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Wan X, Li F, Li Z, Zhou L. ASIC3-activated key enzymes of de novo lipid synthesis supports lactate-driven EMT and the metastasis of colorectal cancer cells. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:388. [PMID: 39095886 PMCID: PMC11295509 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01762-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Acidic microenvironments is a cancer progression driver, unclear core mechanism hinders the discovery of new diagnostic or therapeutic targets. ASIC3 is an extracellular proton sensor and acid-sensitive, but its role in acidic tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer is not reported. Functional analysis data show that colorectal cancer cells respond to specific concentration of lactate to accelerate invasion and metastasis, and ASIC3 is the main actor in this process. Mechanism reveal de novo lipid synthesis is a regulatory process of ASIC3, down-regulated ASIC3 increases and interacts with ACC1 and SCD1, which are key enzymes in de novo lipid synthesis pathway, this interaction results in increased unsaturated fatty acids, which in turn induce EMT to promote metastasis, and overexpression of ASIC3 reduces acidic TME-enhanced colorectal cancer metastasis. Clinical samples of colorectal cancer also exhibit decreased ASIC3 expression, and low ASIC3 expression is associated with metastasis and stage of colorectal cancer. This study is the first to identify the role of the ASIC3-ACC1/SCD1 axis in acid-enhanced colorectal cancer metastasis. The expression pattern of ASIC3 in colorectal cancer differs significantly from that in other types of cancers, ASIC3 may serve as a novel and reliable marker for acidic microenvironmental in colorectal cancer, and potentially a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Wan
- Department of Pharmacology, Sichuan University West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Hubei Minzu University Health Science Center, Enshi, 445000, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Sichuan University West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhigui Li
- Department of General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Sichuan University West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, Hubei Minzu University Health Science Center, Enshi, 445000, China.
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2
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Wahyudianingsih R, Sanjaya A, Jonathan T, Pranggono EH, Achmad D, Hernowo BS. Chemotherapy's effects on autophagy in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma: a scoping review. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:269. [PMID: 38976168 PMCID: PMC11231119 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01142-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Classical Hodgkin Lymphomas (HL) are a unique malignant growth with an excellent initial prognosis. However, 10-30% of patients will still relapse after remission. One primary cellular function that has been the focus of tumor progression is autophagy. This process can preserve cellular homeostasis under stressful conditions. Several studies have shown that autophagy may play a role in developing HL. Therefore, this review aimed to explore chemotherapy's effect on autophagy in HL, and the effects of autophagy on HL. METHODS A scoping review in line with the published PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. A literature search was conducted on the MEDLINE database and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). All results were retrieved and screened, and the resulting articles were synthesized narratively. RESULTS The results showed that some cancer chemotherapy also induces autophagic flux. Although the data on HL is limited, since the mechanisms of action of these drugs are similar, we can infer a similar relationship. However, this increased autophagy activity may reflect a mechanism for increasing tumor growth or a cellular compensation to inhibit its growth. Although evidence supports both views, we argued that autophagy allowed cancer cells to resist cell death, mainly due to DNA damage caused by cytotoxic drugs. CONCLUSION Autophagy reflects the cell's adaptation to survive and explains why chemotherapy generally induces autophagy functions. However, further research on autophagy inhibition is needed as it presents a viable treatment strategy, especially against drug-resistant populations that may arise from HL chemotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roro Wahyudianingsih
- Postgraduate Program of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Ardo Sanjaya
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University, Bandung, Indonesia.
| | - Timothy Jonathan
- Undergraduate Program in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Emmy Hermiyanti Pranggono
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Rumah Sakit Hasan Sadikin, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Dimyati Achmad
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Rumah Sakit Hasan Sadikin, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Bethy Suryawathy Hernowo
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Rumah Sakit Hasan Sadikin, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
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3
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Aventaggiato M, Arcangeli T, Vernucci E, Barreca F, Sansone L, Pellegrini L, Pontemezzo E, Valente S, Fioravanti R, Russo MA, Mai A, Tafani M. Pharmacological Activation of SIRT3 Modulates the Response of Cancer Cells to Acidic pH. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:810. [PMID: 38931477 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells modulate their metabolism, creating an acidic microenvironment that, in turn, can favor tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance. Tumor cells adopt strategies to survive a drop in extracellular pH (pHe). In the present manuscript, we investigated the contribution of mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) to the adaptation and survival of cancer cells to a low pHe. SIRT3-overexpressing and silenced breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells were grown in buffered and unbuffered media at pH 7.4 and 6.8 for different times. mRNA expression of SIRT3 and CAVB, was measured by RT-PCR. Protein expression of SIRT3, CAVB and autophagy proteins was estimated by western blot. SIRT3-CAVB interaction was determined by immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays (PLA). Induction of autophagy was studied by western blot and TEM. SIRT3 overexpression increases the survival of both cell lines. Moreover, we demonstrated that SIRT3 controls intracellular pH (pHi) through the regulation of mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase VB (CAVB). Interestingly, we obtained similar results by using MC2791, a new SIRT3 activator. Our results point to the possibility of modulating SIRT3 to decrease the response and resistance of tumor cells to the acidic microenvironment and ameliorate the effectiveness of anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Aventaggiato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enza Vernucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Barreca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Sansone
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Rome, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Pellegrini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Pontemezzo
- European Hospital, New Fertility Group, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Via Portuense 700, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Antonio Russo
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Rome, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tafani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
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4
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Carlos-Reyes A, Romero-Garcia S, Prado-Garcia H. Metabolic Responses of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells to Survive under Stressful Conditions Associated with Tumor Microenvironment. Metabolites 2024; 14:103. [PMID: 38392995 PMCID: PMC10890307 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors frequently present a heterogeneous tumor microenvironment. Because tumors have the potential to proliferate quickly, the consequence is a reduction in the nutrients, a reduction in the pH (<6.8), and a hypoxic environment. Although it is often assumed that tumor clones show a similar growth rate with little variations in nutrient consumption, the present study shows how growth-specific rate (µ), the specific rates of glucose, lactate, and glutamine consumption (qS), and the specific rates of lactate and glutamate production (qP) of 2D-cultured lung tumor cells are affected by changes in their environment. We determined in lung tumor cells (A427, A549, Calu-1, and SKMES-1) the above mentioned kinetic parameters during the exponential phase under different culture conditions, varying the predominant carbon source, pH, and oxygen tension. MCF-7 cells, a breast tumor cell line that can consume lactate, and non-transformed fibroblast cells (MRC-5) were included as controls. We also analyzed how cell-cycle progression and the amino acid transporter CD98 expression were affected. Our results show that: (1) In glucose presence, μ increased, but qS Glucose and qP Lactate decreased when tumor cells were cultured under acidosis as opposed to neutral conditions; (2) most lung cancer cell lines consumed lactate under normoxia or hypoxia; (3) although qS Glutamine diminished under hypoxia or acidosis, it slightly increased in lactate presence, a finding that was associated with CD98 upregulation; and (4) under acidosis, G0/G1 arrest was induced in A427 cancer cells, although this phenomenon was significantly increased when glucose was changed by lactate as the predominant carbon-source. Hence, our results provide an understanding of metabolic responses that tumor cells develop to survive under stressful conditions, providing clues for developing promising opportunities to improve traditional cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeles Carlos-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Onco-Inmunobiologia, Departamento de Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Susana Romero-Garcia
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Heriberto Prado-Garcia
- Laboratorio de Onco-Inmunobiologia, Departamento de Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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5
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Sari D, Gozuacik D, Akkoc Y. Role of autophagy in cancer-associated fibroblast activation, signaling and metabolic reprograming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1274682. [PMID: 38234683 PMCID: PMC10791779 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274682] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors not only consist of cancerous cells, but they also harbor several normal-like cell types and non-cellular components. cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of these cellular components that are found predominantly in the tumor stroma. Autophagy is an intracellular degradation and quality control mechanism, and recent studies provided evidence that autophagy played a critical role in CAF formation, metabolic reprograming and tumor-stroma crosstalk. Therefore, shedding light on the autophagy and its role in CAF biology might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the exploitation of more efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we provide an overview about the involvement of autophagy in CAF-related pathways, including transdifferentiation and activation of CAFs, and further discuss the implications of targeting tumor stroma as a treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyana Sari
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Devrim Gozuacik
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Biotechnology, SUNUM Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Yunus Akkoc
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
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6
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Zhou S, Jiang L, Li C, Mao H, Jiang C, Wang Z, Zheng X, Jiang X. Acid and Hypoxia Tandem-Activatable Deep Near-Infrared Nanoprobe for Two-Step Signal Amplification and Early Detection of Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2212231. [PMID: 37339461 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202212231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The early detection of cancers can significantly change outcomes even with existing treatments. However, ~50% of cancers still cannot be detected until they reach an advanced stage, highlighting the great challenges in the early detection. Here, an ultrasensitive deep near-infrared (dNIR) nanoprobe that is successively responsive to tumor acidity and hypoxia is reported. It is demonstrated that the new nanoprobe specifically detects tumor hypoxia microenvironment based on deep NIR imaging in ten different types of tumor models using cancer cell lines and patient-tissue derived xenograft tumors. By combining the acidity and hypoxia specific two-step signal amplification with a deep NIR detection, the reported nanoprobe enables the ultrasensitive visualization of hundreds of tumor cells or small tumors with a size of 260 µm in whole-body imaging or 115 µm metastatic lesions in lung imaging. As a result, it reveals that tumor hypoxia can occur as early as the lesions contain only several hundred cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sensen Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Cheng Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hui Mao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Chunping Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhongxia Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xianchuang Zheng
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Xiqun Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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7
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Yang Z, Su W, Wei X, Qu S, Zhao D, Zhou J, Wang Y, Guan Q, Qin C, Xiang J, Zen K, Yao B. HIF-1α drives resistance to ferroptosis in solid tumors by promoting lactate production and activating SLC1A1. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112945. [PMID: 37542723 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors have developed robust ferroptosis resistance. The mechanism underlying ferroptosis resistance regulation in solid tumors, however, remains elusive. Here, we report that the hypoxic tumor microenvironment potently promotes ferroptosis resistance in solid tumors in a hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-dependent manner. In combination with HIF-2α, which promotes tumor ferroptosis under hypoxia, HIF-1α is the main driver of hypoxia-induced ferroptosis resistance. Mechanistically, HIF-1α-induced lactate contributes to ferroptosis resistance in a pH-dependent manner that is parallel to the classical SLC7A11 and FSP1 systems. In addition, HIF-1α also enhances transcription of SLC1A1, an important glutamate transporter, and promotes cystine uptake to promote ferroptosis resistance. In support of the role of hypoxia in ferroptosis resistance, silencing HIF-1α sensitizes mouse solid tumors to ferroptosis inducers. In conclusion, our results reveal a mechanism by which hypoxia drives ferroptosis resistance and identify the combination of hypoxia alleviation and ferroptosis induction as a promising therapeutic strategy for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yang
- National Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Su
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiyi Wei
- The State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang Qu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwan Zhou
- National Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunjun Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Guan
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Qin
- The State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jun Xiang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ke Zen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bing Yao
- National Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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8
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Akinyemi AO, Simpson KE, Oyelere SF, Nur M, Ngule CM, Owoyemi BCD, Ayarick VA, Oyelami FF, Obaleye O, Esoe DP, Liu X, Li Z. Unveiling the dark side of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in cancers and other human pathology: a systematic review. Mol Med 2023; 29:112. [PMID: 37605113 PMCID: PMC10464436 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00706-6] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose-Regulated Protein 78 (GRP78) is a chaperone protein that is predominantly expressed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. GRP78 plays a crucial role in protein folding by assisting in the assembly of misfolded proteins. Under cellular stress conditions, GRP78 can translocate to the cell surface (csGRP78) were it interacts with different ligands to initiate various intracellular pathways. The expression of csGRP78 has been associated with tumor initiation and progression of multiple cancer types. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing evidence on the roles of GRP78 in various types of cancer and other human pathology. Additionally, the review discusses the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying GRP78's involvement in tumorigenesis and cancer advancement. Furthermore, we highlight recent innovative approaches employed in downregulating GRP78 expression in cancers as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Nur
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
| | | | | | | | - Felix Femi Oyelami
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
| | | | - Dave-Preston Esoe
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
| | - Zhiguo Li
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
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9
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Michl J, Monterisi S, White B, Blaszczak W, Hulikova A, Abdullayeva G, Bridges E, Yin Z, Bodmer WF, Swietach P. Acid-adapted cancer cells alkalinize their cytoplasm by degrading the acid-loading membrane transporter anion exchanger 2, SLC4A2. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112601. [PMID: 37270778 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acidic environments reduce the intracellular pH (pHi) of most cells to levels that are sub-optimal for growth and cellular functions. Yet, cancers maintain an alkaline cytoplasm despite low extracellular pH (pHe). Raised pHi is thought to be beneficial for tumor progression and invasiveness. However, the transport mechanisms underpinning this adaptation have not been studied systematically. Here, we characterize the pHe-pHi relationship in 66 colorectal cancer cell lines and identify the acid-loading anion exchanger 2 (AE2, SLC4A2) as a regulator of resting pHi. Cells adapt to chronic extracellular acidosis by degrading AE2 protein, which raises pHi and reduces acid sensitivity of growth. Acidity inhibits mTOR signaling, which stimulates lysosomal function and AE2 degradation, a process reversed by bafilomycin A1. We identify AE2 degradation as a mechanism for maintaining a conducive pHi in tumors. As an adaptive mechanism, inhibiting lysosomal degradation of AE2 is a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Michl
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Stefania Monterisi
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Bobby White
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Wiktoria Blaszczak
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Alzbeta Hulikova
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Gulnar Abdullayeva
- MRC Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Esther Bridges
- Department of NDM Experimental Medicine, MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, JR Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Zinan Yin
- Department of NDM Experimental Medicine, MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, JR Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Walter F Bodmer
- MRC Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.
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10
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Baati T, Chaabani I, Salek A, Njim L, Selmi M, Al-Kattan A, Hosni K. Chitosan-coated ultrapure silicon nanoparticles produced by laser ablation: biomedical potential in nano-oncology as a tumor-targeting nanosystem. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:3044-3052. [PMID: 37260505 PMCID: PMC10228338 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00253e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Ultrapure silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) produced by femtosecond laser ablation in water have attracted great interest in the area of cancer therapy as they are efficient as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy modality and can induce cell hyperthermia under radiofrequency radiation. Recently, we showed that these biocompatible nanoparticles were not able to reach tumors after intravenous injection in mice due to their rapid clearance from the bloodstream. In order to increase their half-life time and therefore their chances to reach and accumulate in tumors by an enhanced permeation retention (EPR) effect, a capping agent on SiNP surface acting as a colloidal stabilizer suspension is required. In this regard, this work focuses for the first time on the functionalization of SiNPs through the modification of their surface by chitosan (SiNPs-CH) in order to enhance their therapeutic properties in cancer therapy. Here, in vivo experiments were carried out during 15 days on nude mice developing a subcutaneously grafted malignant human brain tumor (glioblastoma). The characterization of SiNPs-CH showed an average hydrodynamic size of around 142 ± 65 nm as well as a relatively neutral charge (-5.2 mV) leading to a high colloidal suspension stability. The point of our work concerns the improvement of the biodistribution of SiNPs-CH with regard to tumors, the bloodstream, and organs. After the intravenous administration of 20 mg kg-1, all the studied parameters (animal behavior, organs' morphology, and histopathology) were in accord with the absence of toxicity due to SiNPs-CH, confirming their biocompatibility and even size and surface charge were modified compared to bare nanoparticles. Moreover an increased time in the bloodstream circulation of up to 7 days was observed, indicating the stealth of the nanoparticles, which could escape opsonization and premature elimination by macrophages and the reticuloendothelial system. As evidenced by silicon assessment, the interaction of the SiNPs-CH with the liver and spleen was significantly reduced compared to the bare nanoparticles. At the same time, SiNPs-CH were concentrated progressively in tumors from 12.03% after 1 day up to 39.55% after 7 days, confirming their uptake by the tumor microenvironment through the enhanced permeability retention effect. Subsequently, the silicon level declined progressively down to 33.6% after 15 days, evidencing the degradation of pH-sensitive SiNPs-CH under the acidic tumor microenvironment. Taken together, the stealthy SiNPs-CH exhibited an ideal biodistribution profile within the tumor microenvironment with a sustainable biodegradation and elimination profile, indicating their promising application in the nano-oncology field as a tumor-targeting system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Baati
- Laboratoire des Substances Naturelles, Institut National de Recherche et d'Analyse Physico-chimique Biotechpôle Sidi Thabet 2020 Tunisia +216-71-537-688 +216-71-537-666
| | - Imen Chaabani
- Laboratoire des Substances Naturelles, Institut National de Recherche et d'Analyse Physico-chimique Biotechpôle Sidi Thabet 2020 Tunisia +216-71-537-688 +216-71-537-666
- Service de radiologie, Clinique Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine Dentaire 5000 Monastir Tunisia
| | - Abir Salek
- Laboratoire des Substances Naturelles, Institut National de Recherche et d'Analyse Physico-chimique Biotechpôle Sidi Thabet 2020 Tunisia +216-71-537-688 +216-71-537-666
| | - Leila Njim
- Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, EPS Fattouma Bourguiba de Monastir, Faculté de Médecine de Monastir, Université de Monastir 5000 Tunisia
| | - Mouna Selmi
- Laboratoire des Substances Naturelles, Institut National de Recherche et d'Analyse Physico-chimique Biotechpôle Sidi Thabet 2020 Tunisia +216-71-537-688 +216-71-537-666
| | - Ahmed Al-Kattan
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, LP3 UMR 7341 Campus de Luminy, Case 917 CEDEX 09 13288 Marseille France
| | - Karim Hosni
- Laboratoire des Substances Naturelles, Institut National de Recherche et d'Analyse Physico-chimique Biotechpôle Sidi Thabet 2020 Tunisia +216-71-537-688 +216-71-537-666
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11
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Audero MM, Carvalho TMA, Ruffinatti FA, Loeck T, Yassine M, Chinigò G, Folcher A, Farfariello V, Amadori S, Vaghi C, Schwab A, Reshkin SJ, Cardone RA, Prevarskaya N, Fiorio Pla A. Acidic Growth Conditions Promote Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition to Select More Aggressive PDAC Cell Phenotypes In Vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092572. [PMID: 37174038 PMCID: PMC10177299 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an acidic microenvironment, which contributes to therapeutic failure. So far there is a lack of knowledge with respect to the role of the acidic microenvironment in the invasive process. This work aimed to study the phenotypic and genetic response of PDAC cells to acidic stress along the different stages of selection. To this end, we subjected the cells to short- and long-term acidic pressure and recovery to pHe 7.4. This treatment aimed at mimicking PDAC edges and consequent cancer cell escape from the tumor. The impact of acidosis was assessed for cell morphology, proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via functional in vitro assays and RNA sequencing. Our results indicate that short acidic treatment limits growth, adhesion, invasion, and viability of PDAC cells. As the acid treatment progresses, it selects cancer cells with enhanced migration and invasion abilities induced by EMT, potentiating their metastatic potential when re-exposed to pHe 7.4. The RNA-seq analysis of PANC-1 cells exposed to short-term acidosis and pHe-selected recovered to pHe 7.4 revealed distinct transcriptome rewiring. We describe an enrichment of genes relevant to proliferation, migration, EMT, and invasion in acid-selected cells. Our work clearly demonstrates that upon acidosis stress, PDAC cells acquire more invasive cell phenotypes by promoting EMT and thus paving the way for more aggressive cell phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelaine Magalì Audero
- U1003-PHYCELL-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, Inserm, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, 59000 Lille, France
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Angiogenesis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | | | - Federico Alessandro Ruffinatti
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Angiogenesis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Thorsten Loeck
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Maya Yassine
- U1003-PHYCELL-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, Inserm, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Giorgia Chinigò
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Angiogenesis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Antoine Folcher
- U1003-PHYCELL-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, Inserm, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Valerio Farfariello
- U1003-PHYCELL-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, Inserm, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Samuele Amadori
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Angiogenesis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Vaghi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Angiogenesis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Albrecht Schwab
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Stephan J Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Natalia Prevarskaya
- U1003-PHYCELL-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, Inserm, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Alessandra Fiorio Pla
- U1003-PHYCELL-Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, Inserm, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, 59000 Lille, France
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Angiogenesis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
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12
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Rolver MG, Holland LKK, Ponniah M, Prasad NS, Yao J, Schnipper J, Kramer S, Elingaard‐Larsen L, Pedraz‐Cuesta E, Liu B, Pardo LA, Maeda K, Sandelin A, Pedersen SF. Chronic acidosis rewires cancer cell metabolism through PPARα signaling. Int J Cancer 2023; 152:1668-1684. [PMID: 36533672 PMCID: PMC10108231 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms linking tumor microenvironment acidosis to disease progression are not understood. Here, we used mammary, pancreatic, and colon cancer cells to show that adaptation to growth at an extracellular pH (pHe ) mimicking acidic tumor niches is associated with upregulated net acid extrusion capacity and elevated intracellular pH at physiological pHe , but not at acidic pHe . Using metabolic profiling, shotgun lipidomics, imaging and biochemical analyses, we show that the acid adaptation-induced phenotype is characterized by a shift toward oxidative metabolism, increased lipid droplet-, triacylglycerol-, peroxisome content and mitochondrial hyperfusion. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARA, PPARα) expression and activity are upregulated, at least in part by increased fatty acid uptake. PPARα upregulates genes driving increased mitochondrial and peroxisomal mass and β-oxidation capacity, including mitochondrial lipid import proteins CPT1A, CPT2 and SLC25A20, electron transport chain components, peroxisomal proteins PEX11A and ACOX1, and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a negative regulator of glycolysis. This endows acid-adapted cancer cells with increased capacity for utilizing fatty acids for metabolic needs, while limiting glycolysis. As a consequence, the acid-adapted cells exhibit increased sensitivity to PPARα inhibition. We conclude that PPARα is a key upstream regulator of metabolic changes favoring cancer cell survival in acidic tumor niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michala G. Rolver
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Lya K. K. Holland
- Cell Death and Metabolism, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Society Research CenterCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Muthulakshmi Ponniah
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Nanditha S. Prasad
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jiayi Yao
- The Bioinformatics Center, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Julie Schnipper
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, University of Picardie Jules VerneAmiensFrance
| | - Signe Kramer
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Elena Pedraz‐Cuesta
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Bin Liu
- Cell Death and Metabolism, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Society Research CenterCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Luis A. Pardo
- Oncophysiology Group, Max‐Planck‐Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Kenji Maeda
- Cell Death and Metabolism, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Society Research CenterCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Albin Sandelin
- The Bioinformatics Center, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Stine Falsig Pedersen
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Abstract
Significance: Cancer-associated tissue-specific lactic acidosis stimulates and mediates tumor invasion and metastasis and is druggable. Rarely, malignancy causes systemic lactic acidosis, the role of which is poorly understood. Recent Advances: The understanding of the role of lactate has shifted dramatically since its discovery. Long recognized as only a waste product, lactate has become known as an alternative metabolism substrate and a secreted nutrient that is exchanged between the tumor and the microenvironment. Tissue-specific lactic acidosis is targeted to improve the host body's anticancer defense and serves as a tool that allows the targeting of anticancer compounds. Systemic lactic acidosis is associated with poor survival. In patients with solid cancer, systemic lactic acidosis is associated with an extremely poor prognosis, as revealed by the analysis of 57 published cases in this study. Although it is considered a pathology worth treating, targeting systemic lactic acidosis in patients with solid cancer is usually inefficient. Critical Issues: Research gaps include simple questions, such as the unknown nuclear pH of the cancer cells and its effects on chemotherapy outcomes, pH sensitivity of glycosylation in cancer cells, in vivo mechanisms of response to acidosis in the absence of lactate, and overinterpretation of in vitro results that were obtained by using cells that were not preadapted to acidic environments. Future Directions: Numerous metabolism-targeting anticancer compounds induce lactatemia, lactic acidosis, or other types of acidosis. Their potential to induce acidic environments is largely overlooked, although the acidosis might contribute to a substantial portion of the observed clinical effects. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 1130-1152.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Heneberg
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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14
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Gillies RJ, Ibrahim-Hashim A, Ordway B, Gatenby RA. Back to basic: Trials and tribulations of alkalizing agents in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:981718. [PMID: 36452492 PMCID: PMC9702334 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.981718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED "Dysregulated" metabolism is a characteristic of the cancer cell phenotype. This includes persistent use of glycolytic metabolism in normoxic environments (Warburg effect) leading to increased acid production and accumulation of protons in the interstitial space. Although often thought to be disordered, altered cancer metabolism is the outcome of intense Darwinian selection and, thus, must have evolved to maximize cancer cell fitness. In an evolutionary context, cancer-induced acidification of the microenvironment represents a niche construction strategy to promote proliferation. Ecological advantages conferred on the cancer population included remodeling of the extracellular matrix to promote local invasion, suppression of potential competitive proliferation of fibroblasts, and suppression of host immune response. Preclinical data demonstrates that increasing the serum buffering capacity (through, for example, oral sodium bicarbonate and TRIS) can neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment with inhibition local invasion and proliferation which can be synergistic with the effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents. Here, we describe the proton dynamics in cancer and their influence on tumor progression and metastasis. Additionally, we will discuss targeting the tumor acidosis with alkalizing agents including our bicarbonate clinical trial results. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT01350583, NCT01198821 and NCT01846429.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Arig Ibrahim-Hashim
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Bryce Ordway
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Robert A. Gatenby
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
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15
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Targeting the Metabolic Rewiring in Pancreatic Cancer and Its Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184351. [PMID: 36139512 PMCID: PMC9497173 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with only a few effective therapeutic options. A characteristic feature of PDAC is its unique tumor microenvironment (TME), termed desmoplasia, which shows extensive fibrosis and extracellular matrix deposition, generating highly hypoxic and nutrient-deprived conditions within the tumor. To thrive in this harsh TME, PDAC undergoes extensive metabolic rewiring that includes the altered use of glucose and glutamine, constitutive activation of autophagy-lysosomal pathways, and nutrient acquisition from host cells in the TME. Notably, these properties support PDAC metabolism and mediate therapeutic resistance, including immune suppression. A deeper understanding of the unique metabolic properties of PDAC and its TME may aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies against this deadly disease.
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16
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Mahgoub E, Taneera J, Sulaiman N, Saber-Ayad M. The role of autophagy in colorectal cancer: Impact on pathogenesis and implications in therapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:959348. [PMID: 36160153 PMCID: PMC9490268 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.959348] [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: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered as a global major cause of cancer death. Surgical resection is the main line of treatment; however, chemo-, radiotherapy and other adjuvant agents are crucial to achieve good outcomes. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a well-recognized key player in CRC progression, yet the processes linking the cancer cells to its TME are not fully delineated. Autophagy is one of such processes, with a controversial role in the pathogenesis of CRC, with its intricate links to many pathological factors and processes. Autophagy may apparently play conflicting roles in carcinogenesis, but the precise mechanisms determining the overall direction of the process seem to depend on the context. Additionally, it has been established that autophagy has a remarkable effect on the endothelial cells in the TME, the key substrate for angiogenesis that supports tumor metastasis. Favorable response to immunotherapy occurs only in a specific subpopulation of CRC patients, namely the microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). In view of such limitations of immunotherapy in CRC, modulation of autophagy represents a potential adjuvant strategy to enhance the effect of those relatively safe agents on wider CRC molecular subtypes. In this review, we discussed the molecular control of autophagy in CRC and how autophagy affects different processes and mechanisms that shape the TME. We explored how autophagy contributes to CRC initiation and progression, and how it interacts with tumor immunity, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. The crosstalk between autophagy and the TME in CRC was extensively dissected. Finally, we reported the clinical efforts and challenges in combining autophagy modulators with various cancer-targeted agents to improve CRC patients’ survival and restrain cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eglal Mahgoub
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jalal Taneera
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nabil Sulaiman
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maha Saber-Ayad
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Maha Saber-Ayad,
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17
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Metabolic targeting of malignant tumors: a need for systemic approach. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 149:2115-2138. [PMID: 35925428 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04212-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dysregulated metabolism is now recognized as a fundamental hallmark of carcinogenesis inducing aggressive features and additional hallmarks. In this review, well-established metabolic changes displayed by tumors are highlighted in a comprehensive manner and corresponding therapeutical targets are discussed to set up a framework for integrating basic research findings with clinical translation in oncology setting. METHODS Recent manuscripts of high research impact and relevant to the field from PubMed (2000-2021) have been reviewed for this article. RESULTS Metabolic pathway disruption during tumor evolution is a dynamic process potentiating cell survival, dormancy, proliferation and invasion even under dismal conditions. Apart from cancer cells, though, tumor microenvironment has an acting role as extracellular metabolites, pH alterations and stromal cells reciprocally interact with malignant cells, ultimately dictating tumor-promoting responses, disabling anti-tumor immunity and promoting resistance to treatments. CONCLUSION In the field of cancer metabolism, there are several emerging prognostic and therapeutic targets either in the form of gene expression, enzyme activity or metabolites which could be exploited for clinical purposes; both standard-of-care and novel treatments may be evaluated in the context of metabolism rewiring and indeed, synergistic effects between metabolism-targeting and other therapies would be an attractive perspective for further research.
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18
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The cross-talk of autophagy and apoptosis in breast carcinoma: implications for novel therapies? Biochem J 2022; 479:1581-1608. [PMID: 35904454 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in women worldwide. Resistance to drugs and recurrence of the disease are two leading causes of failure in treatment. For a more efficient treatment of patients, the development of novel therapeutic regimes is needed. Recent studies indicate that modulation of autophagy in concert with apoptosis induction may provide a promising novel strategy in breast cancer treatment. Apoptosis and autophagy are two tightly regulated distinct cellular processes. To maintain tissue homeostasis abnormal cells are disposed largely by means of apoptosis. Autophagy, however, contributes to tissue homeostasis and cell fitness by scavenging of damaged organelles, lipids, proteins, and DNA. Defects in autophagy promote tumorigenesis, whereas upon tumor formation rapidly proliferating cancer cells may rely on autophagy to survive. Given that evasion of apoptosis is one of the characteristic hallmarks of cancer cells, inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis can negatively influence cancer cell survival and increase cell death. Hence, combination of antiautophagic agents with the enhancement of apoptosis may restore apoptosis and provide a therapeutic advantage against breast cancer. In this review, we discuss the cross-talk of autophagy and apoptosis and the diverse facets of autophagy in breast cancer cells leading to novel models for more effective therapeutic strategies.
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19
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Gillson J, Abd El-Aziz YS, Leck LYW, Jansson PJ, Pavlakis N, Samra JS, Mittal A, Sahni S. Autophagy: A Key Player in Pancreatic Cancer Progression and a Potential Drug Target. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143528. [PMID: 35884592 PMCID: PMC9315706 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143528] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary With the mortality rate of pancreatic cancer predicted to rise over the coming years, it is essential that effective treatment strategies are developed as soon as possible. Pancreatic cancer has always proven very difficult to treat due to its fast growing and aggressive nature. Chemotherapeutic treatment has struggled to increase the survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients due to effective chemo-resistant properties that derive from the supporting tumor microenvironment and autophagy, a vital survival pathway. This review will explore how the autophagy pathway and tumor microenvironment help to sustain tumor survival under stress and expand into a metastatic state. Due to the comprehensive understanding of the autophagy pathway, we will highlight the potential chinks in the pancreatic tumor’s armor and identify potential targets to overcome chemo-resistance in pancreatic cancer. We will also present novel autophagy inhibitors that could reduce tumor survival and how they could be most effectively conceived. Abstract Pancreatic cancer is known to have the lowest survival outcomes among all major cancers, and unfortunately, this has only been marginally improved over last four decades. The innate characteristics of pancreatic cancer include an aggressive and fast-growing nature from powerful driver mutations, a highly defensive tumor microenvironment and the upregulation of advantageous survival pathways such as autophagy. Autophagy involves targeted degradation of proteins and organelles to provide a secondary source of cellular supplies to maintain cell growth. Elevated autophagic activity in pancreatic cancer is recognized as a major survival pathway as it provides a plethora of support for tumors by supplying vital resources, maintaining tumour survival under the stressful microenvironment and promoting other pathways involved in tumour progression and metastasis. The combination of these features is unique to pancreatic cancer and present significant resistance to chemotherapeutic strategies, thus, indicating a need for further investigation into therapies targeting this crucial pathway. This review will outline the autophagy pathway and its regulation, in addition to the genetic landscape and tumor microenvironment that contribute to pancreatic cancer severity. Moreover, this review will also discuss the mechanisms of novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit autophagy and how they could be used to suppress tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Gillson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Yomna S. Abd El-Aziz
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Lionel Y. W. Leck
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Patric J. Jansson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nick Pavlakis
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Jaswinder S. Samra
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Upper GI Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Anubhav Mittal
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Upper GI Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-9926-7829
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20
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Zhou S, Sun X, Jin Z, Yang H, Ye W. The role of autophagy in initiation, progression, TME modification, diagnosis, and treatment of esophageal cancers. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 175:103702. [PMID: 35577254 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved metabolic process with a cytoprotective function. Autophagy is involved in cancer, infection, immunity, and inflammation and may be a potential therapeutic target. Increasing evidence has revealed that autophagy has primary implications for esophageal cancer, including its initiation, progression, tumor microenvironment (TME) modification, diagnosis, and treatment. Notably, autophagy displayed excellent application potential in radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy. Radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy is a new potential therapeutic strategy for cancers, including esophageal cancer. Autophagy modulators can work as adjuvant enhancers in radiotherapy or immunotherapy of cancers. This review highlights the most recent data related to the role of autophagy regulation in esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suna Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710018, P.R. China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou 317000, Zhejiang, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou, P.R. China
| | - Xuefeng Sun
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou 317000, Zhejiang, P.R. China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhicheng Jin
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou 317000, Zhejiang, P.R. China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, P.R. China
| | - Haihua Yang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou 317000, Zhejiang, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou, P.R. China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, P.R. China
| | - Wenguang Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
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21
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Pillai S, Mahmud I, Mahar R, Griffith C, Langsen M, Nguyen J, Wojtkowiak JW, Swietach P, Gatenby RA, Bui MM, Merritt ME, McDonald P, Garrett TJ, Gillies RJ. Lipogenesis mediated by OGR1 regulates metabolic adaptation to acid stress in cancer cells via autophagy. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110796. [PMID: 35545051 PMCID: PMC9137419 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors exhibit altered metabolism resulting in a highly acidic extracellular microenvironment. Here, we show that cytoplasmic lipid droplet (LD) accumulation, indicative of a lipogenic phenotype, is a cellular adaption to extracellular acidity. LD marker PLIN2 is strongly associated with poor overall survival in breast cancer patients. Acid-induced LD accumulation is triggered by activation of the acid-sensing G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) OGR1, which is expressed highly in breast tumors. OGR1 depletion inhibits acid-induced lipid accumulation, while activation by a synthetic agonist triggers LD formation. Inhibition of OGR1 downstream signaling abrogates the lipogenic phenotype, which can be rescued with OGR1 ectopic expression. OGR1-depleted cells show growth inhibition under acidic growth conditions in vitro and tumor formation in vivo. Isotope tracing shows that the source of lipid precursors is primarily autophagy-derived ketogenic amino acids. OGR1-depleted cells are defective in endoplasmic reticulum stress response and autophagy and hence fail to accumulate LDs affecting survival under acidic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Pillai
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Iqbal Mahmud
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rohit Mahar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Crystal Griffith
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael Langsen
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jonathan Nguyen
- Analytical Microscopy Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jonathan W Wojtkowiak
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Robert A Gatenby
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Marilyn M Bui
- Analytical Microscopy Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Matthew E Merritt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Patricia McDonald
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Timothy J Garrett
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert J Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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22
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Wu TC, Liao CY, Lu WC, Chang CR, Tsai FY, Jiang SS, Chen TH, Lin KMC, Chen LT, Chang WSW. Identification of distinct slow mode of reversible adaptation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to the prolonged acidic pH microenvironment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:137. [PMID: 35410237 PMCID: PMC8996570 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02329-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common pancreatic neoplasm with high metastatic potential and poor clinical outcome. Like other solid tumors, PDAC in the early stages is often asymptomatic, and grows very slowly under a distinct acidic pHe (extracellular pH) microenvironment. However, most previous studies have only reported the fate of cancerous cells upon cursory exposure to acidic pHe conditions. Little is known about how solid tumors-such as the lethal PDAC originating within the pancreatic duct-acinar system that secretes alkaline fluids-evolve to withstand and adapt to the prolonged acidotic microenvironmental stress. METHODS Representative PDAC cells were exposed to various biologically relevant periods of extracellular acidity. The time effects of acidic pHe stress were determined with respect to tumor cell proliferation, phenotypic regulation, autophagic control, metabolic plasticity, mitochondrial network dynamics, and metastatic potentials. RESULTS Unlike previous short-term analyses, we found that the acidosis-mediated autophagy occurred mainly as an early stress response but not for later adaptation to microenvironmental acidification. Rather, PDAC cells use a distinct and lengthy process of reversible adaptive plasticity centered on the early fast and later slow mitochondrial network dynamics and metabolic adjustment. This regulates their acute responses and chronic adaptations to the acidic pHe microenvironment. A more malignant state with increased migratory and invasive potentials in long-term acidosis-adapted PDAC cells was obtained with key regulatory molecules being closely related to overall patient survival. Finally, the identification of 34 acidic pHe-related genes could be potential targets for the development of diagnosis and treatment against PDAC. CONCLUSIONS Our study offers a novel mechanism of early rapid response and late reversible adaptation of PDAC cells to the stress of extracellular acidosis. The presence of this distinctive yet slow mode of machinery fills an important knowledge gap in how solid tumor cells sense, respond, reprogram, and ultimately adapt to the persistent microenvironmental acidification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Chin Wu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Liao
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chien Lu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
| | - Chuang-Rung Chang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044 Taiwan
| | - Fang-Yu Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
| | - Shih-Sheng Jiang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
- Current address: Ditmanson Medical Foundation, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, 60002 Taiwan
| | - Kurt Ming-Chao Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
| | - Wun-Shaing Wayne Chang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 350401 Taiwan
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23
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Tumor Cell Glycolysis—At the Crossroad of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Autophagy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11061041. [PMID: 35326492 PMCID: PMC8947107 DOI: 10.3390/cells11061041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Upregulation of glycolysis, induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and macroautophagy (hereafter autophagy), are phenotypic changes that occur in tumor cells, in response to similar stimuli, either tumor cell-autonomous or from the tumor microenvironment. Available evidence, herein reviewed, suggests that glycolysis can play a causative role in the induction of EMT and autophagy in tumor cells. Thus, glycolysis has been shown to induce EMT and either induce or inhibit autophagy. Glycolysis-induced autophagy occurs both in the presence (glucose starvation) or absence (glucose sufficiency) of metabolic stress. In order to explain these, in part, contradictory experimental observations, we propose that in the presence of stimuli, tumor cells respond by upregulating glycolysis, which will then induce EMT and inhibit autophagy. In the presence of stimuli and glucose starvation, upregulated glycolysis leads to adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and autophagy induction. In the presence of stimuli and glucose sufficiency, upregulated glycolytic enzymes (e.g., aldolase or glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) or decreased levels of glycolytic metabolites (e.g., dihydroxyacetone phosphate) may mimic a situation of metabolic stress (herein referred to as “pseudostarvation”), leading, directly or indirectly, to AMPK activation and autophagy induction. We also discuss possible mechanisms, whereby glycolysis can induce a mixed mesenchymal/autophagic phenotype in tumor cells. Subsequently, we address unresolved problems in this field and possible therapeutic consequences.
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24
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Worsley CM, Veale RB, Mayne ES. The acidic tumour microenvironment: Manipulating the immune response to elicit escape. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:399-408. [PMID: 35216847 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The success of cancer treatment relies on the composition of the tumour microenvironment which is comprised of tumour cells, blood vessels, stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components. Barriers to effective cancer treatment need to be overcome, and the acidic microenvironment of the tumour provides a key target for treatment. This review intends to provide an overview of the effects that low extracellular pH has on components of the tumour microenvironment and how they contribute to immune escape. Further, potential therapeutic targets will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Worsley
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Haematology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa.
| | - Rob B Veale
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth S Mayne
- Department of Haematology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Department of Immunology Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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25
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Su T, Huang S, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Zhang S, Guan J, Meng M, Liu L, Wang C, Yu D, Kwan HY, Huang Z, Huang Q, Lai-Han Leung E, Hu M, Wang Y, Liu Z, Lu L. miR-7/TGF- β2 axis sustains acidic tumor microenvironment-induced lung cancer metastasis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:821-837. [PMID: 35251919 PMCID: PMC8896986 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidosis, regardless of hypoxia involvement, is recognized as a chronic and harsh tumor microenvironment (TME) that educates malignant cells to thrive and metastasize. Although overwhelming evidence supports an acidic environment as a driver or ubiquitous hallmark of cancer progression, the unrevealed core mechanisms underlying the direct effect of acidification on tumorigenesis have hindered the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and clinical therapy. Here, chemical-induced and transgenic mouse models for colon, liver and lung cancer were established, respectively. miR-7 and TGF-β2 expressions were examined in clinical tissues (n = 184). RNA-seq, miRNA-seq, proteomics, biosynthesis analyses and functional studies were performed to validate the mechanisms involved in the acidic TME-induced lung cancer metastasis. Our data show that lung cancer is sensitive to the increased acidification of TME, and acidic TME-induced lung cancer metastasis via inhibition of miR-7-5p. TGF-β2 is a direct target of miR-7-5p. The reduced expression of miR-7-5p subsequently increases the expression of TGF-β2 which enhances the metastatic potential of the lung cancer. Indeed, overexpression of miR-7-5p reduces the acidic pH-enhanced lung cancer metastasis. Furthermore, the human lung tumor samples also show a reduced miR-7-5p expression but an elevated level of activated TGF-β2; the expressions of both miR-7-5p and TGF-β2 are correlated with patients' survival. We are the first to identify the role of the miR-7/TGF-β2 axis in acidic pH-enhanced lung cancer metastasis. Our study not only delineates how acidification directly affects tumorigenesis, but also suggests miR-7 is a novel reliable biomarker for acidic TME and a novel therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Our study opens an avenue to explore the pH-sensitive subcellular components as novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
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Key Words
- AOM/DSS, azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate
- Acidic tumor microenvironment
- B[a]P, benzopyrene
- CA9, carbonic anhydrase IX
- DAB, diaminobenzidine
- DAVID, Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery
- DEGs, differentially expressed genes
- DEN, diethylnitrosamine
- DEPs, differentially expressed proteins
- DSS, dextran sodium sulfate
- GEMMs, genetically engineered tumor mouse models
- GSEA, gene set enrichment analysis
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- ISH, in situ hybridization
- Invasion
- KEGG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
- LUAD, lung adenocarcinoma
- LUSC, lung squamous cell carcinoma
- Lung cancer
- MCT, monocarboxylate transporter
- Metastasis
- NHE, Na+/H+ exchanger
- NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- TGF-β2
- TME, tumor microenvironment
- TMT, tandem mass tagging
- V-ATPase, vacuolar ATPase
- miR-7-5p
- pH
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Autophagic Flux Unleashes GATA4-NF- κB Axis to Promote Antioxidant Defense-Dependent Survival of Colorectal Cancer Cells under Chronic Acidosis. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2021:8189485. [PMID: 34987705 PMCID: PMC8720590 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8189485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors are usually associated with extracellular acidosis due to their increased dependence on glycolysis and poor vascularization. Cancer cells gradually become adapted to acidic microenvironment and even acquire increased aggressiveness. They are resistant to apoptosis but exhibit increased autophagy that is essential for their survival. We here show that NF-κB, a master regulator of cellular responses to stress, is upregulated in colorectal cancer cells adapted to acidosis (CRC-AA). NF-κB is more relied upon for survival in CRC-AA than in their parental cells and drives a robust antioxidant response. Supplementation of antioxidant abolishes the increased sensitivity of CRC-AA to NF-κB inhibition or depletion, suggesting that NF-κB supports the survival of CRC-AA by maintaining redox homeostasis. Because SQSTM1/p62 is known to mediate the selective autophagy of GATA4 that augments NF-κB function, we tested whether the enhanced autophagic flux and consequently the reduction of SQSTM1/p62 in CRC-AA cells could activate the GATA4-NF-κB axis. Indeed, GATA4 is upregulated in CRC-AA cells and augments the NF-κB activity that underlies the increased expression of cytokines, inhibition of apoptosis, and reduction of reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, secretory factors derived from HCT15-AA cells, the soluble ICAM-1 in particular, also possess antioxidant cytoprotective effect against acidic stress. Together, our results demonstrate a prosurvival role of the p62-restricted GATA4-NF-κB axis in cancer cells adapted to acidic microenvironment.
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27
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The role of tumor acidification in aggressiveness, cell dissemination and treatment resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Life Sci 2022; 288:120163. [PMID: 34822797 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120163] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the role of tumor acidification in cell behavior, migration, and treatment resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MAIN METHODS The SCC4 and SCC25 cell lines were exposed to acidified (pH 6.8) cell culture medium for 7 days. Alternatively, a long-term acidosis was induced for 21 days. In addition, to mimic dynamic pH fluctuation of the tumor microenvironment, cells were reconditioned to neutral pH after experimental acidosis. This study assessed cell proliferation and viability by sulforhodamine B and flow cytometry. Individual and collective cell migration was analyzed by wound healing, time lapse, and transwell assays. Modifications of cell phenotype, EMT induction and stemness potential were investigated by qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Finally, resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy of OSCC when exposed to acidified environmental conditions (pH 6.8) was determined. KEY FINDINGS The exposure to an acidic microenvironment caused an initial reduction of OSCC cells viability, followed by an adaptation process. Acidic adapted cells acquired a mesenchymal-like phenotype along with increased migration and motility indexes. Moreover, tumoral extracellular acidity was capable to induce cellular stemness and to increase chemo- and radioresistance of oral cancer cells. SIGNIFICANCE In summary, the results showed that the acidic microenvironment leads to a more aggressive and treatment resistant OSCC cell population.
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28
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Andreucci E, Peppicelli S, Ruzzolini J, Bianchini F, Calorini L. Physicochemical aspects of the tumour microenvironment as drivers of vasculogenic mimicry. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:935-951. [PMID: 36224457 PMCID: PMC9758104 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Tumour vascularisation is vital for cancer sustainment representing not only the main source of nutrients and oxygen supply but also an escape route for single or clustered cancer cells that, once detached from the primary mass, enter the blood circulation and disseminate to distant organs. Among the mechanisms identified to contribute to tumour vascularisation, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is gaining increasing interest in the scientific community representing an intriguing target for cancer treatment. VM indeed associates with highly aggressive tumour phenotypes and strongly impairs patient outcomes. Differently from vessels of healthy tissues, tumour vasculature is extremely heterogeneous and tortuous, impeding efficient chemotherapy delivery, and at the meantime hyperpermeable and thus extremely accessible to metastasising cancer cells. Moreover, tumour vessel disorganisation creates a self-reinforcing vicious circle fuelling cancer malignancy and progression. Because of the inefficient oxygen delivery and metabolic waste removal from tumour vessels, many cells within the tumour mass indeed experience hypoxia and acidosis, now considered hallmarks of cancer. Being strong inducers of vascularisation, therapy resistance, inflammation and metastasis, hypoxia and acidosis create a permissive microenvironment for cancer progression and dissemination. Along with these considerations, we decided to focus our attention on the relationship between hypoxia/acidosis and VM. Indeed, besides tumour angiogenesis, VM is strongly influenced by both hypoxia and acidosis, which could potentiate each other and fuel this vicious circle. Thus, targeting hypoxia and acidosis may represent a potential target to treat VM to impair tumour perfusion and cancer cell sustainment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Andreucci
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Peppicelli
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jessica Ruzzolini
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianchini
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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29
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30
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Zhang P, Cheng S, Sheng X, Dai H, He K, Du Y. The role of autophagy in regulating metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Genes Dis 2021; 10:447-456. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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31
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Blaszczak W, Swietach P. What do cellular responses to acidity tell us about cancer? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:1159-1176. [PMID: 34850320 PMCID: PMC8825410 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-10005-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The notion that invasive cancer is a product of somatic evolution is a well-established theory that can be modelled mathematically and demonstrated empirically from therapeutic responses. Somatic evolution is by no means deterministic, and ample opportunities exist to steer its trajectory towards cancer cell extinction. One such strategy is to alter the chemical microenvironment shared between host and cancer cells in a way that no longer favours the latter. Ever since the first description of the Warburg effect, acidosis has been recognised as a key chemical signature of the tumour microenvironment. Recent findings have suggested that responses to acidosis, arising through a process of selection and adaptation, give cancer cells a competitive advantage over the host. A surge of research efforts has attempted to understand the basis of this advantage and seek ways of exploiting it therapeutically. Here, we review key findings and place these in the context of a mathematical framework. Looking ahead, we highlight areas relating to cellular adaptation, selection, and heterogeneity that merit more research efforts in order to close in on the goal of exploiting tumour acidity in future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiktoria Blaszczak
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, England
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, England.
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32
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Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225622. [PMID: 34830777 PMCID: PMC8616104 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The modulation of autophagy represents a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer. More than one hundred clinical trials have been conducted or are ongoing to explore the efficacy of autophagy modulators to reduce the tumor growth and potentiate the anti-cancer effects of conventional therapy. Despite this, the effective role of autophagy during tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis remains not well understood. Depending on the cancer type and stage of cancer, autophagy may have tumor suppressor properties as well as help cancer cells to proliferate and evade cancer therapy. The current review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the autophagy implications in cancer and report the therapeutic opportunities based on the modulation of the autophagy process. Abstract The malignant transformation of a cell produces the accumulation of several cellular adaptions. These changes determine variations in biological processes that are necessary for a cancerous cell to survive during stressful conditions. Autophagy is the main nutrient recycling and metabolic adaptor mechanism in eukaryotic cells, represents a continuous source of energy and biomolecules, and is fundamental to preserve the correct cellular homeostasis during unfavorable conditions. In recent decades, several findings demonstrate a close relationship between autophagy, malignant transformation, and cancer progression. The evidence suggests that autophagy in the cancer context has a bipolar role (it may act as a tumor suppressor and as a mechanism of cell survival for established tumors) and demonstrates that the targeting of autophagy may represent novel therapeutic opportunities. Accordingly, the modulation of autophagy has important clinical benefits in patients affected by diverse cancer types. Currently, about 30 clinical trials are actively investigating the efficacy of autophagy modulators to enhance the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy treatments. A deeper understanding of the molecular pathways regulating autophagy in the cancer context will provide new ways to target autophagy for improving the therapeutic benefits. Herein, we describe how autophagy participates during malignant transformation and cancer progression, and we report the ultimate efforts to translate this knowledge into specific therapeutic approaches to treat and cure human cancers.
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33
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Zegota M, Müller MA, Lantzberg B, Kizilsavas G, Coelho JAS, Moscariello P, Martínez-Negro M, Morsbach S, Gois PMP, Wagner M, Ng DYW, Kuan SL, Weil T. Dual Stimuli-Responsive Dynamic Covalent Peptide Tags: Toward Sequence-Controlled Release in Tumor-like Microenvironments. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:17047-17058. [PMID: 34632780 PMCID: PMC8532147 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCvC) has emerged as a versatile synthetic tool for devising stable, stimuli-responsive linkers or conjugates. The interplay of binding affinity, association and dissociation constants exhibits a strong influence on the selectivity of the reaction, the conversion rate, as well as the stability in aqueous solutions. Nevertheless, dynamic covalent interactions often exhibit fast binding and fast dissociation events or vice versa, affecting their conversion rates or stabilities. To overcome the limitation in linker design, we reported herein dual responsive dynamic covalent peptide tags combining a pH responsive boronate ester with fast association and dissociation rates, and a redox-active disulfide with slow formation and dissociation rate. Precoordination by boronic acid-catechol interaction improves self-sorting and selectivity in disulfide formation into heterodimers. The resulting bis-peptide conjugate exhibited improved complex stability in aqueous solution and acidic tumor-like extracellular microenvironment. Furthermore, the conjugate responds to pH changes within the physiological range as well as to redox conditions found inside cancer cells. Such tags hold great promise, through cooperative effects, for controlling the stability of bioconjugates under dilution in aqueous media, as well as designing intelligent pharmaceutics that react to distinct biological stimuli in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksymilian
Marek Zegota
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Bellinda Lantzberg
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gönül Kizilsavas
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jaime A. S. Coelho
- Centro
de Química Estrutural, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - María Martínez-Negro
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Svenja Morsbach
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Pedro M. P. Gois
- Research
Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Manfred Wagner
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - David Y. W. Ng
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Seah Ling Kuan
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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34
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Wang Y, Zhang J, Jiang P, Li K, Sun Y, Huang Y. ASIC1a promotes acidic microenvironment-induced HCC cells migration and invasion by inducing autophagy. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 907:174252. [PMID: 34116040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of liver cancer with high incidence and metastatic rate. Recent studies have shown that the high metastasis of HCC is closely related to the acidic microenvironment of HCC cells. Acid-sensing ion Channel 1a (ASIC1a) plays an important role in HCC development, which can mediate tumor cell migration and invasion. However, the underlying mechanism of how ASIC1a promotes HCC cell migration and invasion in acidic microenvironments remains unclear, while autophagy may act as a mechanism for tumor cells to adapt to acidic microenvironment. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether ASIC1a mediates autophagy and its effects on the migration and invasion of HCC cells. Interestingly, our study has shown that ASIC1a and autophagy were increased in HepG2 cells in acidic microenvironment, and both of them can promote HCC cells migration and invasion. Moreover, inhibition of ASIC1a with PcTx1 or ASIC1a ShRNA reduced the autophagy flux. Collectively, ASIC1a can promote acidic microenvironment-induced HepG2 cells migration and invasion by inducing autophagy, which may be correlated with Ca2+ influx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Yancai Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China.
| | - Yan Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
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Chafe SC, Vizeacoumar FS, Venkateswaran G, Nemirovsky O, Awrey S, Brown WS, McDonald PC, Carta F, Metcalfe A, Karasinska JM, Huang L, Muthuswamy SK, Schaeffer DF, Renouf DJ, Supuran CT, Vizeacoumar FJ, Dedhar S. Genome-wide synthetic lethal screen unveils novel CAIX-NFS1/xCT axis as a targetable vulnerability in hypoxic solid tumors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/35/eabj0364. [PMID: 34452919 PMCID: PMC8397268 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj0364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The metabolic mechanisms involved in the survival of tumor cells within the hypoxic niche remain unclear. We carried out a synthetic lethal CRISPR screen to identify survival mechanisms governed by the tumor hypoxia-induced pH regulator carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). We identified a redox homeostasis network containing the iron-sulfur cluster enzyme, NFS1. Depletion of NFS1 or blocking cyst(e)ine availability by inhibiting xCT, while targeting CAIX, enhanced ferroptosis and significantly inhibited tumor growth. Suppression of CAIX activity acidified intracellular pH, increased cellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, and induced susceptibility to alterations in iron homeostasis. Mechanistically, inhibiting bicarbonate production by CAIX or sodium-driven bicarbonate transport, while targeting xCT, decreased adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation and increased acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 activation. Thus, an alkaline intracellular pH plays a critical role in suppressing ferroptosis, a finding that may lead to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for solid tumors to overcome hypoxia- and acidosis-mediated tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn C Chafe
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Frederick S Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Geetha Venkateswaran
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Oksana Nemirovsky
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Shannon Awrey
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Wells S Brown
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Paul C McDonald
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Florence 50019, Italy
| | | | | | - Ling Huang
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Senthil K Muthuswamy
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David F Schaeffer
- Pancreas Centre BC, Vancouver, BC V3Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Daniel J Renouf
- Pancreas Centre BC, Vancouver, BC V3Z 1M9, Canada
- Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E67, Canada
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Franco J Vizeacoumar
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada
- Cancer Research Department, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK S7N 4E5, Canada
| | - Shoukat Dedhar
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Ion Channels, Transporters, and Sensors Interact with the Acidic Tumor Microenvironment to Modify Cancer Progression. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 182:39-84. [PMID: 34291319 DOI: 10.1007/112_2021_63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors, including breast carcinomas, are heterogeneous but typically characterized by elevated cellular turnover and metabolism, diffusion limitations based on the complex tumor architecture, and abnormal intra- and extracellular ion compositions particularly as regards acid-base equivalents. Carcinogenesis-related alterations in expression and function of ion channels and transporters, cellular energy levels, and organellar H+ sequestration further modify the acid-base composition within tumors and influence cancer cell functions, including cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Cancer cells defend their cytosolic pH and HCO3- concentrations better than normal cells when challenged with the marked deviations in extracellular H+, HCO3-, and lactate concentrations typical of the tumor microenvironment. Ionic gradients determine the driving forces for ion transporters and channels and influence the membrane potential. Cancer and stromal cells also sense abnormal ion concentrations via intra- and extracellular receptors that modify cancer progression and prognosis. With emphasis on breast cancer, the current review first addresses the altered ion composition and the changes in expression and functional activity of ion channels and transporters in solid cancer tissue. It then discusses how ion channels, transporters, and cellular sensors under influence of the acidic tumor microenvironment shape cancer development and progression and affect the potential of cancer therapies.
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Ordway B, Gillies RJ, Damaghi M. Extracellular Acidification Induces Lysosomal Dysregulation. Cells 2021; 10:1188. [PMID: 34067971 PMCID: PMC8152284 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Many invasive cancers emerge through a years-long process of somatic evolution, characterized by an accumulation of heritable genetic and epigenetic changes and the emergence of increasingly aggressive clonal populations. In solid tumors, such as breast ductal carcinoma, the extracellular environment for cells within the nascent tumor is harsh and imposes different types of stress on cells, such as hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and cytokine inflammation. Acidosis is a constant stressor of most cancer cells due to its production through fermentation of glucose to lactic acid in hypoxic or normoxic regions (Warburg effect). Over a short period of time, acid stress can have a profound effect on the function of lysosomes within the cells exposed to this environment, and after long term exposure, lysosomal function of the cancer cells can become completely dysregulated. Whether this dysregulation is due to an epigenetic change or evolutionary selection has yet to be determined, but understanding the mechanisms behind this dysregulation could identify therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce Ordway
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Robert J. Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Mehdi Damaghi
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (R.J.G.)
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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Wang S, Lv Y, Zhou Y, Ling J, Wang H, Gu D, Wang C, Qin W, Zheng X, Jin H. Acidic extracellular pH induces autophagy to promote anoikis resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via downregulation of miR-3663-3p. J Cancer 2021; 12:3418-3426. [PMID: 33995620 PMCID: PMC8120191 DOI: 10.7150/jca.51849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the major reason for poor prognosis and high fatality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to the “Warburg effect”, an acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) exists in solid tumors and plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. Thus, clarifying the mechanism underlying the acidic TME in tumor metastasis could facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies for HCC. Anoikis resistance is one of the most important events in the early stage of cancer metastasis. Here, we report that acidic extracellular pH (pHe) promotes autophagy of HCC cells via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. We found that autophagy induced by acidity enhances anoikis resistance of HCC cells, which could be reversed by autophagy inhibitors. Furthermore, miR-3663-3p was downregulated by acidity, and overexpression of miR-3663-3p abolished acidic pHe-induced autophagy and anoikis resistance. In summary, acidic pHe enhances anoikis resistance of HCC cells by inducing autophagy, which is regulated by miR-3663-3p. Our findings provide new insight into how the acidic TME is involved in HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yangyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dishui Gu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
| | - Cun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenxin Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xingling Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Haojie Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 25/Ln 2200 Xie-Tu Road, Shanghai 200032, China
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Hettiarachchi SD, Kirbas Cilingir E, Maklouf H, Seven ES, Paudyal S, Vanni S, Graham RM, Leblanc RM. pH and redox triggered doxorubicin release from covalently linked carbon dots conjugates. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:5507-5518. [PMID: 33688879 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr08381j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment responsive drug delivery systems are potential approaches to reduce the acute toxicity caused by high-dose cancer chemotherapy. Notwithstanding the conventional nano-drug delivery systems, the redox and pH stimuli drug delivery systems are currently gaining attention. Therefore, the current study was designed to compare three different covalent carbon dots (C-dots) systems based on doxorubicin (dox) release profiles and cancer cell viability efficacy under acidic and physiological conditions. The C-dots nanosystems that were examined in this study are directly conjugated (C-dots-dox), pH triggered (C-dots-HBA-dox), and the redox stimuli (C-dots-S-S-dox) conjugates. The drug loading content (DLC%) of the C-dots-S-S-dox, C-dots-HBA-dox, and C-dots-dox was 34.2 ± 0.4, 60.0 ± 0.3, and 70.0 ± 0.2%, respectively, that examined by UV-vis spectral analysis. The dox release paradigms were emphasized that all three conjugates were promisingly released the dox from C-dots faster in acidic pH than in physiological pH. The displayed highest dox released percentage in the acidic medium was 74.6 ± 0.8% obtained by the pH stimuli, C-dots-HBA-dox conjugate. When introducing the redox inducer, dithiothreitol (DTT), preferentially, the redox stimuli C-dot-S-S-dox conjugate demonstrated a faster dox release at acidic pH than in the pH 7.4. The SJGBM2 cell viability experiments revealed that the pH stimuli, C-dots-HBA-dox conjugate, displayed a significant cell viability drop in the artificially acidified pH 6.4 medium. However, in the physiological pH, the redox stimuli, C-dots-S-S-dox conjugate, was promising over the pH stimuli C-dots-HBA-dox, exhibiting cell viability of 60%, though its' efficacy dropped slightly in the artificially acidified pH 6.4 medium. Moreover, the current study illustrates the stimuli conjugates' remarkable efficacy on sustain drug release than direct amide linkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajini D Hettiarachchi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA.
| | - Emel Kirbas Cilingir
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA.
| | - Heidi Maklouf
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Elif S Seven
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA.
| | - Suraj Paudyal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA.
| | - Steven Vanni
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Regina M Graham
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1475 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Roger M Leblanc
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, USA.
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Liu X, Jiang J, Liao Y, Tang I, Zheng E, Qiu W, Lin M, Wang X, Ji Y, Mei K, Liu Q, Chang CH, Wainberg ZA, Nel AE, Meng H. Combination Chemo-Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Using the Immunogenic Effects of an Irinotecan Silicasome Nanocarrier Plus Anti-PD-1. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2002147. [PMID: 33747719 PMCID: PMC7967046 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop new life-prolonging therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is demonstrated that improved irinotecan delivery by a lipid bilayer coated mesoporous silica nanoparticle, also known as a silicasome, can improve PDAC survival through a chemo-immunotherapy response in an orthotopic Kras-dependent pancreatic cancer model. This discovery is premised on the weak-basic properties of irinotecan, which neutralizes the acidic lysosomal pH in PDAC cells. This effect triggers a linked downstream cascade of events that include autophagy inhibition, endoplasmic reticulum stress, immunogenic cell death (ICD), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. ICD is characterized by calreticulin expression and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release in dying Kras-induced pancreatic cancer (KPC) cells, which is demonstrated in a vaccination experiment to prevent KPC tumor growth on the contralateral site. The improved delivery of irinotecan by the silicasome is accompanied by robust antitumor immunity, which can be synergistically enhanced by anti-PD-1 in the orthotopic model. Immunophenotyping confirms the expression of calreticulin, HMGB1, PD-L1, and an autophagy marker, in addition to perforin and granzyme B deposition. The chemo-immunotherapy response elicited by the silicasome is more robust than free or a liposomal drug, Onivyde. The silicasome plus anti-PD-1 leads to significantly enhanced survival improvement, and is far superior to anti-PD-1 plus either free irinotecan or Onivyde.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangsheng Liu
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- Present address:
The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC)Chinese Academy of SciencesHangzhouZhejiang310022China
| | - Jinhong Jiang
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Yu‐Pei Liao
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Ivanna Tang
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Emily Zheng
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Waveley Qiu
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Matthew Lin
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Xiang Wang
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Ying Ji
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Kuo‐Ching Mei
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Qi Liu
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Chong Hyun Chang
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Zev A. Wainberg
- Division of Hematology OncologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Andre E. Nel
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Huan Meng
- Division of NanomedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
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Dey P, Kimmelman AC, DePinho RA. Metabolic Codependencies in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1067-1081. [PMID: 33504580 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming enables cancer cell growth, proliferation, and survival. This reprogramming is driven by the combined actions of oncogenic alterations in cancer cells and host cell factors acting on cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms activate signal transduction components that either directly enhance metabolic enzyme activity or upregulate transcription factors that in turn increase expression of metabolic regulators. Extrinsic signaling mechanisms involve host-derived factors that further promote and amplify metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. This review describes intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms driving cancer metabolism in the tumor microenvironment and how such mechanisms may be targeted therapeutically. SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer cell metabolic reprogramming is a consequence of the converging signals originating from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic signaling maintains the baseline metabolic state, whereas extrinsic signals fine-tune the metabolic processes based on the availability of metabolites and the requirements of the cells. Therefore, successful targeting of metabolic pathways will require a nuanced approach based on the cancer's genotype, tumor microenvironment composition, and tissue location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasenjit Dey
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York. .,Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Alec C Kimmelman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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Abstract
Extracellular acidification is a well-known driver of tumorigenesis that has been extensively studied. In contrast, the role of endosomal pH is novel and relatively unexplored. There is emerging evidence from a growing number of studies showing that the pH of endosomal compartments controls proliferation, migration, stemness, and sensitivity to chemoradiation therapy in a variety of tumors. Endosomes are a crucial hub, mediating cellular communication with the external environment. By finely regulating the sorting and trafficking of vesicular cargo for degradation or recycling, endosomal pH determines the fate of plasma membrane proteins, lipids, and extracellular signals including growth factor receptors and their ligands. Several critical regulators of endosomal pH have been identified, including multiple isoforms of the family of electroneutral Na+/H+ exchangers (NHE) such as NHE6 and NHE9. Recent studies have shed light on molecular mechanisms linking endosomal pH to cancer malignancy. Manipulating endosomal pH by epigenetic reprogramming, small molecules, or nanoparticles may offer promising new options in cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize evidence linking endosomal pH to cancer, with a focus on the role of endosomal Na+/H+ exchangers and how they affect the prognosis of cancer patients, and also suggest how regulation of endosomal pH may be exploited to develop new cancer therapies.
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43
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Cortini M, Armirotti A, Columbaro M, Longo DL, Di Pompo G, Cannas E, Maresca A, Errani C, Longhi A, Righi A, Carelli V, Baldini N, Avnet S. Exploring Metabolic Adaptations to the Acidic Microenvironment of Osteosarcoma Cells Unveils Sphingosine 1-Phosphate as a Valuable Therapeutic Target. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020311. [PMID: 33467731 PMCID: PMC7830496 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary By studying the role of tumor acidosis in osteosarcoma, we have identified a novel lipid signaling pathway that is selectively activated in acid-induced highly metastatic cell subpopulation. Furthermore, when combined to low-serine/glycine diet, the targeting of this acid-induced lipid pathway by the FDA-approved drug FTY720 significantly impaired tumor growth. This new knowledge will provide a giant leap in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for sarcoma relapses and metastasis. Finally, we paved the way to the recognition of a novel biomarker, as our data provided evidence of significantly high circulating levels in the serum of osteosarcoma patients of S1P, a lipid member of the identified acid-driven metabolic pathway. Abstract Acidity is a key player in cancer progression, modelling a microenvironment that prevents immune surveillance and enhances invasiveness, survival, and drug resistance. Here, we demonstrated in spheroids from osteosarcoma cell lines that the exposure to acidosis remarkably caused intracellular lipid droplets accumulation. Lipid accumulation was also detected in sarcoma tissues in close proximity to tumor area that express the acid-related biomarker LAMP2. Acid-induced lipid droplets-accumulation was not functional to a higher energetic request, but rather to cell survival. As a mechanism, we found increased levels of sphingomyelin and secretion of the sphingosine 1-phosphate, and the activation of the associated sphingolipid pathway and the non-canonical NF-ĸB pathway, respectively. Moreover, decreasing sphingosine 1-phosphate levels (S1P) by FTY720 (Fingolimod) impaired acid-induced tumor survival and migration. As a confirmation of the role of S1P in osteosarcoma, we found S1P high circulating levels (30.8 ± 2.5 nmol/mL, n = 17) in the serum of patients. Finally, when we treated osteosarcoma xenografts with FTY720 combined with low-serine/glycine diet, both lipid accumulation (as measured by magnetic resonance imaging) and tumor growth were greatly inhibited. For the first time, this study profiles the lipidomic rearrangement of sarcomas under acidic conditions, suggesting the use of anti-S1P strategies in combination with standard chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Cortini
- Biomedical Science and Technology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.); (M.C.); (G.D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy; (A.A.); (E.C.)
| | - Marta Columbaro
- Biomedical Science and Technology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.); (M.C.); (G.D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Dario Livio Longo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council of Italy, 10135 Torino, Italy;
| | - Gemma Di Pompo
- Biomedical Science and Technology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.); (M.C.); (G.D.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Elena Cannas
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy; (A.A.); (E.C.)
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Maresca
- Programma di Neurogenetica, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Costantino Errani
- Oncologic Orthopaedic Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Longhi
- Chemotherapy Unit for Musculoskeletal Tumors, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Alberto Righi
- Anatomy and Pathological Histology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Valerio Carelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy;
- Programma di Neurogenetica, IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Nicola Baldini
- Biomedical Science and Technology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.); (M.C.); (G.D.P.); (S.A.)
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Sofia Avnet
- Biomedical Science and Technology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.); (M.C.); (G.D.P.); (S.A.)
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy;
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Pavlatovská B, Machálková M, Brisudová P, Pruška A, Štěpka K, Michálek J, Nečasová T, Beneš P, Šmarda J, Preisler J, Kozubek M, Navrátilová J. Lactic Acidosis Interferes With Toxicity of Perifosine to Colorectal Cancer Spheroids: Multimodal Imaging Analysis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:581365. [PMID: 33344237 PMCID: PMC7746961 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.581365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease with constantly increasing incidence and high mortality. The treatment efficacy could be curtailed by drug resistance resulting from poor drug penetration into tumor tissue and the tumor-specific microenvironment, such as hypoxia and acidosis. Furthermore, CRC tumors can be exposed to different pH depending on the position in the intestinal tract. CRC tumors often share upregulation of the Akt signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the role of external pH in control of cytotoxicity of perifosine, the Akt signaling pathway inhibitor, to CRC cells using 2D and 3D tumor models. In 3D settings, we employed an innovative strategy for simultaneous detection of spatial drug distribution and biological markers of proliferation/apoptosis using a combination of mass spectrometry imaging and immunohistochemistry. In 3D conditions, low and heterogeneous penetration of perifosine into the inner parts of the spheroids was observed. The depth of penetration depended on the treatment duration but not on the external pH. However, pH alteration in the tumor microenvironment affected the distribution of proliferation- and apoptosis-specific markers in the perifosine-treated spheroid. Accurate co-registration of perifosine distribution and biological response in the same spheroid section revealed dynamic changes in apoptotic and proliferative markers occurring not only in the perifosine-exposed cells, but also in the perifosine-free regions. Cytotoxicity of perifosine to both 2D and 3D cultures decreased in an acidic environment below pH 6.7. External pH affects cytotoxicity of the other Akt inhibitor, MK-2206, in a similar way. Our innovative approach for accurate determination of drug efficiency in 3D tumor tissue revealed that cytotoxicity of Akt inhibitors to CRC cells is strongly dependent on pH of the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the effect of pH should be considered during the design and pre-clinical/clinical testing of the Akt-targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Pavlatovská
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Markéta Machálková
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Petra Brisudová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Adam Pruška
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karel Štěpka
- Centre for Biomedical Image Analysis, Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan Michálek
- Centre for Biomedical Image Analysis, Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Tereza Nečasová
- Centre for Biomedical Image Analysis, Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Petr Beneš
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,Center for Biological and Cellular Engineering, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan Šmarda
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan Preisler
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Michal Kozubek
- Centre for Biomedical Image Analysis, Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jarmila Navrátilová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,Center for Biological and Cellular Engineering, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
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45
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Ferraresi A, Girone C, Esposito A, Vidoni C, Vallino L, Secomandi E, Dhanasekaran DN, Isidoro C. How Autophagy Shapes the Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:599915. [PMID: 33364196 PMCID: PMC7753622 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.599915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by a high mortality rate due to the late diagnosis and the elevated metastatic potential. Autophagy, a lysosomal-driven catabolic process, contributes to the macromolecular turnover, cell homeostasis, and survival, and as such, it represents a pathway targetable for anti-cancer therapies. It is now recognized that the vascularization and the cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment influence the development and progression of OC by controlling the availability of nutrients, oxygen, growth factors, and inflammatory and immune-regulatory soluble factors that ultimately impinge on autophagy regulation in cancer cells. An increasing body of evidence indicates that OC carcinogenesis is associated, at least in the early stages, to insufficient autophagy. On the other hand, when the tumor is already established, autophagy activation provides a survival advantage to the cancer cells that face metabolic stress and protects from the macromolecules and organelles damages induced by chemo- and radiotherapy. Additionally, upregulation of autophagy may lead cancer cells to a non-proliferative dormant state that protects the cells from toxic injuries while preserving their stem-like properties. Further to complicate the picture, autophagy is deregulated also in stromal cells. Thus, changes in the tumor microenvironment reflect on the metabolic crosstalk between cancer and stromal cells impacting on their autophagy levels and, consequently, on cancer progression. Here, we present a brief overview of the role of autophagy in OC hallmarks, including tumor dormancy, chemoresistance, metastasis, and cell metabolism, with an emphasis on the bidirectional metabolic crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells in shaping the OC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Ferraresi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Carlo Girone
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Andrea Esposito
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Chiara Vidoni
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Vallino
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Eleonora Secomandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Danny N Dhanasekaran
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Ciro Isidoro
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy
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46
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Damaghi M, Mori H, Byrne S, Xu L, Chen T, Johnson J, Gallant ND, Marusyk A, Borowsky AD, Gillies RJ. Collagen production and niche engineering: A novel strategy for cancer cells to survive acidosis in DCIS and evolve. Evol Appl 2020; 13:2689-2703. [PMID: 33294017 PMCID: PMC7691473 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing tumors are dynamic and nonlinear ecosystems, wherein cancer cells adapt to their local microenvironment, and these adaptations further modify the environment, inducing more changes. From nascent intraductal neoplasms to disseminated metastatic disease, several levels of evolutionary adaptations and selections occur. Here, we focus on one example of such an adaptation mechanism, namely, "niche construction" promoted by adaptation to acidosis, which is a metabolic adaptation to the early harsh environment in intraductal neoplasms. The avascular characteristics of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) make the periluminal volume profoundly acidic, and cancer cells must adapt to this to survive. Based on discovery proteomics, we hypothesized that a component of acid adaptation involves production of collagen by pre-cancer cells that remodels the extracellular matrix (ECM) and stabilizes cells under acid stress. The proteomic data were surprising as collagen production and deposition are commonly believed to be the responsibility of mesenchymally derived fibroblasts, and not cells of epithelial origin. Subsequent experiments in 3D culture, spinning disk and second harmonic generation microscopy of DCIS lesions in patients' samples are concordant. Collagen production assay by acid-adapted cells in vitro demonstrated that the mechanism of induction involves the RAS and SMAD pathways. Secretome analyses show upregulation of ECM remodeling enzymes such as TGM2 and LOXL2 that are collagen crosslinkers. These data strongly indicate that acidosis in incipient cancers induces collagen production by cancer cells and support the hypothesis that this adaptation initiates a tumor-permissive microenvironment promoting survival and growth of nascent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Damaghi
- Department of Cancer PhysiologyMoffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFLUSA
- Department of Oncologic SciencesMorsani College of MedicineUniversity of South FloridaTampaFLUSA
| | - Hidetoshi Mori
- Center for Immunology and Infectious DiseasesComprehensive Cancer CenterDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of California, DavisSacramentoCAUSA
| | - Samantha Byrne
- Department of Cancer PhysiologyMoffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFLUSA
| | - Liping Xu
- Department of Cancer PhysiologyMoffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFLUSA
| | - Tingan Chen
- Analytic Microscopy CoreMoffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFLUSA
| | - Joseph Johnson
- Analytic Microscopy CoreMoffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFLUSA
| | - Nathan D. Gallant
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of South FloridaTampaFLUSA
| | - Andriy Marusyk
- Department of Cancer PhysiologyMoffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFLUSA
| | - Alexander D. Borowsky
- Center for Immunology and Infectious DiseasesComprehensive Cancer CenterDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of California, DavisSacramentoCAUSA
| | - Robert J. Gillies
- Department of Cancer PhysiologyMoffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFLUSA
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47
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Lee JJY, Leong WK. Towards understanding the mode of action of the cytotoxic triosmium carbonyl cluster Os3(CO)10(NCCH3)2: Its reactivity with amino acids and oligopeptides. J Organomet Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2020.121459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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48
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Chen Y. Recent advances in fluorescent probes for extracellular pH detection and imaging. Anal Biochem 2020; 612:113900. [PMID: 32926864 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular pH plays vital roles in physiological and pathological processes including tumor metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. Abnormal extracellular pH is known to be associated with various pathological states, such as those in tumors, ischemic stroke, infection, and inflammation. Specifically, dysregulated pH is regarded as a hallmark of cancer because enhanced glycolysis and poor perfusion in most solid malignant tumors create an acidic extracellular environment, which enhances tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Close connection between the cell functions with extracellular pH means that precise and real-time measurement of the dynamic change of extracellular pH can provide critical information for not only studying physiological and pathological processes but also diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. This review highlights the recent development of based fluorescent probes for extracellular pH measurement, including design strategies, reaction mechanism and applications for the detection and imaging of extracellular pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
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49
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Saft M, Gonzales-Portillo B, Park YJ, Cozene B, Sadanandan N, Cho J, Garbuzova-Davis S, Borlongan CV. Stem Cell Repair of the Microvascular Damage in Stroke. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092075. [PMID: 32932814 PMCID: PMC7563611 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a life-threatening disease that leads to mortality, with survivors subjected to long-term disability. Microvascular damage is implicated as a key pathological feature, as well as a therapeutic target for stroke. In this review, we present evidence detailing subacute diaschisis in a focal ischemic stroke rat model with a focus on blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and related pathogenic processes in contralateral brain areas. Additionally, we discuss BBB competence in chronic diaschisis in a similar rat stroke model, highlighting the pathological changes in contralateral brain areas that indicate progressive morphological brain disturbances overtime after stroke onset. With diaschisis closely approximating stroke onset and progression, it stands as a treatment of interest for stroke. Indeed, the use of stem cell transplantation for the repair of microvascular damage has been investigated, demonstrating that bone marrow stem cells intravenously transplanted into rats 48 h post-stroke survive and integrate into the microvasculature. Ultrastructural analysis of transplanted stroke brains reveals that microvessels display a near-normal morphology of endothelial cells and their mitochondria. Cell-based therapeutics represent a new mechanism in BBB and microvascular repair for stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - You Jeong Park
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (Y.J.P.); (J.C.); (S.G.-D.)
| | | | | | - Justin Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (Y.J.P.); (J.C.); (S.G.-D.)
| | - Svitlana Garbuzova-Davis
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (Y.J.P.); (J.C.); (S.G.-D.)
| | - Cesar V. Borlongan
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (Y.J.P.); (J.C.); (S.G.-D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +813-974-3988
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50
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Mendes C, Serpa J. Revisiting lactate dynamics in cancer—a metabolic expertise or an alternative attempt to survive? J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:1397-1414. [DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01965-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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