend was also observed in stellate cells. Using a larger cohort of bulk RNAseq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas for PDAC cancers, we confirmed that genes describing this emergent fibroblast subclass are also correlated with lymph node metastasis of cancer cells. Experimental testing of selected genes characterizing pro-resistive and pro-invasive fibroblast clusters confirmed their contribution in regulating stromal invasability as a phenotype. Our data confirm that the complexity of stromal response to cancer is really a function of stage-wise emergence of distinct fibroblast clusters, characterized by distinct gene sets which confer initially a predominantly pro-resistive and then a pro-invasive property to the stroma. Stromal response therefore transitions from being tumor-limiting to a pro-metastatic state, facilitating stromal trespass and the onset of metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaofei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (A.N.)
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (A.N.)
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Ashkan Novin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Lorrie Perpetua
- Research Tissue Repository, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA;
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (A.N.)
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ma X, Dighe A, Maziarz J, Neumann E, Erkenbrack E, Hei YY, Liu Y, Suhail Y, Pak I, Levchenko A, Wagner GP. Evolution of higher mesenchymal CD44 expression in the human lineage. Evol Med Public Health 2022; 10:447-462. [PMID: 36148042 PMCID: PMC9487634 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44 is an extracellular matrix receptor implicated in cancer progression. CD44 increases the invasibility of skin (SF) and endometrial stromal fibroblasts (ESF) by cancer and trophoblast cells. We reasoned that the evolution of CD44 expression can affect both, the fetal–maternal interaction through CD44 in ESF as well as vulnerability to malignant cancer through expression in SF. We studied the evolution of CD44 expression in mammalian SF and ESF and demonstrate that in the human lineage evolved higher CD44 expression. Isoform expression in cattle and human is very similar suggesting that differences in invasibility are not due to the nature of expressed isoforms. We then asked whether the concerted gene expression increase in both cell types is due to shared regulatory mechanisms or due to cell type-specific factors. Reporter gene experiments with cells and cis-regulatory elements from human and cattle show that the difference of CD44 expression is due to cis effects as well as cell type-specific trans effects. These results suggest that the concerted expression increase is likely due to selection acting on both cell types because the evolutionary change in cell type-specific factors requires selection on cell type-specific functions. This scenario implies that the malignancy enhancing effects of elevated CD44 expression in humans likely evolved as a side-effect of positive selection on a yet unidentified other function of CD44. A possible candidate is the anti-fibrotic effect of CD44 but there are no reliable data showing that humans and primates are less fibrotic than other mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinghong Ma
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin, China
| | - Anasuya Dighe
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jamie Maziarz
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Edwin Neumann
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Eric Erkenbrack
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yuan-Yuan Hei
- Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale Medical School , New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yansheng Liu
- Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale Medical School , New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center , Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Irene Pak
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Günter P Wagner
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University , West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Medical School , New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|