1
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Yu M, Wang S, Zeng Y, Liu P, Li H. SPHK1 Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Lymphangiogenesis Through the Activation of ERK in LECs. Mol Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12033-024-01192-9. [PMID: 38861202 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01192-9] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Lymphatic metastasis is related to an unsatisfactory prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) is an oncogene in cancer. However, the potential effect of SPHK1 on the lymphangiogenesis of pancreatic cancer is little known. In this study, the expression level and role of SPHK1 in pancreatic cancer were evaluated to explore the underlying mechanism involved. The expression of SPHK1 and the lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in pancreatic cancer patient tissue were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The role of SPHK1 in lymphangiogenesis was verified in vitro. Elevated expression of SPHK1 was strongly related to high LVD in pancreatic cancer patient tissue. Silencing of SPHK1 in pancreatic cancer cells observably inhibited lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, the downregulation of SPHK1 markedly attenuated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in lymphatic endothelial cells. This study revealed that SPHK1 might play a crucial role in pancreatic cancer lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengsi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Yujie Zeng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Pingli Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, China.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.
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2
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Takahashi H, Katsuta E, Yan L, Tokumaru Y, Katz MH, Takabe K. Transcriptomic Profile of Lymphovascular Invasion, a Known Risk Factor of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2033. [PMID: 32722116 PMCID: PMC7465682 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is an aggressive pathologic feature and considered a risk factor for distant metastasis. We hypothesized that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) with LVI are associated with shorter survival, as well as aggressive cancer biology and lymphangiogenesis in transcriptomic analysis. Utilizing the cancer genome atlas (TCGA)-PDAC cohort, we found that positive LVI was significantly associated with positive perineural invasion (PNI) (p = 0.023), and higher American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T (p = 0.017) and N (p < 0.001) categories. Furthermore, positive LVI was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) (p = 0.014) and was an independent risk factor of poor OS. Although there was no association between LVI status and lymphangiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), or metastasis-related genes, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis revealed a strong association with cell-proliferation-related gene sets such as mitotic spindles (Normalized enrichment score (NES) = 1.76, p = 0.016) and G2/M checkpoints (NES = 1.75, p = 0.036), as well as with transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling (NES = 1.61, p = 0.043), which is a known mechanism of metastasis in PDACs. In conclusion, positive LVI was an independent risk factor of poor OS in PDACs. We found that PDACs with LVI were possibly associated with accelerated cell proliferation and enhanced TGF-beta signaling independent of lymphangiogenesis. Transcriptomic profiling elucidates more precise tumor biology of LVI-positive PDACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Takahashi
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (H.T.); (E.K.); (Y.T.)
| | - Eriko Katsuta
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (H.T.); (E.K.); (Y.T.)
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA;
| | - Yoshihisa Tokumaru
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (H.T.); (E.K.); (Y.T.)
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Matthew H.G. Katz
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Kazuaki Takabe
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (H.T.); (E.K.); (Y.T.)
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
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3
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Mundry CS, Eberle KC, Singh PK, Hollingsworth MA, Mehla K. Local and systemic immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer: Targeting the stalwarts in tumor's arsenal. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188387. [PMID: 32579889 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Late detection, compromised immune system, and chemotherapy resistance underlie the poor patient prognosis for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, making it the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Cooperation between the tumor cells and the immune system leads to the immune escape and eventual establishment of the tumor. For more than 20 years, sincere efforts have been made to intercept the tumor-immune crosstalk and identify the probable therapeutic targets for breaking self-tolerance toward tumor antigens. However, the success of these studies depends on detailed examination and understanding of tumor-immune cell interactions, not only in the primary tumor but also at distant systemic niches. Innate and adaptive arms of the immune system sculpt tumor immunogenicity, where they not only aid in providing an amenable environment for their survival but also act as a driver for tumor relapse at primary or distant organ sites. This review article highlights the key events associated with tumor-immune communication and associated immunosuppression at both local and systemic microenvironments in PDAC. Furthermore, we discuss the approaches and benefits of targeting both local and systemic immunosuppression for PDAC patients. The present articles integrate data from clinical and genetic mouse model studies to provide a widespread consensus on the role of local and systemic immunosuppression in undermining the anti-tumor immune responses against PDAC.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptive Immunity/drug effects
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Bone Marrow/drug effects
- Bone Marrow/immunology
- Bone Marrow/pathology
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/mortality
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/therapy
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/methods
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Combined Modality Therapy/methods
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease-Free Survival
- Fluorouracil/pharmacology
- Fluorouracil/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/drug effects
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Irinotecan/pharmacology
- Irinotecan/therapeutic use
- Leucovorin/pharmacology
- Leucovorin/therapeutic use
- Lymph Node Excision
- Lymph Nodes/immunology
- Lymph Nodes/pathology
- Lymph Nodes/surgery
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods
- Oxaliplatin/pharmacology
- Oxaliplatin/therapeutic use
- Pancreas/immunology
- Pancreas/pathology
- Pancreas/surgery
- Pancreatectomy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/mortality
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy
- Spleen/immunology
- Spleen/pathology
- Spleen/surgery
- Splenectomy
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Transplantation, Autologous/methods
- Tumor Escape/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- United States/epidemiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara S Mundry
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Kirsten C Eberle
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Kamiya Mehla
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA.
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4
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Wang CA, Chang IH, Hou PC, Tai YJ, Li WN, Hsu PL, Wu SR, Chiu WT, Li CF, Shan YS, Tsai SJ. DUSP2 regulates extracellular vesicle-VEGF-C secretion and pancreatic cancer early dissemination. J Extracell Vesicles 2020; 9:1746529. [PMID: 32341770 PMCID: PMC7170376 DOI: 10.1080/20013078.2020.1746529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early dissemination is a unique characteristic and a detrimental process of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate the role of dual-specificity phosphatase-2 (DUSP2)-vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) axis in mediating PDAC lymphangiogenesis and lymphovascular invasion. Expression of DUSP2 is greatly suppressed in PDAC, which results in increased aberrant expression of extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated VEGF-C secretion. EV-VEGF-C exerts paracrine effects on lymphatic endothelial cells and autocrine effects on cancer cells, resulting in the lymphovascular invasion of cancer cells. Tissue-specific knockout of Dusp2 in mouse pancreas recapitulates PDAC phenotype and lymphovascular invasion. Mechanistically, loss-of-DUSP2 enhances proprotein convertase activity and vesicle trafficking to promote the release of the mature form of EV-VEGF-C. Collectively, these findings represent a conceptual advance in understanding pancreatic cancer lymphovascular invasion and suggest that loss-of-DUSP2-mediated VEGF-C processing may play important roles in early dissemination of pancreatic cancer. Abbreviations: DUSP2: dual-specificity phosphatase-2; VEGF-C: vascular endothelial growth factor-C; EV: extracellular vesicles; PDAC: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; KD: knockdown
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu-An Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - I-Heng Chang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Livestock Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Hou
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jing Tai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ning Li
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Hsu
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Rung Wu
- Institute of Oral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Tai Chiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Feng Li
- Department of Pathology, Chi-Mei Foundational Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.,National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Shen Shan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shaw-Jenq Tsai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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5
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Momeny M, Alishahi Z, Eyvani H, Esmaeili F, Zaghal A, Ghaffari P, Tavakkoly-Bazzaz J, Alimoghaddam K, Ghavamzadeh A, Ghaffari SH. Anti-tumor activity of cediranib, a pan-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2019; 43:81-93. [DOI: 10.1007/s13402-019-00473-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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6
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Shen CN, Goh KS, Huang CR, Chiang TC, Lee CY, Jeng YM, Peng SJ, Chien HJ, Chung MH, Chou YH, Hsieh CC, Kulkarni S, Pasricha PJ, Tien YW, Tang SC. Lymphatic vessel remodeling and invasion in pancreatic cancer progression. EBioMedicine 2019; 47:98-113. [PMID: 31495721 PMCID: PMC6796580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The lymphatic system is involved in metastasis in pancreatic cancer progression. In cancer staging, lymphatic spread has been used to assess the invasiveness of tumor cells. However, from the endothelium's perspective, the analysis downplays the peri-lesional activities of lymphatic vessels. This unintended bias is largely due to the lack of 3-dimensional (3-D) tissue information to depict the lesion microstructure and vasculature in a global and integrated fashion. Methods We targeted the pancreas as the model organ to investigate lymphatic vessel remodeling in cancer lesion progression. Transparent pancreases were prepared by tissue clearing to facilitate deep-tissue, tile-scanning microscopy for 3-D lymphatic network imaging. Findings In human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we identify the close association between the pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions and the lymphatic network. In mouse models of PanIN (elastase-CreER;LSL-KrasG12D and elastase-CreER;LSL-KrasG12D;p53+/−), the 3-D image data reveal the peri-lesional lymphangiogenesis, endothelial invagination, formation of the bridge/valve-like luminal tubules, vasodilation, and luminal invasion. In the orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer, we identify the localized, graft-induced lymphangiogenesis and the peri- and intra-tumoral lymphatic vessel invasion. Interpretation The integrated view of duct lesions and vascular remodeling suggests an active role, rather than a passive target, of lymphatic vessels in the metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Our 3-D image data provide insights into the pancreatic cancer microenvironment and establish the technical and morphological foundation for systematic detection and 3-D analysis of lymphatic vessel invasion. Fund Taiwan Academia Sinica (AS-107-TP-L15 and AS-105-TP-B15), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 106-2321-B-001-048, 106-0210-01-15-02, 106-2321-B-002-034, and 106-2314-B-007-004-MY2), and Taiwan National Health Research Institutes (NHRI EX107-10524EI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ning Shen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - King-Siang Goh
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ruei Huang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Chen Chiang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yuan Lee
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ming Jeng
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jung Peng
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Jen Chien
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hsin Chung
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital - Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hsien Chou
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Che Hsieh
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Subhash Kulkarni
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pankaj J Pasricha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Tien
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Shiue-Cheng Tang
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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7
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Ren B, Cui M, Yang G, Wang H, Feng M, You L, Zhao Y. Tumor microenvironment participates in metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:108. [PMID: 30060755 PMCID: PMC6065152 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0858-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease with high mortality due to difficulties in its early diagnosis and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment induced by interactions between pancreatic epithelial/cancer cells and stromal cells is critical for pancreatic cancer progression and has been implicated in the failure of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Microenvironment formation requires interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and stromal cells. Components of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment that contribute to desmoplasia and immunosuppression are associated with poor patient prognosis. These components can facilitate desmoplasia and immunosuppression in primary and metastatic sites or can promote metastasis by stimulating angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion/migration, and pre-metastatic niche formation. Some molecules participate in both microenvironment formation and metastasis. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms of pancreatic cancer microenvironment formation and discuss how the pancreatic cancer microenvironment participates in metastasis, representing a potential target for combination therapy to enhance overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyu Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Liu HY, Korc M, Lin CC. Biomimetic and enzyme-responsive dynamic hydrogels for studying cell-matrix interactions in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Biomaterials 2018; 160:24-36. [PMID: 29353105 PMCID: PMC5815383 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) governs all aspects of cancer progression and in vitro 3D cell culture platforms are increasingly developed to emulate the interactions between components of the stromal tissues and cancer cells. However, conventional cell culture platforms are inadequate in recapitulating the TME, which has complex compositions and dynamically changing matrix mechanics. In this study, we developed a dynamic gelatin-hyaluronic acid hybrid hydrogel system through integrating modular thiol-norbornene photopolymerization and enzyme-triggered on-demand matrix stiffening. In particular, gelatin was dually modified with norbornene and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid to render this bioactive protein photo-crosslinkable (through thiol-norbornene gelation) and responsive to tyrosinase-triggered on-demand stiffening (through HPA dimerization). In addition to the modified gelatin that provides basic cell adhesive motifs and protease cleavable sequences, hyaluronic acid (HA), an essential tumor matrix, was modularly and covalently incorporated into the cell-laden gel network. We systematically characterized macromer modification, gel crosslinking, as well as enzyme-triggered stiffening and degradation. We also evaluated the influence of matrix composition and dynamic stiffening on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell fate in 3D. We found that either HA-containing matrix or a dynamically stiffened microenvironment inhibited PDAC cell growth. Interestingly, these two factors synergistically induced cell phenotypic changes that resembled cell migration and/or invasion in 3D. Additional mRNA expression array analyses revealed changes unique to the presence of HA, to a stiffened microenvironment, or to the combination of both. Finally, we presented immunostaining and mRNA expression data to demonstrate that these irregular PDAC cell phenotypes were a result of matrix-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Yi Liu
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Murray Korc
- Department of Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, and The Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Chien-Chi Lin
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, and The Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering & Technology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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9
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Tanabe K, Shinsato Y, Furukawa T, Kita Y, Hatanaka K, Minami K, Kawahara K, Yamamoto M, Baba K, Mori S, Uchikado Y, Maemura K, Tanimoto A, Natsugoe S. Filamin C promotes lymphatic invasion and lymphatic metastasis and increases cell motility by regulating Rho GTPase in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:6353-6363. [PMID: 28031525 PMCID: PMC5351637 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To establish treatments to improve the prognosis of cancer patients, it is necessary to find new targets to control metastasis. We found that expression of FilaminC (FLNC), a member of the actin binding and cross-linking filamin protein family is correlated with lymphatic invasion and lymphatic metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by increasing cell motility through activation of Rho GTPase. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that FLNC expression in ESCC is associated with lymphatic invasion, metastasis, and prognosis. FLNC knockdown in esophageal cancer cell lines decreased cell migration in wound healing and transwell migration assays, and invasion in transwell migration assays. Furthermore, FLNC knockdown reduced the amount of activated Rac-1 (GTP-Rac1) and activated Cdc42 (GTP-Cdc42). Our results suggest that FLNC expression is a useful biomarker of ESCC metastatic tendency and that inhibiting FLNC function may be useful to control the metastasis of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Tanabe
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.,Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yoshinari Shinsato
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Furukawa
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.,Center for the Research of Advanced Diagnosis and Therapy of Cancer, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kita
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Hatanaka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kentaro Minami
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kohichi Kawahara
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masatatsu Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kenji Baba
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Mori
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yasuto Uchikado
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kosei Maemura
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Akihide Tanimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shoji Natsugoe
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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10
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Combined targeting of TGF-β, EGFR and HER2 suppresses lymphangiogenesis and metastasis in a pancreatic cancer model. Cancer Lett 2016; 379:143-53. [PMID: 27267807 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are aggressive with frequent lymphatic spread. By analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we determined that ~35% of PDACs have a pro-angiogenic gene signature. We now show that the same PDACs exhibit increased expression of lymphangiogenic genes and lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers, and that LEC abundance in human PDACs correlates with endothelial cell microvessel density. Lymphangiogenic genes and LECs are also elevated in murine PDACs arising in the KRC (mutated Kras; deleted RB) and KIC (mutated Kras; deleted INK4a) genetic models. Moreover, pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) derived from KRC tumors express and secrete high levels of lymphangiogenic factors, including the EGF receptor ligand, amphiregulin. Importantly, TGF-β1 increases lymphangiogenic genes and amphiregulin expression in KRC PCCs but not in murine PCCs that lack SMAD4, and combinatorial targeting of the TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI) with LY2157299 and EGFR/HER2 with lapatinib suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in a syngeneic orthotopic model, and attenuates tumor lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis while reducing lymphangiogenic genes and amphiregulin and enhancing apoptosis. Therefore, this combination could be beneficial in PDACs with lymphangiogenic or angiogenic gene signatures.
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Liu X, Guo X, Li H, Chen J, Qi X. Src/STAT3 signaling pathways are involved in KAI1-induced downregulation of VEGF-C expression in pancreatic cancer. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:4774-8. [PMID: 27082851 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A previous study by our group demonstrated that overexpression of KAI1 was associated with lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer. The present study further investigated the signaling pathways involved in KAI1‑induced downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‑C) and lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine KAI1 and VEGF‑C expression in 28 surgically resected pancreatic cancer tissues. MIA PaCa‑2 and PCAN1 pancreatic cancer cell lines were transfected with KAI1 overexpression vector. VEGF‑C expression as well as phosphorylation of Src and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 were assessed by western blot analysis. Furthermore, the signal transduction inhibitors PP2 and AG490 were used to block the Src and STAT3 signaling pathways, respectively. KAI1 was negatively correlated with VEGF‑C expression in pancreatic tumor samples. In MIA PaCa‑2 cells, VEGF‑C expression was more significantly inhibited by restoration of KAI1 than that in PCAN1 cells. In addition, Src and STAT3 phosphorylation was decreased by KAI1 in MIA PaCa‑2 cells. Of note, pre‑treatment with PP2 efficiently reversed the KAI1-induced enhancement of Src and STAT3 phosphorylation as well as VEGF‑C expression. Pre‑treatment with AG490 efficiently reversed the KAI1-induced enhancement of STAT3 phosphorylation and VEGF‑C expression, but had no effect on the upregulation of Src phosphorylation. The present study identified the involvement of Src/STAT3 signaling pathways in KAI1‑induced downregulation of VEGF‑C expression and suggested the implication of these pathways in lymphatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaozhong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Xingshun Qi
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
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Fagiani E, Lorentz P, Bill R, Pavotbawan K, Kopfstein L, Christofori G. VEGF receptor-2-specific signaling mediated by VEGF-E induces hemangioma-like lesions in normal and in malignant tissue. Angiogenesis 2016; 19:339-58. [PMID: 27038485 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-016-9508-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Viral VEGF-E (ovVEGF-E), a homolog of VEGF-A, was discovered in the genome of Orf virus. Together with VEGF-A, B, C, D, placental growth factor (PlGF) and snake venom VEGF (svVEGF), ovVEGF-E is a member of the VEGF family of potent angiogenesis factors with a bioactivity similar to VEGF-A it induces proliferation, migration and sprouting of cultured vascular endothelial cells and proliferative lesions in the skin of sheep, goat and man that are characterized by massive capillary proliferation and dilation. These biological functions are mediated exclusively via its interaction with VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Here, we have generated transgenic mice specifically expressing ovVEGF-E in β-cells of the endocrine pancreas (Rip1VEGF-E; RVE). RVE mice show an increase in number and size of the islets of Langerhans and a distorted organization of insulin and glucagon-expressing cells. Islet endothelial cells of RVE mice hyper-proliferate and form increased numbers of functional blood vessels. In addition, the formation of disorganized lymphatic vessels and increased immune cell infiltration is observed. Upon crossing RVE single-transgenic mice with Rip1Tag2 (RT2) transgenic mice, a well-studied model of pancreatic β-cell carcinogenesis, double-transgenic mice (RT2;RVE) display hyper-proliferation of endothelial cells resulting in the formation of hemangioma-like lesions. In addition, RT2;RVE mice exhibit activated lymphangiogenesis at the tumor periphery and increased neutrophil and macrophage tumor infiltration and micro-metastasis to lymph nodes and lungs. These phenotypes markedly differ from the phenotypes observed with the transgenic expression of the other VEGF family members in β-cells of normal mice and of RT2 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesta Fagiani
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Pascal Lorentz
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ruben Bill
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kirusigan Pavotbawan
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lucie Kopfstein
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Christofori
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
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Lv B, Zhang B, Hu XY, Zeng QD. Heparanase regulates in vitro VEGF-C expression and its clinical significance to pancreatic ductal cell adenocarcinoma. Oncol Lett 2016; 11:1327-1334. [PMID: 26893739 PMCID: PMC4734281 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Heparanase (HPSE) and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) are important cytokines that promote metastasis and angiogenesis in numerous malignant neoplasms, however, their association remains unclear in pancreatic ductal cell adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The present study aimed to investigate whether HPSE has a positive correlation with VEGF-C expression and to uncover the role it plays in the in vitro invasion of BxPC-3 cells (a pancreatic carcinoma cell line), and to analyze the value of joint detection of HPSE and VEGF-C for PDAC patients. A recombinant plasmid, GV230/HPSE was constructed and BxPC-3 cells were transiently transfected with GV230/HPSE or siRNA against HPSE. The expression levels of HPSE and VEGF-C were compared using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunoblotting. The metastatic potential of treated BxPC-3 cells was evaluated using a Transwell® invasion assay. The relative mRNA levels of HPSE and VEGF-C in 34 PDAC specimens were assessed by RT-qPCR. The results of the RT-qPCR demonstrated a 10.7- and 3.24-fold elevation (P<0.01) of HPSE mRNA and VEGF-C mRNA, respectively, in GV230/HPSE group, whereas the HPSE siRNA group were downregulated for these mRNAs (−2.45-fold, P<0.01; −1.84-fold, P<0.01). The same pattern for protein expression was detected using immunoblot assays. In Transwell® invasion assays 138±5 cells in GV230/HPSE group and 53±4 cells in siRNA group migrated through the Matrigel®. A negative correlation between the mRNA levels of HPSE and VEGF-C in PDAC specimens and the prognosis factors of the postoperative patients was identified. Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between HPSE and VEGF-C in PDAC (r=0.812, P<0.01). HPSE regulates the expression of VEGF-C and facilitates invasion of BxPC-3 in vitro. Joint detection of HPSE and VEGF-C may therefore be clinically useful in determining the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Yan Hu
- Department of Cell Biology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Dong Zeng
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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Fink DM, Steele MM, Hollingsworth MA. The lymphatic system and pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2015; 381:217-36. [PMID: 26742462 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.11.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes current knowledge of the biology, pathology and clinical understanding of lymphatic invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. We discuss the clinical and biological consequences of lymphatic invasion and metastasis, including paraneoplastic effects on immune responses and consider the possible benefit of therapies to treat tumors that are localized to lymphatics. A review of current techniques and methods to study interactions between tumors and lymphatics is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darci M Fink
- Eppley Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5950, USA
| | - Maria M Steele
- Eppley Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5950, USA
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15
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Špirić Z, Eri Ž, Erić M. Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D in the Progression of Cutaneous Melanoma. Int J Surg Pathol 2015; 23:629-37. [PMID: 25911567 DOI: 10.1177/1066896915583694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Induction of tumor lymphangiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D promotes metastasis in many human cancers. AIM The aim of this study was to examine the role of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in patients with cutaneous melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-four melanoma specimens (18 with lymph node metastasis, 36 nonmetastatic) were investigated by immunostaining for VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and for lymphatic endothelial marker D2-40. VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression was assessed as a percentage and intensity of stained tumor cells, tumor-associated macrophages and fibroblasts. The quantification of lymphangiogenesis was conducted by computer-assisted morphometric analysis. RESULTS The expressions of both VEGF-C and VEGF-D in tumor cells were significantly higher in lymph node metastatic melanomas compared with nonmetastatic melanomas (P = .015 VEGF-C; P = .005 VEGF-D). There was no statistically significant difference between metastatic and nonmetastatic melanomas regarding the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in macrophages and fibroblasts. Metastatic melanomas showed a significantly higher intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) compared with nonmetastatic melanomas (P = .000 intratumoral, P = .000 peritumoral). Melanomas with VEGF-C positive tumor cells showed a significantly higher intratumoral and peritumoral LVD compared with VEGF-C negative tumor cells group of melanomas (P = .006 intratumoral, P = .010 peritumoral). VEGF-C expression in macrophages, fibroblasts, as well as VEGF-D expression in tumor cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts, showed no correlation with the intratumoral and peritumoral LVD. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show the significance of VEGF-C in tumor cells in the induction of intratumoral and peritumoral lymphangiogenesis. This study suggests that both VEGF-C and VEGF-D in tumor cells promote lymph node metastasis, and that the immunohistochemical analysis of expression can be a useful tool for predicting clinical behavior of cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorica Špirić
- Clinical Center of Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Živka Eri
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mirela Erić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
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16
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Du LC, Chen XC, Wang D, Wen YJ, Wang CT, Wang XM, Kan B, Wei YQ, Zhao X. VEGF-D-induced draining lymphatic enlargement and tumor lymphangiogenesis promote lymph node metastasis in a xenograft model of ovarian carcinoma. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:14. [PMID: 24502459 PMCID: PMC3929486 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D has been shown to promote lymph node metastasis in several cancers. Although generally overexpressed in ovarian carcinoma, its role in nodal dissemination of this cancer is unclear. To clarify the role of VEGF-D and the underlying molecular mechanisms, we investigated the function of VEGF-D using a mouse xenograft model of ovarian cancer. METHODS Human ovarian serous adenocarcinoma SKOV3 cells were transfected with VEGF-D recombinant plasmid DNA, or with control vectors. The cells were injected subcutaneously into the footpads of nude mice. Tumor growth was evaluated weekly. Draining lymphatics were observed grossly with Evan's blue lymphangiography. Tumoral lymphatics were delineated with both Evan's blue and LYVE-1 immunostaining. Tumor metastases to lymph nodes were evaluated by H&E and CA125/CD40 staining. Expression of VEGF-D in primary tumors and levels of CA125 in involved lymph nodes were examined by immunohistochemistry. Tumor cell apoptosis was analyzed by Hoechst dyeing. RESULTS Mice bearing VEGF-D overexpressing xenografts showed a significantly higher rate of lymph node metastasis and markedly greater tumor volume compared with the controls. The functional lymphatic vessels were denser and enlarged in marginal and central tumor portions. Additionally, higher CA125 expression was observed in the involved lymph nodes. Mice bearing VEGF-D overexpressing xenografts also exhibited a markedly lower apoptotic index compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate the important role of VEGF-D in promoting lymph node metastasis by increasing tumor lymphangiogenesis, stimulating draining lymphatic vessel formation, and enhancing tumor invasiveness. Our findings show that VEGF-D can be a promising therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Cheng Du
- Department of Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jingwu Road, Jinan, China
| | - Xian-Cheng Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Second West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jingwu Road, Jinan, China
| | - Yan-Jun Wen
- National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Chun-Ting Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Second West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Bing Kan
- National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu-Quan Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Second West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, China
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17
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Xiao Z, Luo G, Liu C, Wu C, Liu L, Liu Z, Ni Q, Long J, Yu X. Molecular mechanism underlying lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:925845. [PMID: 24587996 PMCID: PMC3919106 DOI: 10.1155/2014/925845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As the most challenging human malignancies, pancreatic cancer is characterized by its insidious symptoms, low rate of surgical resection, high risk of local invasion, metastasis and recurrence, and overall dismal prognosis. Lymphatic metastasis, above all, is recognized as an early adverse event in progression of pancreatic cancer and has been described to be an independent poor prognostic factor. It should be noted that the occurrence of lymphatic metastasis is not a casual or stochastic but an ineluctable and designed event. Increasing evidences suggest that metastasis-initiating cells (MICs) and the microenvironments may act as a double-reed style in this crime. However, the exact mechanisms on how they function synergistically for this dismal clinical course remain largely elusive. Therefore, a better understanding of its molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in pancreatic lymphatic metastasis is urgently required. In this review, we will summarize the latest advances on lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Xiao
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guopei Luo
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chuntao Wu
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zuqiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Quanxing Ni
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiang Long
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
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Nixon AB, Pang H, Starr MD, Friedman PN, Bertagnolli MM, Kindler HL, Goldberg RM, Venook AP, Hurwitz HI. Prognostic and predictive blood-based biomarkers in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: results from CALGB80303 (Alliance). Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:6957-66. [PMID: 24097873 PMCID: PMC4219241 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-0926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE CALGB80303 was a phase III trial of 602 patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer comparing gemcitabine/bevacizumab versus gemcitabine/placebo. The study found no benefit in any outcome from the addition of bevacizumab to gemcitabine. Blood samples were collected and multiple angiogenic factors were evaluated and then correlated with clinical outcome in general (prognostic markers) and with benefit specifically from bevacizumab treatment (predictive markers). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Plasma samples were analyzed via a novel multiplex ELISA platform for 31 factors related to tumor growth, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Baseline values for these factors were correlated with overall survival (OS) using univariate Cox proportional hazard regression models and multivariable Cox regression models with leave-one-out cross validation. Predictive markers were identified using a treatment by marker interaction term in the Cox model. RESULTS Baseline plasma was available from 328 patients. Univariate prognostic markers for OS were identified including: Ang2, CRP, ICAM-1, IGFBP-1, TSP-2 (all P < 0.001). These prognostic factors were found to be highly significant, even after adjustment for known clinical factors. Additional modeling approaches yielded prognostic signatures from multivariable Cox regression. The gemcitabine/bevacizumab signature consisted of IGFBP-1, interleukin-6, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, TSP-2; whereas the gemcitabine/placebo signature consisted of CRP, IGFBP-1, PAI-1, PDGF-AA, P-selectin (both P < 0.0001). Finally, three potential predictive markers of bevacizumab efficacy were identified: VEGF-D (P < 0.01), SDF1 (P < 0.05), and Ang2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study identified strong prognostic markers for pancreatic cancer patients. Predictive marker analysis indicated that plasma levels of VEGF-D, Ang2, and SDF1 significantly predicted for benefit or lack of benefit from bevacizumab in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Nixon
- Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Herbert Pang
- Alliance Statistics and Data Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Mark D. Starr
- Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Paula N. Friedman
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Monica M. Bertagnolli
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hedy L. Kindler
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Alan P. Venook
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Herbert I. Hurwitz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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He W, Tang Y, Qi B, Lu C, Qin C, Wei Y, Yi J, Chen M. Phylogenetic analysis and positive-selection site detecting of vascular endothelial growth factor family in vertebrates. Gene 2013; 535:345-52. [PMID: 24200960 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), known to play an important role in vascular homeostasis, vascular integrity and angiogenesis, is little known about the evolutionary relationship of its five members especially the role of gene duplication and natural selection in the evolution of the VEGF family. In this study, seventy-five full-length cDNA sequences from 33 vertebrate species were extracted from the NCBI's GenBank, UniProt protein database and the Ensembl database. By phylogenetic analyses, we investigated the origin, conservation, and evolution of the VEGFs. Five VEGF family members in vertebrates might be formed by gene duplication. The inferred evolutionary transitions that separate members which belong to different gene clusters correlated with changes in functional properties. Selection analysis and protein structure analysis were combined to explain the relationship of the site-specific evolution in the vertebrate VEGF family. Eleven positive selection sites, one transmembrane region and the active sites were detected in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwu He
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical College of North Sichuan Medical college, Nanchong, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yanyan Tang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Bin Qi
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Chuansen Lu
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Chao Qin
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yunfei Wei
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiachao Yi
- Department of Neurology, Liugang Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Mingwu Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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20
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He L, He J, Zhao X. Expression of VEGF-D in epithelial ovarian cancer and its relationship to lymphatic metastasis. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2013; 12:e161-6. [PMID: 23915006 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.12086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D to tumor progression, tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS The expression profiles of VEGF-D in 18 benign, 14 borderline and 87 malignant epithelial ovarian cancers were examined using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Lymphatic vessels were identified using IHC staining on lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), which is a lymph-specific receptor for hyaluronan in identifying lymphatic vessels. The potential correlation among VEGF-D, lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and clinico-pathological factors of the epithelial ovarian cancer was also analyzed. RESULTS Positive IHC staining of VEGF-D was observed in 17% of benign, 21% of borderline and 80% of malignant epithelial ovarian tumors specimens. In the epithelial ovarian cancer specimens, the LVD was 3.41 ± 2.37 in the VEGF-D negative (17 patients), 5.42 ± 3.49 in the weak (26 patients), 7.22 ± 2.36 in the moderate (27 patients) and 7.35 ± 4.06 in the strong (17 patients) groups, respectively. Additionally, the expression of VEGF-D was positively correlated with LVD (r = 0.415, P < 0.001). The expression level of VEGF-D was significantly higher in lymph node-positive epithelial ovarian cancer than in lymph node-negative patients (P = 0.009, P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF-D was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and tumor histological differentiation, but not with the patients' age or histology type. CONCLUSION VEGF-D may play an important role in the process of lymphatic metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junyong He
- Physical Examination Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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STAT5b as molecular target in pancreatic cancer--inhibition of tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastases. Neoplasia 2013; 14:915-25. [PMID: 23097626 DOI: 10.1593/neo.12878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer is still poor and novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Recently, the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b) was associated with tumor progression in human solid cancer. Hence, we assessed whether STAT5b might serve as an anticancer target in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma (DPAC). We found that nuclear expression of STAT5b can be detected in approximately 50% of DPAC. Blockade of STAT5b by stable shRNA-mediated knockdown showed no effects on tumor cell growth in vitro. However, inhibition of tumor cell motility was found even in response to stimulation with epidermal growth factor or interleukin-6. These findings were paralleled by a reduction of prometastatic and proangiogenic factors in vitro. Subsequent in vivo experiments revealed a strong growth inhibition on STAT5b blockade in subcutaneous and orthotopic models. These findings were paralleled by impaired tumor angiogenesis in vivo. In contrast to the subcutaneous model, the orthotopic model revealed a strong reduction of tumor cell proliferation that emphasizes the meaning of assessing targets in an appropriate microenvironment. Taken together, our results suggest that STAT5b might be a potential novel target for human DPAC.
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Guo J, Lou W, Ji Y, Zhang S. Effect of CCR7, CXCR4 and VEGF-C on the lymph node metastasis of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Oncol Lett 2013; 5:1572-1578. [PMID: 23761820 PMCID: PMC3678632 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2013.1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the expression of chemokine receptors CCR7 and CXCR4 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and the lymph node metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The mRNA transcription levels of CCR7, CXCR4 and VEGF-C were measured in 24 specimens by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, while the protein expression levels were measured in 65 specimens by immuohistochemistry. Professional software for pathological image manipulation (Image Pro Plus 6.0) was used to quantitate the results of the immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CCR7, CXCR4 and VEGF-C were all significantly higher in the cancer samples compared with those in the adjacent normal tissue. The CCR7 and VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in the patients with cancer types exhibiting lymph node metastasis and an advanced International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stage (P<0.05). The greater the number of metastatic lymph nodes, the higher the levels of CCR7 expression (P<0.05). There was a significant positive linear correlation between the mRNA and protein expression levels of CCR7 and VEGF-C (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of CXCR4 were not correlated with the lymph node metastasis (P>0.05), however the strong positive expression of CCR7 and VEGF-C was significantly associated with the lymph node metastasis of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Kurahara H, Takao S, Maemura K, Mataki Y, Kuwahata T, Maeda K, Sakoda M, Iino S, Ishigami S, Ueno S, Shinchi H, Natsugoe S. M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophage infiltration of regional lymph nodes is associated with nodal lymphangiogenesis and occult nodal involvement in pN0 pancreatic cancer. Pancreas 2013; 42:155-9. [PMID: 22699204 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0b013e318254f2d1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are reportedly involved in lymphangiogenesis in primary tumors, playing a crucial role in lymphatic metastasis. Furthermore, nodal lymphangiogenesis precedes and promotes regional lymph node (RLN) metastasis. We investigated the relationship of M2-polarized TAM infiltration of the RLNs, nodal lymphangiogenesis, and occult nodal involvement in pN0 pancreatic cancer. METHODS Hematoxylin-eosin-stained primary tumor and regional LN specimens from 40 patients diagnosed with pN0 pancreatic cancer according to the pathological TNM classification were assessed. To evaluate lymphangiogenesis, lymphatic vessel density was measured by using D2-40 antibody. CD163 and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 antibodies were used to detect M2-polarized TAMs and isolated tumor cells in the RLNs, respectively. RESULTS The nodal lymphatic vessel density had a strong association with the M2-polarized TAM density in the RLNs (P < 0.0001). Most of these TAMs expressed vascular endothelial growth factor C. Furthermore, in the RLNs, the M2-polarized TAM density was significantly associated with the incidence of isolated tumor cells (P = 0.0477). CONCLUSIONS M2-polarized TAM infiltration of RLNs is significantly associated with nodal lymphangiogenesis and occult nodal involvement in pN0 pancreatic cancer. Node-infiltrating M2-polarized TAMs may facilitate nodal lymphangiogenesis via the production of vascular endothelial growth factor C and thus promote RLN metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kurahara
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kagoshima University, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, Japan.
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Zhao YC, Ni XJ, Li Y, Dai M, Yuan ZX, Zhu YY, Luo CY. Peritumoral lymphangiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor C and D promotes lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients. World J Surg Oncol 2012; 10:165. [PMID: 22906075 PMCID: PMC3499230 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7819-10-165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting clinical and experimental data suggest that the migration of tumor cells into lymph nodes is greatly facilitated by lymphangiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and D have been identified as lymphangiogenic growth factors and play an important role in tumor lymphangiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the location of lymphangiogenesis driven by tumor-derived VEGF-C/D in breast cancer, and to determine the role of intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer. METHODS The expression levels of VEGF-C/D were determined by immunohistochemistry, and intratumoral LVD and peritumoral LVD were assessed using immunohistochemistry and the D2-40 antibody in 73 patients with primary breast cancer. The associations of intratumoral LVD and peritumoral LVD with VEGF-C/D expression, clinicopathological features and prognosis were assessed. RESULTS VEGF-C and D expression were significantly higher in breast cancer than benign disease (P < 0.01). VEGF-C (P < 0.001) and VEGF-D (P = 0.005) expression were significantly associated with peritumoral LVD, but not intratumoral LVD. Intratumoral LVD was associated with tumor size (P = 0.01). Peritumoral LVD was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM; P = 0.005), lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI; P = 0.017) and late tumor,node, metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.011). Moreover, peritumoral LVD was an independent risk factor for axillary lymph node metastasis, overall survival and disease-free survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that tumor-derived VEGF-C/D induce peritumoral lymphangiogenesis, which may be one mechanism that leads to lymphatic invasion and metastatic spread. Peritumoral LVD has potential as an independent prognostic factor in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chun Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Wuhu Affiliated with Wannan Medical College, 231 Jiuhuashan Road, Wuhu 241000, China
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Kurahara H, Takao S, Kuwahata T, Nagai T, Ding Q, Maeda K, Shinchi H, Mataki Y, Maemura K, Matsuyama T, Natsugoe S. Clinical significance of folate receptor β-expressing tumor-associated macrophages in pancreatic cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2012; 19:2264-71. [PMID: 22350599 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-012-2263-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the appearance and distribution of folate receptor β-expressing (FRβ+) macrophages in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment and their relationship to metastasis and prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS Tumor samples were obtained from 76 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent curative resection. None of these patients had received any preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Both FRβ+ and tumor-infiltrating (CD68+) macrophages were examined in each tumor specimen by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining using a newly developed anti-human FRβ monoclonal antibody and CD68 antibody. The appearance, distribution, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on FRβ-expressing or CD68+ macrophages, and tumor microvessel density (MVD) were assessed. Log rank test and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to investigate the associations among CD68+ or FRβ+ macrophages, clinicopathologic factors, and overall survival. RESULTS FRβ+ macrophages were prominent in the perivascular regions of the tumor-invasive front and a specific subset with VEGF expression in the CD68+ macrophages. A high number of FRβ+ macrophages showed a positive association with high MVD, a high incidence of hematogenous metastasis, and a poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS FRβ+ macrophages are a novel subset of tumor-associated macrophages in pancreatic cancer and may play an important role in the tumor microenvironment in association with systemic metastasis through the interaction with tumor cells and vessels. FRβ+ macrophages may be promising a targeting therapy for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kurahara
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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26
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Acs G, Paragh G, Rakosy Z, Laronga C, Zhang PJ. The extent of retraction clefts correlates with lymphatic vessel density and VEGF-C expression and predicts nodal metastasis and poor prognosis in early-stage breast carcinoma. Mod Pathol 2012; 25:163-77. [PMID: 22020194 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2011.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although the earliest feature of disseminated disease in breast cancer is regional lymph node involvement, little is known about the mechanisms whereby cancer cells interact with lymphatic endothelial cells and enter the lymphatic system. We have previously reported that the extensive presence of retraction clefts in breast carcinomas highly significantly correlates with lymphatic tumor spread and predicts poor outcome, suggesting that retraction clefts are not just fixation artifacts, but real potential spaces that are exaggerated by tissue processing and may reflect an early stage of lymphatic invasion. In this study, we examined the correlation between the extent of retraction clefts and lymphangiogenesis, as assessed by lymphatic vessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in a series of 256 early-stage breast carcinomas. The presence and extent of retraction clefts around tumor cell nests was determined by review of all hematoxylin- and eosin-stained tumor sections. Lymphatic vessels were detected by podoplanin immunohistochemistry and lymphatic vessel density was measured using the hot-spot method. The expression of VEGF-C in the tumor cells was determined by immunohistochemistry and analyzed semiquantitatively on a four-tiered scale. High levels of retraction clefts, peritumor lymphatic vessel density and VEGF-C expression at the invasive edge in breast carcinomas significantly correlated with tumor size, histological grade, lymphatic invasion and nodal metastasis. Breast carcinomas showing extensive retraction clefts (>20% of tumor volume) were found to have significantly higher lymphatic vessel density and VEGF-C expression levels compared to tumors without this feature. High retraction clefts, peritumor lymphatic vessel density and VEGF-C expression predicted poor outcome in breast carcinomas. Our results support the hypothesis that retraction clefts are real potential spaces that may represent 'pre-lymphatic spaces' facilitating initial lymphatic invasion and that growth factors secreted by the tumor cells may stimulate tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis by promoting the endothelialization of these 'pre-lymphatic channels'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geza Acs
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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27
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Nersita R, Matrone A, Klain M, Scavuzzo F, Vitolo G, Abbondanza C, Carlino MV, Giacco V, Amato G, Carella C. Decreased serum vascular endothelial growth factor-D levels in metastatic patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2012; 76:142-6. [PMID: 21781145 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04183.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) has been identified as one of the lymphangiogenic growth factors involved in metastatic diffusion. The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum VEGF-D levels in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at different conditions of disease. DESIGN AND PATIENTS We studied prospectively the VEGF-D plasma levels in 96 subjects affected by differentiated thyroid cancer. The patients were divided into three groups according to the clinical and biochemical findings: patients with no evidence of disease (Cured), patients with pathological (>1 ng/ml) stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) (Path-Tg/rhTSH) levels only after rhTSH and patients with elevated basal Tg levels (Path-Tg/LT4). RESULTS The serum VEGF-D concentrations in patients of group Cured were not different from the controls, while group Path-Tg/rhTSH showed baseline serum VEGF-D levels significantly lower than group Cured and controls (P < 0·001 and P < 0·01, respectively). Moreover, the patients of group Path-Tg/LT4 showed median serum cytokine concentrations at baseline not significantly different from the patients of group Path-Tg/rhTSH. The rhTSH stimulation did not modify the difference in serum VEGF-D levels in patients of group Cured and group Path-Tg/rhTSH. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that the VEGF-D serum levels are reduced in patients with metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer, regardless of the degree of metastatic spread. It is possible that some other molecule produced by the tumoral tissue could affect the VEGF-D physiologically produced of from different tissues, thus conducting to a decrease in the VEGF-D found in blood of patients with evidence of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Nersita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine F. Magrassi and A. Lanzara, Second University of Naples, Italy
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Wu EH, Yan M. Lymphangiogenesis in cancers: A therapy target. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2011; 19:2555-2561. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v19.i24.2555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a major cause of death among cancer patients. The lymphatic vasculature is an important route for the metastatic spread of cancer. Recent research has indicated that vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), VEGF-D and VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) are closely related to tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis, tumor metastasis and prognosis. Numerous studies demonstrate that the VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 signaling axis plays a leading role in the regulation of tumor lymphangiogenesis and is related to tumor metastasis and prognosis. It has been confirmed that inhibition of the VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 signaling axis can exert anti-lymphangiogenic effect and thereby prevent tumor metastasis in animal models. In this paper we review the molecular biology of lymphangiogenesis, its relationship with cancer metastasis, and the clinical implications of inhibition of lymphangiogenesis.
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Dogan M, Demirkazik A. Venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer and its relationship to the coagulation cascade and vascular endothelial growth factor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 3:28-34. [PMID: 18632433 DOI: 10.3816/sct.2005.n.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-recognized problem in malignancy. Patients with cancer who have VTE have a worse prognosis than other patients with cancer. Hypercoagulability in patients with cancer is related to malignancy itself and its treatment. These patients have multiple risk factors for thromboembolism, such as being immobilized, having central venous catheters, and receiving chemoradiation therapy. Cancer procoagulant, tissue factor, factor VIII, and thrombin have important roles in causing cancer-associated thromboembolism. Tumors require neovascularization for delivering oxygen and other nutrients. Therefore, angiogenesis facilitates tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. New blood vessels formed by angiogenesis are thrombogenic. Hypercoagulability and tumor growth are closely related. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a proangiogenic factor that may also cause VTE in patients with cancer. The relationship between cancer, angiogenesis, VEGF, and thrombosis is reviewed herein. Studies are ongoing to enhance our understanding of this complex interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutlu Dogan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cebeci Hospital, Ankara University, Turkey
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Schulz P, Fischer C, Detjen KM, Rieke S, Hilfenhaus G, von Marschall Z, Böhmig M, Koch I, Kehrberger J, Hauff P, Thierauch KH, Alves F, Wiedenmann B, Scholz A. Angiopoietin-2 drives lymphatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer. FASEB J 2011; 25:3325-35. [PMID: 21685330 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-182287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic metastasis constitutes a critical route of disease dissemination, which limits the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). As lymphangiogenesis has been implicated in stimulation of lymphatic metastasis by vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and VEGF-D, we studied the effect of the angioregulatory growth factor angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) on PDAC progression. Ang-2 was found to be expressed in transformed cells of human PDAC specimens, with corresponding Tie-2 receptors present on blood and lymphatic endothelium. In vitro in PDAC cells, Ang-2 was subject to autocrine/paracrine TGF-β stimulation (2-fold induction, P=0.0106) acting on the -61- to +476-bp element of the human Ang-2 promoter. In turn, Ang-2 regulated the expression of genes involved in cell motility and tumor suppression. Orthotopic PDAC xenografts with forced expression of Ang-2, but not Ang-1, displayed increased blood and lymphatic vessel density, and an enhanced rate of lymphatic metastasis (6.7- to 9.1-fold, P<0.01), which was prevented by sequestration of Ang-2 via coexpression of soluble Tie-2. Notably, elevated circulating Ang-2 in patients with PDAC correlated with the extent of lymphatic metastasis. Furthermore, median survival was reduced from 28.4 to 7.7 mo in patients with circulating Ang-2 ≥ 75th percentile (P=0.0005). These findings indicate that Ang-2 participates in the control of lymphatic metastasis, constitutes a noninvasive prognostic biomarker, and may provide an accessible therapeutic target in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schulz
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Hepatologie und Gastroenterologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
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Smith RA, Tang J, Tudur-Smith C, Neoptolemos JP, Ghaneh P. Meta-analysis of immunohistochemical prognostic markers in resected pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 2011; 104:1440-51. [PMID: 21448172 PMCID: PMC3101928 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2011.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential prognostic value of several commonly investigated immunohistochemical markers in resected pancreatic cancer is variably reported. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of literature evaluating p53, p16, smad4, bcl-2, bax, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression as prognostic factors in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma and to conduct a subsequent meta-analysis to quantify the overall prognostic effect. METHODS Relevant literature was identified using Medline, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science. The primary end point was overall survival assessed on univariate analysis. Only studies analysing resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma were eligible for inclusion and the summary log(e) hazard ratio (logHR) and variance were pooled using an inverse variance approach. Evidence of heterogeneity was evaluated using the χ(2) test for heterogeneity and its impact on the meta-analysis was assessed by the I(2) statisic. Hazard ratios greater than one reflect adverse survival associated with positive immunostaining. RESULTS Vascular endothelial growth factor emerged as the most potentially informative prognostic marker (11 eligible studies, n=767, HR=1.51 (95% confidence interval, CI=1.18-1.92)) with no evidence of any significant publication bias (Egger's test, P=0.269). Bcl-2 (5 eligible studies, n=314, HR=0.51 (95% CI=0.38-0.68)), bax (5 studies, n=274, HR=0.63 (95% CI=0.48-0.83)) and p16 (3 studies, n=229, HR=0.63 (95% CI=0.43-0.92)) also returned significant overall survival differences, but in smaller patient series due to a lack of evaluable literature. Neither p53 (17 studies, n=925, HR=1.22 (95% CI=0.96-1.56)), smad4 (5 studies, n=540, HR=0.88 (95% CI=0.61-1.27)) nor EGFR (4 studies, n=250, HR=1.35 (95% CI=0.80-2.27)) was found to represent significant prognostic factors when analysing the pooled patient data. There was evidence of significant heterogeneity in four of the seven study groups. CONCLUSION These results support the case for immunohistochemical expression of VEGF representing a significant and reproducible marker of adverse prognosis in resected pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Smith
- Division of Surgery and Oncology, School of Cancer Studies, University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, 5th Floor Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK
| | - J Tang
- Division of Surgery and Oncology, School of Cancer Studies, University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, 5th Floor Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK
| | - C Tudur-Smith
- Division of Surgery and Oncology, School of Cancer Studies, University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, 5th Floor Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK
| | - J P Neoptolemos
- Division of Surgery and Oncology, School of Cancer Studies, University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, 5th Floor Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK
| | - P Ghaneh
- Division of Surgery and Oncology, School of Cancer Studies, University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, 5th Floor Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK
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Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and nuclear CXCR4 in hepatocellular carcinoma is correlated with lymph node metastasis and poor outcome. Cancer J 2011; 15:519-25. [PMID: 20010172 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0b013e3181c6aa6b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a chief cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of CXCR4 and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)-C and the clinicopathological features of HCC with LNM. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining for CXCR4 and VEGF-C was performed on tissue microarrays that were constructed using tumor specimens from patients with HCC with (N = 123) or without (N = 145) LNM. The relationship between the clinicopathological features of HCC and the expression of CXCR4 and VEGF-C was analyzed using the Pearson chi(2) test, logistical regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS Nuclear CXCR4 expression and VEGF-C expression were positively correlated with LNM and poor outcome in HCC. Moreover, nuclear CXCR4 expression was positively correlated with VEGF-C expression (correlation coefficient 0.256). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that both factors were predictive of HCC LNM {CXCR4: area under the curve, 0.695 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.630-0.759; VEGF-C: area under the curve, 0.629 (95% CI, 0.562-0.695]}. Patients with tumors exhibiting high nuclear CXCR4 expression or high VEGF-C expression had significantly poorer overall survival than those with low tumor expression of the corresponding factors. Multivariate analysis showed that UICC T stage [odds ratio (OR), 1.615, 95% CI, 1.306-1.997], nuclear CXCR4 expression (OR, 3.998; 95% CI, 2.706-5.907), and VEGF-C expression (OR, 1.903; 95% CI, 1.203-3.011) were independent risk factors for developing HCC LNM. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that nuclear CXCR4 expression and VEGF-C expression can be used to identify patients with HCC at high risk for developing LNM.
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Oklu R, Walker TG, Wicky S, Hesketh R. Angiogenesis and current antiangiogenic strategies for the treatment of cancer. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2010; 21:1791-805; quiz 1806. [PMID: 20980167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2010.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a complex process critical for embryonic development and for survival. It is also a critical player in many pathologic processes, most notably in neoplasia. The cell signaling pathways involved in angiogenesis have become key targets for drug design, with more than 2,500 clinical trials currently under way. This review summarizes the essential features of angiogenesis and discusses therapeutic strategies that have been applied to specific diseases known to be associated with perturbation of normal angiogenic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahmi Oklu
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114-2696, USA.
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Lymphatic vessel density as a prognostic marker in clinical stage I endocervical adenocarcinoma. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2010; 29:386-93. [PMID: 20567154 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0b013e3181c3cd47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
There are limited data evaluating the significance of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) as a prognostic marker in cervical adenocarcinoma. In this study, we investigated intratumoral and peritumoral LVD, using the lymphatic marker D2-40, as a prognostic marker in endocervical adenocarcinoma. Surgical specimens from 50 consecutive patients with endocervical adenocarcinoma treated with complete staging surgical procedures were reviewed. Selected tumor blocks were immunostained for D2-40 and CD31. Positively stained microvessels (MVs) were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at 400x field in each specimen (0.17 mm). Results were expressed as the highest MV count identified within any single field. Both intratumoral CD31 MV and peritumoral D2-40 LVD showed significant correlation with depth of invasion (r=0.39, 0.37, respectively), percentage of circumferential involvement (r=0.36, 0.48, respectively), and lymphovascular invasion detected by D2-40 (r=0.45, 0.51, respectively; P<0.01). Only peritumoral D2-40 LVD showed a significant correlation with lymph node metastases (r=0.40; P<0.01), disease-free and overall survivals. Using univariate analysis, peritumoral D2-40 LVD showed significant correlation with lymphovascular invasion detected by D20-40 and lymph node metastases (P<0.05), which was maintained on multivariate analysis. D2-40 detected lymphovascular invasion in 16 of 50 (32%) cases, and showed a significant correlation with depth of invasion, lymph node metastases, involvement of parametrium (r=0.41, 0.38, 0.32, respectively; P<0.01), and disease-free survival. Our study showed that both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play an important role in the progression of endocervical adenocarcinoma, and that peritumoral D2-40 LVD is an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis.
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Tanaka M, Kitadai Y, Kodama M, Shinagawa K, Sumida T, Tanaka S, Oue N, Yasui W, Chayama K. Potential role for vascular endothelial growth factor-D as an autocrine factor for human gastric carcinoma cells. Cancer Sci 2010; 101:2121-7. [PMID: 20626397 PMCID: PMC11159408 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2010.01649.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D induces lymphangiogenesis by activating VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, which is expressed mainly by lymphatic endothelial cells. VEGFR-3 has also been detected in several types of malignant cells, but the significance of VEGFR-3 expression by malignant cells remains unclear. We examined the expression and function of VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 in human gastric carcinoma cells. Expression of VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 was analyzed in three human gastric carcinoma cell lines and 29 surgical specimens. cDNA microarray analysis was used to examine the effect of VEGF-D on the expression of genes associated with disease progression in VEGFR-3-expressing KKLS cells. VEGF-D-transfected cells and control cells were transplanted into the gastric wall of nude mice. In 10 of the 29 (34%) gastric carcinoma specimens and two of the three cell lines, cancer cells expressed both VEGF-D and VEGFR-3. In vitro treatment of KKLS cells with exogenous VEGF-D increased expression of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 and stimulated cell proliferation. VEGF-D transfection into KKLS cells resulted in stimulation of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and cell proliferation, and in inhibition of apoptosis. VEGF-D may participate in the progression of human gastric carcinoma by acting via autocrine and paracrine mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwako Tanaka
- Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
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Kurahara H, Takao S, Shinchi H, Maemura K, Mataki Y, Sakoda M, Hayashi T, Kuwahata T, Minami K, Ueno S, Natsugoe S. Significance of lymphangiogenesis in primary tumor and draining lymph nodes during lymphatic metastasis of pancreatic head cancer. J Surg Oncol 2010; 102:809-15. [DOI: 10.1002/jso.21744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Liu X, Zhang M, Go VLW, Hu S. Membrane proteomic analysis of pancreatic cancer cells. J Biomed Sci 2010; 17:74. [PMID: 20831833 PMCID: PMC2949717 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-17-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2010] [Accepted: 09/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive human tumors due to its high potential of local invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to characterize the membrane proteomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells of primary and metastatic origins, and to identify potential target proteins related to metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Methods Membrane/membrane-associated proteins were isolated from AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells and identified with a proteomic approach based on SDS-PAGE, in-gel tryptic digestion and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). X! Tandem was used for database searching against the SwissProt human protein database. Results We identified 221 & 208 proteins from AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells, respectively, most of which are membrane or membrane-associated proteins. A hundred and nine proteins were found in both cell lines while the others were present in either AsPC-1 or BxPC-3 cells. Differentially expressed proteins between two cell lines include modulators of cell adhesion, cell motility or tumor invasion as well as metabolic enzymes involved in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, or nucleotide/lipid metabolism. Conclusion Membrane proteomes of AsPC-1 (metastatic) and BxPC-3 (primary) cells are remarkably different. The differentially expressed membrane proteins may serve as potential targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Liu
- UCLA School of Dentistry & Dental Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Vascular endothelial growth factor-C promotes the growth and invasion of gallbladder cancer via an autocrine mechanism. Mol Cell Biochem 2010; 345:77-89. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Feng Y, Wang W, Hu J, Ma J, Zhang Y, Zhang J. Expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D as significant markers for assessment of lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2010; 293:802-12. [PMID: 20225197 DOI: 10.1002/ar.21096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D induce lymphangiogenesis through activation of VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) and have been implicated in tumor spread to the lymphatic system. Lymph node dissemination critically determines clinical outcome and therapeutic options of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the relationship of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and lymph node metastasis in cancers, including NSCLC, is still controversial. To evaluate the relationship between lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis, the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in NSCLC tumors were detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). QRT-PCR revealed that in marginal region VEGF-C and VEGF-D mRNA was significantly higher than in tumor center, and VEGF-D mRNA was also higher than that in peritumoral lung tissue. Immunohistochemically, we observed the same heterogeneous expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D proteins. The group with high expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in marginal region had a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis compared with the group with low expression. Furthermore, the group with high expression of VEGF-D in marginal region had a higher incidence of lymphatic invasion. The group with high peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) had higher expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D mRNA compared with the group with low peritumoral LVD. Our studies suggested that the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D at invasive edge was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis or lymphatic invasion in patients with NSCLC and may be involved in regulation of lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukuan Feng
- Department of Anatomy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Garcia EA, Simões K, Wakamatsu A, Ressio RA, Alves VAF, Longatto-Filho A, Camargo RS. Lymphatic vessel density and VEGF-C expression are significantly different among benign and malignant thyroid lesions. Endocr Pathol 2010; 21:101-7. [PMID: 20336393 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-010-9116-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most frequent endocrine neoplasia worldwide. The route for metastasis and loco-regional invasion preferentially occurs by lymphatic vessels. For this reason, the assessment of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) is supposed to represent both a prognostic parameter and also a potential therapeutic target. In order to evaluate the value of LVD in benign and malignant thyroid lesions, we analyzed 110 thyroidectomy specimens using D2-40, a specific marker for lymphatic vessels and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), the most potent molecule of lymphatic proliferation. LVD was significantly different between papillary and follicular carcinomas in total (p = 0.045) and peritumoral area (p = 0.042). Follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma showed an important difference of intra- (p = 0.019) and peritumoral (p = 0.033) LVD. VEGF-C was more markedly expressed in malignancies than in benign lesions (p = 0.0001). Almost all cancers with high positive VEGF-C expression also exhibited increased peritumoral LVD (p = 0.049) when compared with the benign lesions. Indeed, the high peritumoral LVD of malignant thyroid lesions is an important finding for surgery planning and supports the practice of total thyroidectomy in malignant thyroid neoplasm's since the lymphatic peritumoral vessels definitely are an escape path for tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Anselmo Garcia
- Medical Research Laboratory LIM26, Experimental Pathophysiology Program, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Koch M, Dettori D, Van Nuffelen A, Souffreau J, Marconcini L, Wallays G, Moons L, Bruyère F, Oliviero S, Noel A, Foidart JM, Carmeliet P, Dewerchin M. VEGF-D deficiency in mice does not affect embryonic or postnatal lymphangiogenesis but reduces lymphatic metastasis. J Pathol 2010; 219:356-64. [PMID: 19718705 DOI: 10.1002/path.2605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) is one of the two ligands of the VEGFR-3 receptor on lymphatic endothelial cells. Gene-silencing studies in mice and Xenopus tadpoles recently showed that the role of endogenous VEGF-D in lymphatic development is moderate. By contrast, exogenous VEGF-D is capable of stimulating lymphangiogenesis. Nonetheless, its endogenous role in pathological conditions remains largely unknown. Hence, we reassessed its role in disease, using Vegf-d(null) mice. Vegf-d(null) mice were generated that, under physiological conditions, displayed normal embryonic and postnatal lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic remodelling, efficient lymphatic functioning and normal health. Vegf-d(null) mice also reponded normally in models of skin wound healing and healing of infarcted myocardium, despite enhanced expression of VEGF-D in these models in wild-type mice. In contrast, Vegf-d(null) mice displayed reduced peritumoral lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in an orthotopic pancreatic tumour model. Together, our data indicate that endogenous VEGF-D in mice is dispensible for lymphangiogenesis during development, in postnatal and adult physiology and in several pathological conditions, but significantly contributes to lymphatic metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Koch
- Vesalius Research Centre, VIB, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Lin M, Lin HZ, Ma SP, Ji P, Xie D, Yu JX. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A and -C: expression and correlations with lymphatic metastasis and prognosis in colorectal cancer. Med Oncol 2010; 28:151-8. [PMID: 20107934 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-010-9427-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Accepted: 01/11/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies obtained contradicting results regarding the correlation between expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-C and colorectal cancer patients' clinicopathological features and prognosis. Moreover, the association between the growth factors' expression and lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) with intratumoral and peritumoral difference has not been reported. In this study, 81 primary colorectal cancer samples were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF-A, VEGF-C and podoplanin. The expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-C in marginal portion was significantly higher than those in central portion (P = 0.000 for both). The expression of VEGF-A in marginal portion was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.031). The expression of VEGF-C in marginal portion was correlated with TNM stage (P = 0.045), peritumoral LVI (P = 0.048) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.019). The group with high VEGF-A expression in marginal portion showed worse survival than the low expression group (P = 0.039). Patients with high expression of VEGF-C in the marginal portion were not significantly different from those with low VEGF-C expression (P = 0.121). Patients with high expression of both VEGF-A and VEGF-C in the marginal portion showed the worst survival (P = 0.015). In conclusion, increased expression of VEGF-A and VEGF-C in marginal portion of colorectal cancer was correlated with lymph node metastasis. VEGF-C facilitates colorectal cancer cells invade into peritumoral lymphatic vessels, and different mechanisms may exist in the invasion of tumor cells into peritumoral and intratumoral lymphatic vessels. Assessment the expression of both VEGF-A and VEGF-C in the marginal portion of tumor may help to identify patients with colorectal cancer with unfavourable overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Lin
- Laboratory Medicine, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
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Deng J, Liang H, Sun D, Pan Y, Wang B, Guo Y. Vascular endothelial growth factor-D is correlated with hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy. Surgery 2009; 146:896-905. [PMID: 19744460 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2009.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2009] [Accepted: 04/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D), the activating ligand for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), has been identified as an important endogenic tumor-associated lymphangiogenic factors which can promote lymphatic metastasis from primary tumor. Lymphatic metastasis, which is the most common metastatic method of gastric cancer (GC), is still deemed a potentially relative indicator of distant metastasis from GC. We hypothesize that VEGF-D is associated with hepatic metastasis (HM) from GC after radical gastrectomy by promoting lymphatic metastasis and/or hematogenous metastasis. METHODS This study included 150 GC patients who underwent radical gastrectomy (75 cases presented with HM and 75 cases presented without any recurrences). VEGF-D, VEGF-C, VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, and microvessel density (MVD) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Besides, clinicopathologic variables and prognosis of GC patients were analyzed statistically. RESULTS Significant associations were seen between Lauren classification and HM, VEGF-D and HM, VEGFR-3 and HM, MVD and HM, and between nodal status and HM. VEGF-D remained an independent factor for HM from GC after radical gastrectomy. Further significant association was evaluated between high-grade VEGF-D expression and short disease-free survival of HM from GC after radical gastrectomy. CONCLUSION VEGF-D, which can induce lymphangiogenesis specifically in many kinds of malignant diseases, is an important factor for predicting HM from GC following radical gastrectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Deng
- Department of Gastric Cancer Surgery, City Key Laboratory of Tianjin Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Abstract
Metastasis is a characteristic trait of most tumour types and the cause for the majority of cancer deaths. Many tumour types, including melanoma and breast and prostate cancers, first metastasize via lymphatic vessels to their regional lymph nodes. Although the connection between lymph node metastases and shorter survival times of patients was made decades ago, the active involvement of the lymphatic system in cancer, metastasis has been unravelled only recently, after molecular markers of lymphatic vessels were identified. A growing body of evidence indicates that tumour-induced lymphangiogenesis is a predictive indicator of metastasis to lymph nodes and might also be a target for prevention of metastasis. This article reviews the current understanding of lymphangiogenesis in cancer anti-lymphangiogenic strategies for prevention and therapy of metastatic disease, quantification of lymphangiogenesis for the prognosis and diagnosis of metastasis and in vivo imaging technologies for the assessment of lymphatic vessels, drainage and lymph nodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Mumprecht
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Coşkun U, Akyürek N, Dursun A, Yamaç D. Peritumoral lymphatic microvessel density associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma. J Surg Res 2009; 164:110-5. [PMID: 19628230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2009.03.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2008] [Revised: 03/17/2009] [Accepted: 03/27/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis are critical processes for tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, and are crucial for therapeutic strategies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance of lymphangiogenesis and its regulation in gastric carcinomas. METHODS The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in 65 gastric carcinoma cases was investigated by immunohistochemistry using D2-40 antibody, and evaluated with prognostic parameters. The intratumoral microvessel density (MVD), using CD31 antibody, was assessed and correlated with LVD. RESULTS D2-40 identified peritumoral lymphatics in all cases, and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) ranged from 3 to 19 (median, 5; mean ± SD, 7.69 ± 4.67). The peritumoral LVD significantly correlated with large tumor size (P=0.0001), lymph node metastasis (P=0.004), visceral organ metastasis (P=0.0001), and TNM stage (P=0.001). Survival was also significantly lower in patients with high LVD tumors than in patients with low LVD tumors (P=0.04). Among various clinicopathologic characteristics, CD31 expression was associated only with lymph node metastasis (P=0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between CD31 and D2-40. CONCLUSION Our study showed that lymphangiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of gastric carcinoma. Therefore, D2-40, as an indicator for tumor lymphangiogenesis, may serve as a prognostic marker in gastric carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uğur Coşkun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
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Miyata Y, Sagara Y, Kanda S, Hayashi T, Kanetake H. Phosphorylated hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met is associated with tumor growth and prognosis in patients with bladder cancer: correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -7 and E-cadherin. Hum Pathol 2009; 40:496-504. [PMID: 19121849 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2008.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2008] [Revised: 08/25/2008] [Accepted: 09/12/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met is associated with malignant aggressiveness and survival in various cancers including bladder cancer. Although phosphorylation of hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met is essential for its function, the pathologic significance of phosphorylated hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met in bladder cancer remains elusive. We investigated the clinical significance of its expression, and its correlation with cancer cell progression-related molecules. The expression levels of 2 tyrosine residues of hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met (pY1234/1235 and pY1349) were examined immunohistochemically in 133 specimens with nonmetastatic bladder cancer. We also investigated their correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2, -7, and -14; urokinase-type plasminogen activator; E-cadherin; CD44 standard, variant 3, and variant 6; and vascular endothelial growth factor. Expression of phosphorylated hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met was detected in cancer cells, but was rare in normal urothelial cells. Although hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met, pY1234/1235 hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met, and pY1349 hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met were associated with pT stage, multivariate analysis identified pY1349 hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-met expression only as a significant factor for high pT stage. Expression of pY1349 hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met was a marker of metastasis and (P = .001) and cause-specific survival (P = .003). Expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-7, and E-cadherin correlated with pY1349 hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met expression. Our results demonstrated that pY1349 hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met plays an important role in tumor development, and its expression is a significant predictor of metastasis and survival of patients with bladder cancer. The results suggest that these activities are mediated, at least in part, by matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-7, and E-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyoshi Miyata
- Department of Urology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.
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Saad RS, Lindner JL, Liu Y, Silverman JF. Lymphatic vessel density as prognostic marker in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Am J Clin Pathol 2009; 131:92-8. [PMID: 19095571 DOI: 10.1309/ajcpkwuqsipvg90h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied tumor lymphatic vascular density (LVD) as a predictive marker for the risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis and its relationship to other prognostic parameters and survival in 75 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Samples were immunostained for D2-40, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Microvessels were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at x400 field (0.17 mm2). Intensity of staining for VEGF was scored on a 2-tiered scale. CD31 microvessel counts showed significant correlation with tumor stage and patient survival (P < .01). D2-40 LVD demonstrated a significant correlation with LN metastases, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor stage (r = 0.45, r = 0.47, and r = 0.37, respectively) and with shorter disease-free survival. D2-40 detected lymphovascular invasion in 29 of 75 cases, more than with CD31 (23/75) and H&E (18/75). VEGF was expressed in 48 (64%) of 75 cases and was significantly correlated with lymphovascular invasion, LN metastases, and overall survival. Our study showed that angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis have important roles in the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reda S. Saad
- Department of Pathology, Allegheny General Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jennifer L. Lindner
- Department of Pathology, Allegheny General Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Yulin Liu
- Department of Pathology, Allegheny General Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jan F. Silverman
- Department of Pathology, Allegheny General Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
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Liu B, Ma J, Wang X, Su F, Li X, Yang S, Ma W, Zhang Y. Lymphangiogenesis and Its Relationship With Lymphatic Metastasis and Prognosis in Malignant Melanoma. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2008; 291:1227-35. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.20736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Borja-Cacho D, Jensen EH, Saluja AK, Buchsbaum DJ, Vickers SM. Molecular targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer. Am J Surg 2008; 196:430-41. [PMID: 18718222 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2008] [Revised: 04/30/2008] [Accepted: 04/30/2008] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer cells express different mutations that increase the aggressiveness and confer resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Molecules that selectively bind and inhibit these mutations are effective in other solid tumors and are now emerging as a complementary therapy in pancreatic cancer. The objective of this review is to describe the effect of drugs that inhibit specific mutations present in pancreatic cancer with special emphasis on clinical trials. DATA SOURCES We reviewed the English-language literature (MedLine) addressing the role of drugs that target mutations present in pancreatic cancer. Both preclinical and clinical studies were included. CONCLUSIONS Preclinical evidence supports the combination of conventional approved therapies plus drugs that block epidermal growth factor receptor and vascular growth endothelial factor or induce apoptosis. However, most of the current clinical evidence is limited to small phase I trials evaluating the toxicity and safety of these regimens. The results of additional randomized trials that are still undergoing will clarify the role of these drugs in pancreatic cancer.
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