1
|
The Differential Paracrine Role of the Endothelium in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194750. [PMID: 36230673 PMCID: PMC9563990 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A growing body of literature supports the concept that a tumor mass is under the strict control of the microvascular endothelium and that the perfusion of oxygen and nutrients by capillary vessels to the tumor mass is reinforced by potent paracrine activity from the vascular endothelial cells. In our study, we investigate the biological and molecular implications of the paracrine crosstalk between vascular endothelial cells and prostate cancer cells. Our results indicate that the endothelial cells were able to secrete molecular signals that promote the proliferation and growth of low and highly aggressive prostate cancer cells and selectively increased the migration, invasion and metastatic potential of highly aggressive prostate cancer cells. The molecular analyses indicated that endothelial cells induced a differential effect on gene expression profile when comparing low versus highly aggressive prostate cancer cells, causing an enrichment of epigenetic changes in migratory pathways in highly aggressive prostate cancer cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that endothelial cells release signals that favor tumor growth and aggressiveness and that this interaction may play an important role in the progression of prostate cancer. Abstract The survival of patients with solid tumors, such as prostate cancer (PCa), has been limited and fleeting with anti-angiogenic therapies. It was previously thought that the mechanism by which the vasculature regulates tumor growth was driven by a passive movement of oxygen and nutrients to the tumor tissue. However, previous evidence suggests that endothelial cells have an alternative role in changing the behavior of tumor cells and contributing to cancer progression. Determining the impact of molecular signals/growth factors released by endothelial cells (ECs) on established PCa cell lines in vitro and in vivo could help to explain the mechanism by which ECs regulate tumor growth. Using cell-conditioned media collected from HUVEC (HUVEC-CM), our data show the stimulated proliferation of all the PCa cell lines tested. However, in more aggressive PCa cell lines, HUVEC-CM selectively promoted migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Using a PCa-cell-line-derived xenograft model co-injected with HUVEC or preincubated with HUVEC-CM, our results are consistent with the in vitro data, showing enhanced tumor growth, increased tumor microvasculature and promoted metastasis. Gene set enrichment analyses from RNA-Seq gene expression profiles showed that HUVEC-CM induced a differential effect on gene expression when comparing low versus highly aggressive PCa cell lines, demonstrating epigenetic and migratory pathway enrichments in highly aggressive PCa cells. In summary, paracrine stimulation by HUVEC increased PCa cell proliferation and tumor growth and selectively promoted migration and metastatic potential in more aggressive PCa cell lines.
Collapse
|
2
|
Stromal Co-Cultivation for Modeling Breast Cancer Dormancy in the Bone Marrow. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143344. [PMID: 35884405 PMCID: PMC9320268 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers metastasize to the bone marrow before primary tumors can be detected. Bone marrow micrometastases are resistant to therapy, and while they are able to remain dormant for decades, they recur steadily and result in incurable metastatic disease. The bone marrow microenvironment maintains the dormancy and chemoresistance of micrometastases through interactions with multiple cell types and through structural and soluble factors. Modeling dormancy in vitro can identify the mechanisms of these interactions. Modeling also identifies mechanisms able to disrupt these interactions or define novel interactions that promote the reawakening of dormant cells. The in vitro modeling of the interactions of cancer cells with various bone marrow elements can generate hypotheses on the mechanisms that control dormancy, treatment resistance and reawakening in vivo. These hypotheses can guide in vivo murine experiments that have high probabilities of succeeding in order to verify in vitro findings while minimizing the use of animals in experiments. This review outlines the existing data on predominant stromal cell types and their use in 2D co-cultures with cancer cells.
Collapse
|
3
|
Magnussen AL, Mills IG. Vascular normalisation as the stepping stone into tumour microenvironment transformation. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:324-336. [PMID: 33828258 PMCID: PMC8329166 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01330-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A functional vascular system is indispensable for drug delivery and fundamental for responsiveness of the tumour microenvironment to such medication. At the same time, the progression of a tumour is defined by the interactions of the cancer cells with their surrounding environment, including neovessels, and the vascular network continues to be the major route for the dissemination of tumour cells in cancer, facilitating metastasis. So how can this apparent conflict be reconciled? Vessel normalisation-in which redundant structures are pruned and the abnormal vasculature is stabilised and remodelled-is generally considered to be beneficial in the course of anti-cancer treatments. A causality between normalised vasculature and improved response to medication and treatment is observed. For this reason, it is important to discern the consequence of vessel normalisation on the tumour microenvironment and to modulate the vasculature advantageously. This article will highlight the challenges of controlled neovascular remodelling and outline how vascular normalisation can shape disease management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anette L Magnussen
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ian G Mills
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK.
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ren B, Rose JB, Liu Y, Jaskular-Sztul R, Contreras C, Beck A, Chen H. Heterogeneity of Vascular Endothelial Cells, De Novo Arteriogenesis and Therapeutic Implications in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8111980. [PMID: 31739580 PMCID: PMC6912347 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8111980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arteriogenesis supplies oxygen and nutrients in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which may play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are the second most common pancreatic malignancy and are frequently metastatic on presentation. Nearly a third of pNETs secrete bioactive substances causing debilitating symptoms. Current treatment options for metastatic pNETs are limited. Importantly, these tumors are highly vascularized and heterogeneous neoplasms, in which the heterogeneity of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and de novo arteriogenesis may be critical for their progression. Current anti-angiogenetic targeted treatments have not shown substantial clinical benefits, and they are poorly tolerated. This review article describes EC heterogeneity and heterogeneous tumor-associated ECs (TAECs) in the TME and emphasizes the concept of de novo arteriogenesis in the TME. The authors also emphasize the challenges of current antiangiogenic therapy in pNETs and discuss the potential of tumor arteriogenesis as a novel therapeutic target. Finally, the authors prospect the clinical potential of targeting the FoxO1-CD36-Notch pathway that is associated with both pNET progression and arteriogenesis and provide insights into the clinical implications of targeting plasticity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and vascular niche, particularly the arteriolar niche within the TME in pNETs, which will also provide insights into other types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and malignant melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Ren
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.B.R.); (R.J.-S.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (H.C.)
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Nutrition & Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Diabetes Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Graduate Biomedical Science Program of the Graduate School, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - J. Bart Rose
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.B.R.); (R.J.-S.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (H.C.)
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Yehe Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Renata Jaskular-Sztul
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.B.R.); (R.J.-S.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (H.C.)
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Carlo Contreras
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.B.R.); (R.J.-S.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (H.C.)
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Adam Beck
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.B.R.); (R.J.-S.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (H.C.)
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.B.R.); (R.J.-S.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (H.C.)
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Graduate Biomedical Science Program of the Graduate School, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Angiotensin II induced CSF1 transcription is mediated by a crosstalk between different epigenetic factors in vascular endothelial cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1862:1-11. [PMID: 30317027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Endothelium-derived colony stimulating factor (CSF1) plays a key role in a range of human pathologies. Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been documented to stimulate CSF1 transcription although the underlying epigenetic mechanism remains unclear. Here we report that induction of CSF1 transcription by Ang II in vascular endothelial cells paralleled alterations of signature histone modifications surrounding the CSF1 promoter. Specifically, ChIP assays indicated that there was a simultaneous up-regulation of both acetylated H3 and trimethylated H3K4, indicative of transcriptional activation, and down-regulation of dimethyl H3K9, implicated in transcriptional repression, surrounding the proximal CSF1 promoter. Further analysis revealed that silencing of brahma related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, abrogated CSF1 induction by Ang II. In the meantime, BRG1 silencing erased H3 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation and restored H3K9 dimethylation. Mechanistically, BRG1 interacted with and recruited SET1A, a histone H3K4 methyltransferase, and JMJD1A, a histone H3K9 demethylase, to the CSF1 promoter to alter chromatin structure thereby promoting CSF1 trans-activation in response to Ang II stimulation. Knockdown of either SET1A or JMJD1A blocked CSF1 induction by Ang II. Finally, we demonstrate that the crosstalk between BRG1 and histone modifying enzymes was mediated by the transcription factor AP-1. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel epigenetic mechanism whereby a BRG1-centered complex mediates transcriptional activation of CSF1 by Ang II in vascular endothelial cells.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bazzi ZA, Balun J, Cavallo-Medved D, Porter LA, Boffa MB. Activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor attenuates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells: potential relevance to the breast tumour microenvironment. Clin Exp Metastasis 2017; 34:155-169. [PMID: 28124276 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-017-9837-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a basic carboxypeptidase zymogen present in blood plasma. Proteolytic activation of TAFI by thrombin, thrombin in complex with the endothelial cell cofactor thrombomodulin, or plasmin results in an enzyme (TAFIa) that removes carboxyl-terminal lysine residues from protein and peptide substrates, including cell-surface plasminogen receptors. TAFIa is therefore capable of inhibiting plasminogen activation in the pericellular milieu. Since plasminogen activation has been linked to angiogenesis, TAFIa could therefore have anti-angiogenic properties, and indeed TAFIa has been shown to inhibit endothelial tube formation in a fibrin matrix. In this study, the TAFI pathway was manipulated by providing exogenous TAFI or TAFIa or by adding a potent and specific inhibitor of TAFIa. We found that TAFIa elicited a series of anti-angiogenic responses by endothelial cells, including decreased endothelial cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell migration, tube formation, and collagen degradation. Moreover, TAFIa decreased tube formation and proteolysis in endothelial cell culture grown alone and in co-culture with breast cancer cell lines. In accordance with these findings, inhibition of TAFIa increased secretion of matrix metalloprotease proenzymes by endothelial and breast cancer cells. Finally, treatment of endothelial cells with TAFIa significantly inhibited plasminogen activation. Taken together our results suggest a novel role for TAFI in inhibiting tumour angiogenic behaviors in breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zainab A Bazzi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Room 4245A Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, N5B 3P7, Canada
| | - Jennifer Balun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Dora Cavallo-Medved
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa A Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Michael B Boffa
- Department of Biochemistry, Room 4245A Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, N5B 3P7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cavalheiro RP, Lima MA, Jarrouge-Bouças TR, Viana GM, Lopes CC, Coulson-Thomas VJ, Dreyfuss JL, Yates EA, Tersariol ILS, Nader HB. Coupling of vinculin to F-actin demands Syndecan-4 proteoglycan. Matrix Biol 2017; 63:23-37. [PMID: 28062282 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Syndecans are heparan sulfate proteoglycans characterized as transmembrane receptors that act cooperatively with the cell surface and extracellular matrix proteins. Syn4 knockdown was performed in order to address its role in endothelial cells (EC) behavior. Normal EC and shRNA-Syn4-EC cells were studied comparatively using complementary confocal, super-resolution and non-linear microscopic techniques. Confocal and super-resolution microscopy revealed that Syn4 knockdown alters the level and arrangement of essential proteins for focal adhesion, evidenced by the decoupling of vinculin from F-actin filaments. Furthermore, Syn4 knockdown alters the actin network leading to filopodial protrusions connected by VE-cadherin-rich junction. shRNA-Syn4-EC showed reduced adhesion and increased migration. Also, Syn4 silencing alters cell cycle as well as cell proliferation. Moreover, the ability of EC to form tube-like structures in matrigel is reduced when Syn4 is silenced. Together, the results suggest a mechanism in which Syndecan-4 acts as a central mediator that bridges fibronectin, integrin and intracellular components (actin and vinculin) and once silenced, the cytoskeleton protein network is disrupted. Ultimately, the results highlight Syn4 relevance for balanced cell behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R P Cavalheiro
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M A Lima
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Institute of Integrative Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - T R Jarrouge-Bouças
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - G M Viana
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - C C Lopes
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - V J Coulson-Thomas
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; University of Houston, College of Optometry, The Ocular Surface Institute (TOSI), Houston, USA
| | - J L Dreyfuss
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Grupo Interdisciplinar de Ciências Exatas em Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - E A Yates
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Institute of Integrative Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - I L S Tersariol
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - H B Nader
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mittal V, El Rayes T, Narula N, McGraw TE, Altorki NK, Barcellos-Hoff MH. The Microenvironment of Lung Cancer and Therapeutic Implications. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 890:75-110. [PMID: 26703800 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-24932-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a milieu that enables tumor cells to acquire the hallmarks of cancer. The TME is heterogeneous in composition and consists of cellular components, growth factors, proteases, and extracellular matrix. Concerted interactions between genetically altered tumor cells and genetically stable intratumoral stromal cells result in an "activated/reprogramed" stroma that promotes carcinogenesis by contributing to inflammation, immune suppression, therapeutic resistance, and generating premetastatic niches that support the initiation and establishment of distant metastasis. The lungs present a unique milieu in which tumors progress in collusion with the TME, as evidenced by regions of aberrant angiogenesis, acidosis and hypoxia. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, and pulmonary disorders in lung cancer patients such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, constitute comorbid conditions and are independent risk factors for lung cancer. The TME also contributes to immune suppression, induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and diminishes efficacy of chemotherapies. Thus, the TME has begun to emerge as the "Achilles heel" of the disease, and constitutes an attractive target for anti-cancer therapy. Drugs targeting the components of the TME are making their way into clinical trials. Here, we will focus on recent advances and emerging concepts regarding the intriguing role of the TME in lung cancer progression, and discuss future directions in the context of novel diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Carcinogenesis/drug effects
- Carcinogenesis/genetics
- Carcinogenesis/metabolism
- Carcinogenesis/pathology
- Cell Communication/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive/complications
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive/drug therapy
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive/genetics
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/complications
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells/pathology
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/prevention & control
- Pulmonary Emphysema/complications
- Pulmonary Emphysema/drug therapy
- Pulmonary Emphysema/genetics
- Pulmonary Emphysema/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Mittal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Research Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Tina El Rayes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Research Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Navneet Narula
- Department of Pathology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Timothy E McGraw
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Research Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Nasser K Altorki
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Research Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, 566 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tellier C, Desmet D, Petit L, Finet L, Graux C, Raes M, Feron O, Michiels C. Cycling hypoxia induces a specific amplified inflammatory phenotype in endothelial cells and enhances tumor-promoting inflammation in vivo. Neoplasia 2015; 17:66-78. [PMID: 25622900 PMCID: PMC4309725 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal architecture of the tumor blood network, as well as heterogeneous erythrocyte flow, leads to temporal fluctuations in tissue oxygen tension exposing tumor and stromal cells to cycling hypoxia. Inflammation is another feature of tumor microenvironment and is considered as a new enabling characteristic of tumor progression. As cycling hypoxia is known to participate in tumor aggressiveness, the purpose of this study was to evaluate its role in tumor-promoting inflammation. Firstly, we assessed the impact of cycling hypoxia in vitro on endothelial inflammatory response induced by tumor necrosis factor α. Results showed that endothelial cells exposed to cycling hypoxia displayed an amplified proinflammatory phenotype, characterized by an increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, namely, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8; by an increased expression of adhesion molecules, in particular intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1); and consequently by an increase in THP-1 monocyte adhesion. This exacerbation of endothelial inflammatory phenotype occurs through nuclear factor-κB overactivation. Secondly, the role of cycling hypoxia was studied on overall tumor inflammation in vivo in tumor-bearing mice. Results showed that cycling hypoxia led to an enhanced inflammation in tumors as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), IL-6, CXCL1 (C-X-C motif ligand 1), and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (murine IL-8 functional homologs) mRNA expression was increased and as a higher leukocyte infiltration was evidenced. Furthermore, cycling hypoxia-specific inflammatory phenotype, characterized by a simultaneous (baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5)(low)/PTGS2(high)/ICAM-1(high)/IL-6(high)/IL-8(high) expression, is associated with a poor prognosis in human colon cancer. This new phenotype could thus be used in clinic to more precisely define prognosis for colon cancer patients. In conclusion, our findings evidenced for the first time the involvement of cycling hypoxia in tumor-promoting inflammation amplification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Tellier
- Unit of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology (URBC), Namur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), 61 Rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Déborah Desmet
- Unit of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology (URBC), Namur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), 61 Rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Laurenne Petit
- Unit of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH 5349), University of Louvain Medical School (UCL), 52 Avenue Mounier, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Laure Finet
- Biobank, CHU Dinant-Mont-Godinne, UCL, 1 Avenue Docteur G.Thérasse, B-5530 Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Carlos Graux
- Biobank, CHU Dinant-Mont-Godinne, UCL, 1 Avenue Docteur G.Thérasse, B-5530 Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Martine Raes
- Unit of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology (URBC), Namur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), 61 Rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Olivier Feron
- Unit of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH 5349), University of Louvain Medical School (UCL), 52 Avenue Mounier, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Carine Michiels
- Unit of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology (URBC), Namur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), 61 Rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The myeloid-binding peptide adenoviral vector enables multi-organ vascular endothelial gene targeting. J Transl Med 2014; 94:881-92. [PMID: 24955893 PMCID: PMC4117817 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2014.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are ideal gene therapy targets as they provide widespread tissue access and are the first contact surfaces following intravenous vector administration. Human recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) is the most frequently used gene transfer system because of its appreciable transgene payload capacity and lack of somatic mutation risk. However, standard Ad5 vectors predominantly transduce liver but not the vasculature following intravenous administration. We recently developed an Ad5 vector with a myeloid cell-binding peptide (MBP) incorporated into the knob-deleted, T4 fibritin chimeric fiber (Ad.MBP). This vector was shown to transduce pulmonary ECs presumably via a vector handoff mechanism. Here we tested the body-wide tropism of the Ad.MBP vector, its myeloid cell necessity, and vector-EC expression dose response. Using comprehensive multi-organ co-immunofluorescence analysis, we discovered that Ad.MBP produced widespread EC transduction in the lung, heart, kidney, skeletal muscle, pancreas, small bowel, and brain. Surprisingly, Ad.MBP retained hepatocyte tropism albeit at a reduced frequency compared with the standard Ad5. While binding specifically to myeloid cells ex vivo, multi-organ Ad.MBP expression was not dependent on circulating monocytes or macrophages. Ad.MBP dose de-escalation maintained full lung-targeting capacity but drastically reduced transgene expression in other organs. Swapping the EC-specific ROBO4 for the CMV promoter/enhancer abrogated hepatocyte expression but also reduced gene expression in other organs. Collectively, our multilevel targeting strategy could enable therapeutic biological production in previously inaccessible organs that pertain to the most debilitating or lethal human diseases.
Collapse
|
11
|
Lymphatic endothelial cells support tumor growth in breast cancer. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5853. [PMID: 25068296 PMCID: PMC4929683 DOI: 10.1038/srep05853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor lymphatic vessels (LV) serve as a conduit of tumor cell dissemination, due to their leaky nature and secretion of tumor-recruiting factors. Though lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) lining the LV express distinct factors (also called lymphangiocrine factors), these factors and their roles in the tumor microenvironment are not well understood. Here we employ LEC, microvascular endothelial cells (MEC), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 tumor-conditioned media (TCM) to determine the factors that may be secreted by various EC in the MDA-MB-231 breast tumor. These factors will serve as endothelium derived signaling molecules in the tumor microenvironment. We co-injected these EC with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells into animals and showed that LEC support tumor growth, HUVEC have no significant effect on tumor growth, whereas MEC suppress it. Focusing on LEC-mediated tumor growth, we discovered that TCM-treated LEC (‘tumor-educated LEC') secrete high amounts of EGF and PDGF-BB, compared to normal LEC. LEC-secreted EGF promotes tumor cell proliferation. LEC-secreted PDGF-BB induces pericyte infiltration and angiogenesis. These lymphangiocrine factors may support tumor growth in the tumor microenvironment. This study shows that LV serve a novel role in the tumor microenvironment apart from their classical role as conduits of metastasis.
Collapse
|
12
|
El Kaffas A, Nofiele J, Giles A, Cho S, Liu SK, Czarnota GJ. Dll4-notch signalling blockade synergizes combined ultrasound-stimulated microbubble and radiation therapy in human colon cancer xenografts. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93888. [PMID: 24736631 PMCID: PMC3988033 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour vasculature acts as an essential lifeline for tumour progression and facilitates metastatic spread. Novel vascular targeting strategies aiming to sustain vascular shutdown could potentially induce substantial damage, resulting in a significant tumour growth delay. We investigated the combination of two novel complementary vascular targeting agents with radiation therapy in a strategy aiming to sustain vascular disruption. Experiments were carried out with delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) blockade (angiogenesis deregulator) treatment administered in combination with a radiation-based vascular destruction treatment in a highly aggressive well-perfused colon cancer tumour line implanted in female athymic nude mice. Tumours were treated with permutations of radiation, ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) and Dll4 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Tumour vascular response was assessed with three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound to measure active flow and immunohistochemistry. Tumour response was assessed with histochemical assays and longitudinal measurements of tumour volume. Our results suggest a significant tumour response in animals treated with USMB combined with radiation, and Dll4 mAb, leading to a synergistic tumour growth delay of up to 24 days. This is likely linked to rapid cell death within the tumour and a sustained tumour vascular shutdown. We conclude that the triple combination treatments cause a vascular shutdown followed by a sustained inhibition of angiogenesis and tumour cell death, leading to a rapid tumour vascular-based ‘collapse’ and a significant tumour growth delay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El Kaffas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joris Nofiele
- Departments of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anoja Giles
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Song Cho
- Department of Oncology Research, MedImmune, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stanley K. Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory J. Czarnota
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
El Kaffas A, Al-Mahrouki A, Tran WT, Giles A, Czarnota GJ. Sunitinib effects on the radiation response of endothelial and breast tumor cells. Microvasc Res 2013; 92:1-9. [PMID: 24215790 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2013.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial cells are suggested regulators of tumor response to radiation. Anti-vascular targeting agents can enhance tumor response by targeting endothelial cells. Here, we have conducted experiments in vitro to discern the effects of radiation combined with the anti-angiogenic Sunitinib on endothelial (HUVEC) and tumor (MDA-MB-231) cells, and further compared findings to results obtained in vivo. METHODS In vitro and in vivo treatments consisted of single dose radiation therapy of 2, 4, 8 or 16 Gy administered alone or in combination with bFGF or Sunitinib. In vitro, in situ end labeling (ISEL) was used to assess 24-hour apoptotic cell death, and clonogenic assays were used to assess long-term response. In vivo MDA-MB-231 tumors were grown in CB-17 SCID mice. The vascular marker CD31 was used to assess 24-hour acute response while tumor clonogenic assays were used to assess long-term tumor cell viability following treatments. RESULTS Using in vitro studies, we observed an enhanced endothelial cell response to radiation doses of 8 and 16 Gy when compared to tumor cells. Administering Sunitinib alone significantly increased HUVEC cell death, while having modest additive effects when combined with radiation. Sunitinib also increased tumor cell death when combined with 8 and 16 Gy radiation doses. In comparison, we found that the clonogenic response of in vivo treated tumor cells more closely resembled that of in vitro treated endothelial cells than in vitro treated tumor cells. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the endothelium is an important regulator of tumor response to radiotherapy, and that Sunitinib can enhance tumor radiosensitivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that Sunitinib is investigated in combination with radiotherapy on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El Kaffas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Azza Al-Mahrouki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - William T Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anoja Giles
- Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory J Czarnota
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Imaging Research and Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Qiu H, Jiang JL, Liu M, Huang X, Ding SJ, Wang L. Quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis reveals broad regulatory role of heparan sulfate on endothelial signaling. Mol Cell Proteomics 2013; 12:2160-73. [PMID: 23649490 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m112.026609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a linear, abundant, highly sulfated polysaccharide that expresses in the vasculature. Recent genetic studies documented that HS critically modulates various endothelial cell functions. However, elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanism has been challenging because of the presence of a large number of HS-binding ligands found in the examined experimental conditions. In this report, we used quantitative phosphoproteomics to examine the global HS-dependent signaling by comparing wild type and HS-deficient endothelial cells that were cultured in a serum-containing medium. A total of 7222 phosphopeptides, corresponding to 1179 proteins, were identified. Functional correlation analysis identified 25 HS-dependent functional networks, and the top five are related to cell morphology, cellular assembly and organization, cellular function and maintenance, cell-to-cell communication, inflammatory response and disorder, cell growth and proliferation, cell movement, and cellular survival and death. This is consistent with cell function studies showing that HS deficiency altered endothelial cell growth and mobility. Mining for the underlying molecular mechanisms further revealed that HS modulates signaling pathways critically related to cell adhesion, migration, and coagulation, including ILK, integrin, actin cytoskeleton organization, tight junction and thrombin signaling. Intriguingly, this analysis unexpectedly determined that the top HS-dependent signaling is the IGF-1 signaling pathway, which has not been known to be modulated by HS. In-depth analysis of growth factor signaling identified 22 HS-dependent growth factor/cytokine/growth hormone signaling pathways, including those both previously known, such as HGF and VEGF, and those unknown, such as IGF-1, erythropoietin, angiopoietin/Tie, IL-17A and growth hormones. Twelve of the identified 22 growth factor/cytokine/growth hormone signaling pathways, including IGF-1 and angiopoietin/Tie signaling, were alternatively confirmed in phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase array analysis. In summary, our SILAC-based quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis confirmed previous findings and also uncovered novel HS-dependent functional networks and signaling, revealing a much broader regulatory role of HS on endothelial signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Qiu
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mao P, Smith L, Xie W, Wang M. Dying endothelial cells stimulate proliferation of malignant glioma cells via a caspase 3-mediated pathway. Oncol Lett 2013; 5:1615-1620. [PMID: 23760767 PMCID: PMC3678715 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2013.1223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has indicated that apoptotic cells have a compensatory effect on the proliferation of neighboring cells. However, the potential role of dying vascular endothelial cells (ECs) in glioma tumor proliferation remains unclear. In the present study, three glioma cell lines were cocultured with dying ECs under various conditions to evaluate the effect of dying ECs on tumor proliferation using alamarBlue and trypan blue assays to assess cell proliferation and viability, respectively. The results suggested that dying ECs had a marked ability to facilitate glioma cell growth via a caspase 3-mediated pathway. Furthermore, calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2), a downstream gene regulated by caspase 3, is highly involved in this process. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was the final effector of the caspase 3-iPLA2 signaling pathway in glioma cell proliferation. Knockdown of caspase 3 or iPLA2 using shRNA negated the growth stimulating effect of dying ECs. By contrast, the overexpression of iPLA2 in ECs via the pLEX lentiviral vector system or addition of PGE2 into culture medium had a growth promoting effect on glioma cells. Overall, the present data revealed a paracrine signal released from dying ECs which promotes the proliferation of surrounding glioma cells, demonstrating the importance of blocking compensatory proliferation during tumor therapy. Additionally, targeting caspase 3-mediated pathways combined with current therapeutic strategies may be a promising approach for improving the dismal prognosis associated with these malignant tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China ; ; Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chen ZY, Shi M, Peng LX, Wei W, Li XJ, Guo ZX, Li SH, Zhong C, Qian CN, Guo RP. Dovitinib preferentially targets endothelial cells rather than cancer cells for the inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma growth and metastasis. J Transl Med 2012; 10:245. [PMID: 23228017 PMCID: PMC3552726 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dovitinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptors and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β. Dovitinib is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method In this study, we used five HCC cell lines and five endothelial cell lines to validate molecular and cellular targets of dovitinib. Results Tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis were significantly suppressed in an orthotopic HCC model. Immunoblotting revealed that among known dovitinib targets, only PDGFR-β was expressed in two HCC cell lines, while four of five endothelial lines expressed PDGFR-β, FGFR-1, and VEGFR-2. Dovitinib inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and motility at 0.04 μmol/L, a pharmacologically relevant concentration; it was unable to inhibit the proliferation or motility of HCC cells at the same concentration. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that dovitinib significantly decreased the microvessel density of xenograft tumors, inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in HCC cells. Conclusion Our findings indicate that dovitinib inhibits HCC growth and metastasis preferentially through an antiangiogenic mechanism, not through direct targeting of HCC cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yuan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Pitroda SP, Zhou T, Sweis RF, Filippo M, Labay E, Beckett MA, Mauceri HJ, Liang H, Darga TE, Perakis S, Khan SA, Sutton HG, Zhang W, Khodarev NN, Garcia JGN, Weichselbaum RR. Tumor endothelial inflammation predicts clinical outcome in diverse human cancers. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46104. [PMID: 23056240 PMCID: PMC3464251 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial cells contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases by actively regulating the stromal inflammatory response; however, little is known regarding the role of endothelial inflammation in the growth of human tumors and its influence on the prognosis of human cancers. METHODS Using an experimental model of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-mediated inflammation, we characterized inflammatory gene expression in immunopurified tumor-associated endothelial cells. These genes formed the basis of a multivariate molecular predictor of overall survival that was trained and validated in four types of human cancer. RESULTS We report that expression of experimentally derived tumor endothelial genes distinguished pathologic tissue specimens from normal controls in several human diseases associated with chronic inflammation. We trained these genes in human cancer datasets and defined a six-gene inflammatory signature that predicted significantly reduced overall survival in breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and glioma. This endothelial-derived signature predicted outcome independently of, but cooperatively with, standard clinical and pathological prognostic factors. Consistent with these findings, conditioned culture media from human endothelial cells stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines accelerated the growth of human colon and breast tumors in immunodeficient mice as compared with conditioned media from untreated endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first prognostic cancer gene signature derived from an experimental model of tumor-associated endothelial inflammation. These findings support the notion that activation of inflammatory pathways in non-malignant tumor-infiltrating endothelial cells contributes to tumor growth and progression in multiple human cancers. Importantly, these results identify endothelial-derived factors that could serve as potential targets for therapy in diverse human cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean P Pitroda
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|