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Shi M, Dou H, Lou X, Jiang W, Wang H, Su Y. Identification of diagnostic biomarkers and immune cell infiltration in tongue squamous cell carcinoma using bioinformatic approaches. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:428. [PMID: 39169439 PMCID: PMC11337857 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01998-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study, we employed a bioinformatics approach to identify diagnostic biomarkers for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and investigate the infiltration of immune cells in TSCC, as well as the relationship between biomarkers and immune cells. METHODS We obtained the TSCC expression dataset from a database and conducted differential gene expression analysis between TSCC and adjacent normal tissues using R software. Enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed using the DAVID website. Protein interaction networks for the DEGs were constructed, and hub genes were identified using tools such as STRING and Cytoscape. Survival analysis was conducted to identify diagnostic biomarkers and the infiltration of immune cells in TSCC was analyzed using the inverse convolution algorithm with Cibersort software. Finally, the expression of the discovered molecules was verified through clinical pathological sections. RESULTS We identified 24 DEGs in TSCC, primarily associated with signal transduction, substance metabolism, innate immune response, and other related signaling pathways. Among the 24 hub genes screened through the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, seven (MMP13, POSTN, MMP9, MMP10, MMP3, SPP1, MMP1) exhibited prognostic value. Survival analysis indicated that SPP1 demonstrated diagnostic potential. The expression level of the SPP1 gene showed a correlation with TSCC as well as several immune cell types, including macrophage M0, M1, M2, CD8+ T cell, activated NK cell, and monocyte (p < 0.05). Histological results confirmed higher expression of SPP1 in TSCC tissues compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, particularly in CD68-expressing macrophages. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that SPP1 serves as a diagnostic biomarker for TSCC and is involved in immune cell infiltration within TSCC tissues. The correlation between SPP1 and macrophages may offer new insights for targeted therapeutic research on TSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Shi
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China
| | - Huixin Dou
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinzhe Lou
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Jiang
- Department of Periodontology, Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterial, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yingying Su
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang Q, Zhu F, Tong Y, Shi D, Zhang J. CHD4 R975H mutant activates tumorigenic pathways and promotes stemness and M2-like macrophage polarization in endometrial cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18617. [PMID: 39127769 PMCID: PMC11316823 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC), one of the most prevalent carcinomas in females, is associated with increasing mortality. We identified the CHD4 R975H mutation as a high-frequency occurrence in EC patients through a comprehensive survey of EC databases. Computational predictions suggest that this mutation profoundly impacts the structural and functional integrity of CHD4. Functional assays revealed that the CHD4 R975H mutation enhances EC cell invasion, proliferation, and colony formation, promoting a cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotype. RNA-seq analysis of cells expressing CHD4 R975H mutant revealed a transcriptomic landscape marked by the activation of several cancer-promoting signaling pathways, including TNF-α signaling via NF-κB, KRAS, P53, mTOR, TGF-β, EGFR, Myc and growth factor signaling. Validation assays confirmed the activation of these pathways, further demonstrating that CHD4 R975H mutation induces stemness in EC cells and M2-like polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Our study elucidated the oncogenic role of CHD4 R975H mutation, highlighting its dual impact on facilitating cancer stemness and transforming TAMs into an immunosuppressive subtype. These findings contribute valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms driving EC progression and open avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglin Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fengzhi Zhu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Yin Tong
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Diwen Shi
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiangwen Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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3
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Panda VK, Mishra B, Nath AN, Butti R, Yadav AS, Malhotra D, Khanra S, Mahapatra S, Mishra P, Swain B, Majhi S, Kumari K, Radharani NNV, Kundu GC. Osteopontin: A Key Multifaceted Regulator in Tumor Progression and Immunomodulation. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1527. [PMID: 39062100 PMCID: PMC11274826 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of various cellular components such as tumor cells, stromal cells including fibroblasts, adipocytes, mast cells, lymphatic vascular cells and infiltrating immune cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and lymphocytes. The intricate interplay between these cells influences tumor growth, metastasis and therapy failure. Significant advancements in breast cancer therapy have resulted in a substantial decrease in mortality. However, existing cancer treatments frequently result in toxicity and nonspecific side effects. Therefore, improving targeted drug delivery and increasing the efficacy of drugs is crucial for enhancing treatment outcome and reducing the burden of toxicity. In this review, we have provided an overview of how tumor and stroma-derived osteopontin (OPN) plays a key role in regulating the oncogenic potential of various cancers including breast. Next, we dissected the signaling network by which OPN regulates tumor progression through interaction with selective integrins and CD44 receptors. This review addresses the latest advancements in the roles of splice variants of OPN in cancer progression and OPN-mediated tumor-stromal interaction, EMT, CSC enhancement, immunomodulation, metastasis, chemoresistance and metabolic reprogramming, and further suggests that OPN might be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for the evolving landscape of cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venketesh K. Panda
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Barnalee Mishra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Angitha N. Nath
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Ramesh Butti
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, TX 75235, USA;
| | - Amit Singh Yadav
- Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; (A.S.Y.); (N.N.V.R.)
| | - Diksha Malhotra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Sinjan Khanra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Samikshya Mahapatra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Priyanka Mishra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Biswajit Swain
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Sambhunath Majhi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Kavita Kumari
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - N. N. V. Radharani
- Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; (A.S.Y.); (N.N.V.R.)
| | - Gopal C. Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
- Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
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Xu Y, Bai Z, Lan T, Fu C, Cheng P. CD44 and its implication in neoplastic diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e554. [PMID: 38783892 PMCID: PMC11112461 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CD44, a nonkinase single span transmembrane glycoprotein, is a major cell surface receptor for many other extracellular matrix components as well as classic markers of cancer stem cells and immune cells. Through alternative splicing of CD44 gene, CD44 is divided into two isoforms, the standard isoform of CD44 (CD44s) and the variant isoform of CD44 (CD44v). Different isoforms of CD44 participate in regulating various signaling pathways, modulating cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance, with its aberrant expression and dysregulation contributing to tumor initiation and progression. However, CD44s and CD44v play overlapping or contradictory roles in tumor initiation and progression, which is not fully understood. Herein, we discuss the present understanding of the functional and structural roles of CD44 in the pathogenic mechanism of multiple cancers. The regulation functions of CD44 in cancers-associated signaling pathways is summarized. Moreover, we provide an overview of the anticancer therapeutic strategies that targeting CD44 and preclinical and clinical trials evaluating the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and drug-related toxicity about CD44-targeted therapies. This review provides up-to-date information about the roles of CD44 in neoplastic diseases, which may open new perspectives in the field of cancer treatment through targeting CD44.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Xu
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ziyi Bai
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tianxia Lan
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chenying Fu
- Laboratory of Aging and Geriatric Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ping Cheng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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5
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Cai Z, Jiang Y, Tong H, Liang M, Huang Y, Fang L, Liang F, Hu Y, Shi X, Wang J, Wang Z, Ji Q, Huo H, Shen L, He B. Cellular and molecular characteristics of stromal Lkb1 deficiency-induced gastrointestinal polyposis based on single-cell RNA sequencing. J Pathol 2024; 263:47-60. [PMID: 38389501 DOI: 10.1002/path.6259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Liver kinase B1 (Lkb1), encoded by serine/threonine kinase (Stk11), is a serine/threonine kinase and tumor suppressor that is strongly implicated in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). Numerous studies have shown that mesenchymal-specific Lkb1 is sufficient for the development of PJS-like polyps in mice. However, the cellular origin and components of these Lkb1-associated polyps and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we generated tamoxifen-inducible Lkb1flox/flox;Myh11-Cre/ERT2 and Lkb1flox/flox;PDGFRα-Cre/ERT2 mice, performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and imaging-based lineage tracing, and aimed to investigate the cellular complexity of gastrointestinal polyps associated with PJS. We found that Lkb1flox/+;Myh11-Cre/ERT2 mice developed gastrointestinal polyps starting at 9 months after tamoxifen treatment. scRNA-seq revealed aberrant stem cell-like characteristics of epithelial cells from polyp tissues of Lkb1flox/+;Myh11-Cre/ERT2 mice. The Lkb1-associated polyps were further characterized by a branching smooth muscle core, abundant extracellular matrix deposition, and high immune cell infiltration. In addition, the Spp1-Cd44 or Spp1-Itga8/Itgb1 axes were identified as important interactions among epithelial, mesenchymal, and immune compartments in Lkb1-associated polyps. These characteristics of gastrointestinal polyps were also demonstrated in another mouse model, tamoxifen-inducible Lkb1flox/flox;PDGFRα-Cre/ERT2 mice, which developed obvious gastrointestinal polyps as early as 2-3 months after tamoxifen treatment. Our findings further confirm the critical role of mesenchymal Lkb1/Stk11 in gastrointestinal polyposis and provide novel insight into the cellular complexity of Lkb1-associated polyp biology. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohua Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yangjing Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Huan Tong
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Min Liang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yijie Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Feng Liang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yunwen Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xin Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Qingqi Ji
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Huo
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Linghong Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Ben He
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
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Boland PM, Ebos JML, Attwood K, Mastri M, Fountzilas C, Iyer RV, Banker C, Goey AKL, Bies R, Ma WW, Fakih M. A phase I/II study of nintedanib and capecitabine for refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2024; 8:pkae017. [PMID: 38697618 PMCID: PMC11065487 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with efficacy in bevacizumab-resistant colorectal cancer models. This phase I/II study evaluated the recommended phase II dose and efficacy of nintedanib and capecitabine in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS Key eligibility criteria included refractory metastatic colorectal cancer and ECOG performance status of 1 or lower. The primary endpoint was 18-week progression-free survival (PFS). A 1-sided binomial test (at α = .1) compared the observed 18-week PFS with a historic control of .25. RESULTS Forty-two patients were enrolled, including 39 at the recommended phase II dose. The recommended phase II dose was established to be nintedanib 200 mg by mouth twice daily and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 by mouth twice daily. The protocol was evaluated for efficacy in 36 patients. The 18-week PFS was 42% (15/36 patients; P = .0209). Median PFS was 3.4 mo. Median overall survival was 8.9 mo. Sixteen (44%) patients experienced a grade 3/4 adverse event, most commonly fatigue (8%), palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia (8%), aspartate aminotransferase elevation (6%), asthenia (6%), pulmonary embolus (6%), and dehydration (6%). Osteopontin levels at cycle 1, day 1 and cycle 3, day 1 as well as ΔCCL2 levels correlated to disease control at 18 weeks. CONCLUSIONS The combination of nintedanib and capecitabine is well tolerated. Clinical efficacy appears to be superior to regorafenib or tipiracil hydrochloride monotherapy. Further investigation of similar combinations is warranted. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER NCT02393755.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Boland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - John M L Ebos
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kristopher Attwood
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michalis Mastri
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Christos Fountzilas
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Renuka V Iyer
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Banker
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Andrew K L Goey
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Robert Bies
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Wen Wee Ma
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Marwan Fakih
- Department of Medicine, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
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Wu S, Tan Y, Li F, Han Y, Zhang S, Lin X. CD44: a cancer stem cell marker and therapeutic target in leukemia treatment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354992. [PMID: 38736891 PMCID: PMC11082360 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
CD44 is a ubiquitous leukocyte adhesion molecule involved in cell-cell interaction, cell adhesion, migration, homing and differentiation. CD44 can mediate the interaction between leukemic stem cells and the surrounding extracellular matrix, thereby inducing a cascade of signaling pathways to regulate their various behaviors. In this review, we focus on the impact of CD44s/CD44v as biomarkers in leukemia development and discuss the current research and prospects for CD44-related interventions in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wu
- Laboratory Animal Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yicheng Tan
- Laboratory Animal Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fanfan Li
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yixiang Han
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shenghui Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Wenzhou Key laboratory of Hematology, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofei Lin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Tosi A, Parisatto B, Gaffo E, Bortoluzzi S, Rosato A. A paclitaxel-hyaluronan conjugate (ONCOFID-P-B™) in patients with BCG-unresponsive carcinoma in situ of the bladder: a dynamic assessment of the tumor microenvironment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:109. [PMID: 38600583 PMCID: PMC11005197 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03028-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intravesical instillation of the paclitaxel-hyaluronan conjugate ONCOFID-P-B™ in patients with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive bladder carcinoma in situ (CIS; NCT04798703 phase I study), induced 75 and 40% of complete response (CR) after 12 weeks of intensive phase and 12 months of maintenance phase, respectively. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of ONCOFID-P-B™-treated BCG-unresponsive bladder CIS patients enrolled in the NCT04798703 phase I study, in order to identify predictive biomarkers of response. METHODS The composition and spatial interactions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the expression of the most relevant hyaluronic acid (HA) receptors on cancer cells, were analyzed in biopsies from the 20 patients enrolled in the NCT04798703 phase I study collected before starting ONCOFID-P-B™ therapy (baseline), and after the intensive and the maintenance phases. Clinical data were correlated with cell densities, cell distribution and cell interactions. Associations between immune populations or HA receptors expression and outcome were analyzed using univariate Cox regression and log-rank analysis. RESULTS In baseline biopsies, patients achieving CR after the intensive phase had a lower density of intra-tumoral CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), but also fewer interactions between CTL and macrophages or T-regulatory cells, as compared to non-responders (NR). NR expressed higher levels of the HA receptors CD44v6, ICAM-1 and RHAMM. The intra-tumoral macrophage density was positively correlated with the expression of the pro-metastatic and aggressive variant CD44v6, and the combined score of intra-tumoral macrophage density and CD44v6 expression had an AUC of 0.85 (95% CI 0.68-1.00) for patient response prediction. CONCLUSIONS The clinical response to ONCOFID-P-B™ in bladder CIS likely relies on several components of the TME, and the combined evaluation of intra-tumoral macrophages density and CD44v6 expression is a potentially new predictive biomarker for patient response. Overall, our data allow to advance a potential rationale for combinatorial treatments targeting the immune infiltrate such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, to make bladder CIS more responsive to ONCOFID-P-B™ treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tosi
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Diagnostics, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Parisatto
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Enrico Gaffo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Diagnostics, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy.
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy.
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Ji L, Fu G, Huang M, Kao X, Zhu J, Dai Z, Chen Y, Li H, Zhou J, Chu X, Lei Z. scRNA-seq of colorectal cancer shows regional immune atlas with the function of CD20 + B cells. Cancer Lett 2024; 584:216664. [PMID: 38253219 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) from different regions exhibits different histological, genetic characteristics, and molecular subtypes, even in response to conventional chemotherapies and immunotherapies. To characterize the immune landscape in different regions of CRC and search for potential therapeutic targets, we analyzed 39,484 single-cell transcription data from 19 samples of CRC and paired normal tissues from four regions to identify the immune characteristics of CRC among anatomic locations, especially in B cells. We discovered that immune cell infiltration in tumors significantly varied among different regions of CRC. B cells from right- and left-sided CRC had different development trajectories, but both had extensive interactions with myeloid cells and T cells. Survival analysis suggested that CD20+ B cells correlated with good prognosis in CRC patients, especially on the right side. Furthermore, the depletion of CD20+ B cells demonstrated that anti-CD20 promoted tumor growth progression and reversed the tumor-killing activity of anti-PD-1 treatment in vivo and in vitro. Our results highlight the characterization of the immune landscape of CRC in different regions. CD20+ B-cell infiltration has been associated with CRC patient prognosis and may promote the tumor-killing role of PD-1 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Ji
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Gongbo Fu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210000, China.
| | - Mengxi Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Xiaoming Kao
- Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Jialong Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Zhe Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Yitian Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Huiyu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Oncology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Chu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210000, China.
| | - Zengjie Lei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210000, China.
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Li J, Wei T, Ma K, Zhang J, Lu J, Zhao J, Huang J, Zeng T, Xie Y, Liang Y, Li X, Zhang Q, Liang T. Single-cell RNA sequencing highlights epithelial and microenvironmental heterogeneity in malignant progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 584:216607. [PMID: 38246225 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas are bona fide precursor lesions of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Single-cell transcriptomics provides a unique perspective for dissecting the epithelial and microenvironmental heterogeneity that accompanies progression from benign IPMNs to invasive PDAC. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed through droplet-based sequencing on 35 693 cells from three high-grade IPMNs and two IPMN-derived PDACs (all surgically resected). Analysis of single-cell transcriptomes revealed heterogeneous alterations within the epithelium and the tumor microenvironment during the progression of noninvasive dysplasia to invasive cancer. For epithelial cells, we identified acinar-ductal cells and isthmus-pit cells enriched in IPMN lesions and profiled three types of PDAC-unique ductal cells. Notably, a proinflammatory immune component was distinctly observed in IPMNs, comprising CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells, whereas M2 macrophages were significantly accumulated in PDAC. Through the analysis of cellular communication, the osteopontin gene (SPP1)-CD44 pathway between macrophages and epithelial cells were particularly strengthened in the PDAC group. Further prognostic analysis revealed that SPP1 is a biomarker of IPMN carcinogenesis for surveillance. This study demonstrates the ability to perform high-resolution profiling of single cellular transcriptomes during the progression of high-grade IPMNs to cancer. Notably, single-cell analysis provides an unparalleled insight into both epithelial and microenvironmental heterogeneity associated with early cancer pathogenesis and provides practical markers for surveillance and targets for cancer interception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Ke Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Jianfeng Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Jianhui Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Jinyan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Tao Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Yali Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Yingjiqiong Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Xuejie Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Zhejiang University, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.
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Shah D, Bhattacharya S, Gupta GL, Hatware KV, Jain A, Manthalkar L, Phatak N, Sreelaya P. d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate surface scaffold polysarcosine based polymeric nanoparticles of enzalutamide for the treatment of colorectal cancer: In vitro, in vivo characterizations. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25172. [PMID: 38333874 PMCID: PMC10850913 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, Enzalutamide (ENZ) loaded Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) nanoparticles coated with polysarcosine and d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) were prepared using a three-step modified nanoprecipitation method combined with self-assembly. A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design was implemented with Design-Expert® software to evaluate the impact of three independent variables on particle size, zeta potential, and percent entrapment efficiency through a numeric optimization approach. The results were corroborated with ANOVA analysis, regression equations, and response surface plots. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope images revealed nanosized, spherical polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with a size distribution ranging from 178.9 ± 2.3 to 212.8 ± 0.7 nm, a zeta potential of 12.6 ± 0.8 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 71.2 ± 0.7 %. The latter increased with higher polymer concentration. Increased polymer concentration and homogenization speed also enhanced drug entrapment efficiency. In vitro drug release was 85 ± 22.5 %, following the Higuchi model (R2 = 0.98) and Fickian diffusion (n < 0.5). In vitro cytotoxicity assessments, including Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Estimation, Apoptosis analysis, cell cycle analysis, Reactive oxygen species estimation, Wound healing assay, DNA fragmentation assay, and IC50 evaluation with Sulforhodamine B assay, indicated low toxicity and high efficacy of polymeric nanoparticles compared to the drug alone. In vivo studies demonstrated biocompatibility and target specificity. The findings suggest that TPGS surface-scaffolded polysarcosine-based polymer nanoparticles of ENZ could be a promising and safe delivery system with sustained release for colorectal cancer treatment, yielding improved therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disha Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Sankha Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Girdhari Lal Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Ketan Vinayakrao Hatware
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University (IMU), Jalan Jalil Perkasa 1, Bukit Jalil, 57700 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Arinjay Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Laxmi Manthalkar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Niraj Phatak
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Putrevu Sreelaya
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
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12
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Wu J, Shen Y, Zeng G, Liang Y, Liao G. SPP1 + TAM subpopulations in tumor microenvironment promote intravasation and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:311-321. [PMID: 38052857 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages are heterogeneous cells that play multifaceted roles in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the phenotypic diversity of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCC) remains poorly characterized. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the HNSCC single-cell transcriptomic dataset (GSE172577) and identified 5 subsets of myeloid-driven cells as TAMs using Seurat. Deciphering the lineage trajectory of TAMs, we revealed that FCN1+ TAMs could give rise to pro-angiogenesis SPP1+CCL18+ and SPP1+FOLR2+ populations through SPP1-CCL18+ and CXCL9+CXCL10+ TAMs. SPP1+CCL18+ and SPP1+FOLR2+ TAMs harbored pro-angiogenic and metastatic transcriptional programs and were correlated with poor survival of HNSCC patients. Our immunostaining examination revealed that infiltration of SPP1+ TAMs is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC. Cell-cell communication analysis implied that SPP1+ TAM populations may employ SPP1 signaling to activate metastasis-related ECs. In vitro and in vivo studies, we demonstrated that SPP1hi TAMs enhanced tumor intravasation and metastasis in HNSCC in a manner dependent on the secretion of SPP1, CCL18, and CXCL8. Taken together, our study characterized the cellular heterogeneity of TAM populations and identified two SPP1+ TAM populations that play key roles in HNSCC intravasation and metastasis and serve as predictive markers for patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashun Wu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guozhong Zeng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yujie Liang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guiqing Liao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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13
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Yang CL, Song R, Hu JW, Huang JT, Li NN, Ni HH, Li YK, Zhang J, Lu Z, Zhou M, Wang JD, Li MJ, Zhan GH, Peng T, Yu HP, Qi LN, Wang QY, Xiang BD. Integrating single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing reveals CK19 + cancer stem cells and their specific SPP1 + tumor-associated macrophage niche in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:73-90. [PMID: 38159218 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10615-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cytokeratin 19-positive cancer stem cells (CK19 + CSCs) and their tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have not been fully explored yet in the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on the viable cells obtained from 11 treatment-naïve HBV-associated HCC patients, including 8 CK19 + patients, to elucidate their transcriptomic landscape, CK19 + CSC heterogeneity, and immune microenvironment. Two in-house primary HCC cohorts (96 cases-related HBV and 89 cases with recurrence), TCGA external cohort, and in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to validate the results. RESULTS A total of 64,581 single cells derived from the human HCC and adjacent normal tissues were sequenced, and 11 cell types were identified. The result showed that CK19 + CSCs were phenotypically and transcriptionally heterogeneous, co-expressed multiple hepatics CSC markers, and were positively correlated with worse prognosis. Moreover, the SPP1 + TAMs (TAM_SPP1) with strong M2-like features and worse prognosis were specifically enriched in the CK19 + HCC and promoted tumor invasion and metastasis by activating angiogenesis. Importantly, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) derived from TAM_SPP1, as the hub gene of CK19 + HCC, was activated by the VEGFA signal. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the heterogeneity and stemness characteristics of CK19 + CSCs and specific immunosuppressive TAM_SPP1 in CK19 + HCC. The VEGFA signal can activate TAM_SPP1-derived MMP9 to promote the invasion and metastasis of CK19 + HCC tumors. This might provide novel insights into the clinical treatment of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Lei Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Rui Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Jun-Wen Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Jun-Tao Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Nan-Nan Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Workers' Hospital, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Hang-Hang Ni
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Yuan-Kuan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Zhan Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Jun-Duo Wang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Min-Jun Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Guo-Hua Zhan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Tao Peng
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Hong-Ping Yu
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
- Research Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Lu-Nan Qi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
| | - Qiu-Yan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang Yong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
| | - Bang-De Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Qingxiu District, 71 He Di Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
- Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Province, China.
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14
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Xing J, Cai H, Lin Z, Zhao L, Xu H, Song Y, Wang Z, Liu C, Hu G, Zheng J, Ren L, Wei Z. Examining the function of macrophage oxidative stress response and immune system in glioblastoma multiforme through analysis of single-cell transcriptomics. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1288137. [PMID: 38274828 PMCID: PMC10808540 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1288137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GBM), a prevalent malignant neoplasm within the neuro-oncological domain, has been a subject of considerable scrutiny. Macrophages, serving as the principal immunological constituents, profoundly infiltrate the microenvironment of GBM. However, investigations elucidating the intricate immunological mechanisms governing macrophage involvement in GBM at the single-cell level remain notably limited. Methods We conducted a comprehensive investigation employing single-cell analysis, aiming to redefine the intricate cellular landscape within both the core and peripheral regions of GBM tumors. Our analytical focus extended to the profound study of macrophages, elucidating their roles within the context of oxidative stress, intercellular information exchange, and cellular trajectories concerning GBM and its assorted subpopulations. We pursued the identification of GBM prognostic genes intricately associated with macrophages. Utilizing experimental research to investigate the relevance of MANBA in the context of GBM. Results Our investigations have illuminated the central role of macrophages in the intricate interplay among various subpopulations within the GBM microenvironment. Notably, we observed a pronounced intensity of oxidative stress responses within macrophages when compared to their GBM counterparts in other subpopulations. Moreover, macrophages orchestrated intricate cellular communication networks, facilitated by the SPP1-CD44 axis, both internally and with neighboring subpopulations. These findings collectively suggest the potential for macrophage polarization from an M1 to an M2 phenotype, contributing to immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, our exploration unearthed GBM prognostic genes closely associated with macrophages, most notably MANBA and TCF12. Remarkably, MANBA appears to participate in the modulation of neuroimmune functionality by exerting inhibitory effects on M1-polarized macrophages, thereby fostering tumor progression. To bolster these assertions, experimental validations unequivocally affirmed the promotional impact of MANBA on GBM, elucidated through its capacity to curb cell proliferation, invasiveness, and metastatic potential. Conclusion These revelations represent a pivotal step towards unraveling the intricate immunological mechanisms governing the interactions between macrophages and diverse subpopulations within the GBM milieu. Furthermore, they lay the foundation for the development of an innovative GBM prognostic model, with MANBA at its epicenter, and underscore the potential for novel immunotherapeutic targets in the ongoing pursuit of enhanced treatment modalities for this formidable malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Huabao Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhiheng Lin
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanbing Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaobo Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangdong Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajie Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilong Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
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15
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Kumari A, Kashyap D, Garg VK. Osteopontin in cancer. Adv Clin Chem 2024; 118:87-110. [PMID: 38280808 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) is a heavily post-translationally modified protein with a molecular weight of 44-70 kDa, depending on the degree of glycosylation. OPN is involved in various biological processes, including bone remodeling, immune response, cell adhesion, migration, and survival. It is essential for controlling osteoclast and osteoblast activity for maintaining bone mass and bone strength. Additionally, OPN has been linked to cardiovascular, inflammatory illnesses, as well as the onset and progression of cancer. OPN is a multifunctional protein that can interact with a variety of cell surface receptors, such as integrins, CD44, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) components (e.g. collagen and hydroxyapatite). These interactions contribute to its wide range of biological functions in general and has significant implications for bone biology, immunology and cancer, specifically. In this chapter, we summarize the structure of OPN with a focus on its molecular mechanisms of action in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpana Kumari
- Department of Optometry, University Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Dharambir Kashyap
- Department of Medicine, The Brown Centre for Immunotherapy, Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Vivek Kumar Garg
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, University Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Yang T, Liu J, Liu F, Lei J, Chen S, Ma Z, Ke P, Yang Q, Wen J, He Y, Duan J, Zeng X. Integrative analysis of disulfidptosis and immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: a putative model and immunotherapeutic strategies. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1294677. [PMID: 38235128 PMCID: PMC10791859 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1294677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with a high rate of recurrence and m metastasis that does not respond well to current therapies and has a very poor prognosis. Disulfidptosis is a novel mode of cell death that has been analyzed as a novel therapeutic target for HCC cells. Methods This study integrated bulk ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing datasets, spatial transcriptomics (ST), and single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the landscape of disulfidptosis and the immune microenvironment of HCC cells. Results We developed a novel model to predict the prognosis of patients with HCC based on disulfidptosis. The model has good stability, applicability, and prognostic and immune response prediction abilities. N-myc downregulated gene1 (NDRG1) may contribute to poor prognosis by affecting macrophage differentiation, thus allowing HCC cells to evade the immune system. Conclusion Our study explores the disulfidptosis of HCC cells through multi-omics and establishes a new putative model that explores possible targets for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ti Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary-pancreatic&hernia Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junhao Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary-pancreatic&hernia Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Liu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiashun Lei
- Department of Hepatobiliary-pancreatic&hernia Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Siliang Chen
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zengxin Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary-pancreatic&hernia Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peifeng Ke
- Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiaolan Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary-pancreatic&hernia Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianfan Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary-pancreatic&hernia Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifeng He
- Department of General Management, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Duan
- Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiancheng Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary-pancreatic&hernia Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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17
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Lin Y, Qi Y, Jiang M, Huang W, Li B. Lactic acid-induced M2-like macrophages facilitate tumor cell migration and invasion via the GPNMB/CD44 axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110972. [PMID: 37806107 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent form of oral and maxillofacial malignancies, characterized by a low five-year survival rate primarily caused by invasion and metastasis. The progression of OSCC is influenced by macrophage-mediated immunosuppression, which contributes to both local invasion and distant metastasis. Herein, it is of great necessity to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between OSCC cells and macrophages, as it remains unclear. In the present study, we found that lactic acid orchestrated intracellular communication in the tumor microenvironment. Glycoprotein non-metastatic protein B (GPNMB), a remarkable molecule preferentially expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), was significantly highly expressed in the OSCC tissue. The results showed that lactic acid induced macrophage polarization towards an M2-like phenotype and orchestrated GPNMB secretion from macrophages. Furthermore, paracrine GPNMB played a critical role in triggering tumor-promoting activities such as facilitating tumor cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In terms of molecular mechanism, GPNMB functionally interacted with the CD44 receptor, and then partially activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade. Silencing of CD44 could attenuate the tumor-promoting effects of GPNMB in OSCC cells. Collectively, our findings decipher a positive feedback loop in which tumor cells metabolically interact with macrophages in the OSCC microenvironment, highlighting the potential for therapeutic targeting of the GPNMB/CD44 axis as a promising strategy for treating OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lin
- Experimental Teaching Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Ying Qi
- Experimental Teaching Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Mingjing Jiang
- Experimental Teaching Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Experimental Teaching Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Bo Li
- Experimental Teaching Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang 110001, China; Department of Oral Anatomy and Physiology, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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18
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Zaarour RF, Ribeiro M, Azzarone B, Kapoor S, Chouaib S. Tumor microenvironment-induced tumor cell plasticity: relationship with hypoxic stress and impact on tumor resistance. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1222575. [PMID: 37886168 PMCID: PMC10598765 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1222575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of tumor interaction with stromal components during carcinogenesis is crucial for the design of efficient cancer treatment approaches. It is widely admitted that tumor hypoxic stress is associated with tumor aggressiveness and thus impacts susceptibility and resistance to different types of treatments. Notable biological processes that hypoxia functions in include its regulation of tumor heterogeneity and plasticity. While hypoxia has been reported as a major player in tumor survival and dissemination regulation, the significance of hypoxia inducible factors in cancer stem cell development remains poorly understood. Several reports indicate that the emergence of cancer stem cells in addition to their phenotype and function within a hypoxic tumor microenvironment impacts cancer progression. In this respect, evidence showed that cancer stem cells are key elements of intratumoral heterogeneity and more importantly are responsible for tumor relapse and escape to treatments. This paper briefly reviews our current knowledge of the interaction between tumor hypoxic stress and its role in stemness acquisition and maintenance. Our review extensively covers the influence of hypoxia on the formation and maintenance of cancer stem cells and discusses the potential of targeting hypoxia-induced alterations in the expression and function of the so far known stem cell markers in cancer therapy approaches. We believe that a better and integrated understanding of the effect of hypoxia on stemness during carcinogenesis might lead to new strategies for exploiting hypoxia-associated pathways and their targeting in the clinical setting in order to overcome resistance mechanisms. More importantly, at the present time, efforts are oriented towards the design of innovative therapeutical approaches that specifically target cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- RF. Zaarour
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - M. Ribeiro
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - B. Azzarone
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - S. Kapoor
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - S. Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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19
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Yan Z, Hu X, Tang B, Deng F. Role of osteopontin in cancer development and treatment. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21055. [PMID: 37867833 PMCID: PMC10587537 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional protein secreted intracellularly and extracellularly by various cell types, including NK cells, macrophages, osteoblasts, T cells, and cancer cells. Owing to its diverse distribution, OPN plays a role in cell proliferation, stem-cell-like properties, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, glycolysis, angiogenesis, fibrosis, invasion, and metastasis. In this review, we discuss recent findings, interpret representative studies on OPN expression in cancer, clarify that elevated OPN levels are observed in multiple cancer types (including colorectal, breast, lung, and liver cancer), and explore how OPN-macrophage interactions shape the tumor microenvironment. We also summarize progress in OPN research with regard to tumor therapy, which can facilitate the development of novel anti-tumor treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Yan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, China
| | - Xue Hu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, China
| | - Fengmei Deng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, China
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20
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Khan SU, Rayees S, Sharma P, Malik F. Targeting redox regulation and autophagy systems in cancer stem cells. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:1405-1423. [PMID: 36473988 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00955-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a dysregulated cellular level pathological condition that results in tumor formation followed by metastasis. In the heterogeneous tumor architecture, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are essential to push forward the progression of tumors due to their strong pro-tumor properties such as stemness, self-renewal, plasticity, metastasis, and being poorly responsive to radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic agents. Cancer stem cells have the ability to withstand various stress pressures by modulating transcriptional and translational mechanisms, and adaptable metabolic changes. Owing to CSCs heterogeneity and plasticity, these cells display varied metabolic and redox profiles across different types of cancers. It has been established that there is a disparity in the levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generated in CSCs vs Non-CSC and these differential levels are detected across different tumors. CSCs have unique metabolic demands and are known to change plasticity during metastasis by passing through the interchangeable epithelial and mesenchymal-like phenotypes. During the metastatic process, tumor cells undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) thus attaining invasive properties while leaving the primary tumor site, similarly during the course of circulation and extravasation at a distant organ, these cells regain their epithelial characteristics through Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition (MET) to initiate micrometastasis. It has been evidenced that levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and associated metabolic activities vary between the epithelial and mesenchymal states of CSCs. Similarly, the levels of oxidative and metabolic states were observed to get altered in CSCs post-drug treatments. As oxidative and metabolic changes guide the onset of autophagy in cells, its role in self-renewal, quiescence, proliferation and response to drug treatment is well established. This review will highlight the molecular mechanisms useful for expanding therapeutic strategies based on modulating redox regulation and autophagy activation to targets. Specifically, we will account for the mounting data that focus on the role of ROS generated by different metabolic pathways and autophagy regulation in eradicating stem-like cells hereafter referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ullah Khan
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar, 190005, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sheikh Rayees
- PK PD Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Pankaj Sharma
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar, 190005, India
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar, 190005, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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21
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Digifico E, Erreni M, Mannarino L, Marchini S, Ummarino A, Anfray C, Bertola L, Recordati C, Pistillo D, Roncalli M, Bossi P, Zucali PA, D’Incalci M, Belgiovine C, Allavena P. Important functional role of the protein osteopontin in the progression of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1116430. [PMID: 37398648 PMCID: PMC10312076 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1116430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelial lining associated with exposure to airborne non-degradable asbestos fibers. Its poor response to currently available treatments prompted us to explore the biological mechanisms involved in its progression. MPM is characterized by chronic non-resolving inflammation; in this study we investigated which inflammatory mediators are mostly expressed in biological tumor samples from MPM patients, with a focus on inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and matrix components. Methods Expression and quantification of Osteopontin (OPN) was detected in tumor and plasma samples of MPM patients by mRNA, immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The functional role of OPN was investigated in mouse MPM cell lines in vivo using an orthotopic syngeneic mouse model. Results In patients with MPM, the protein OPN was significantly more expressed in tumors than in normal pleural tissues and predominantly produced by mesothelioma cells; plasma levels were elevated in patients and associated with poor prognosis. However, modulation of OPN levels was not significantly different in a series of 18 MPM patients receiving immunotherapy with durvalumab alone or with pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy, some of whom achieved a partial clinical response. Two established murine mesothelioma cell lines: AB1 and AB22 of sarcomatoid and epithelioid histology, respectively, spontaneously produced high levels of OPN. Silencing of the OPN gene (Spp1) dramatically inhibited tumor growth in vivo in an orthotopic model, indicating that OPN has an important promoting role in the proliferation of MPM cells. Treatment of mice with anti-CD44 mAb, blocking a major OPN receptor, significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion These results demonstrate that OPN is an endogenous growth factor for mesothelial cells and inhibition of its signaling may be helpful to restrain tumor progression in vivo. These findings have translational potential to improve the therapeutic response of human MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Erreni
- Unit of Advanced Optical Microscopy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Mannarino
- Lab. Cancer Pharmacology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milano, Italy
- Department Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Marchini
- Lab. Cancer Pharmacology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Aldo Ummarino
- Department Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milano, Italy
| | - Clément Anfray
- Department Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bertola
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Lab., Fondazione Unimi, and Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Camilla Recordati
- Mouse and Animal Pathology Lab., Fondazione Unimi, and Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Daniela Pistillo
- Biobank, Humanitas IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Roncalli
- Department Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Bossi
- Department Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Andrea Zucali
- Department Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milano, Italy
- Department Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Maurizio D’Incalci
- Lab. Cancer Pharmacology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milano, Italy
- Department Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Paola Allavena
- Department Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milano, Italy
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22
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Mamazhakypov A, Maripov A, Sarybaev AS, Schermuly RT, Sydykov A. Osteopontin in Pulmonary Hypertension. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051385. [PMID: 37239056 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathological condition with multifactorial etiology, which is characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular remodeling. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that circulating osteopontin may serve as a biomarker of PH progression, severity, and prognosis, as well as an indicator of maladaptive right ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. Moreover, preclinical studies in rodent models have implicated osteopontin in PH pathogenesis. Osteopontin modulates a plethora of cellular processes within the pulmonary vasculature, including cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, extracellular matrix synthesis, and inflammation via binding to various receptors such as integrins and CD44. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of osteopontin regulation and its impact on pulmonary vascular remodeling, as well as consider research issues required for the development of therapeutics targeting osteopontin as a potential strategy for the management of PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argen Mamazhakypov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Abdirashit Maripov
- Department of Mountain and Sleep Medicine and Pulmonary Hypertension, National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek 720040, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Akpay S Sarybaev
- Department of Mountain and Sleep Medicine and Pulmonary Hypertension, National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek 720040, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Ralph Theo Schermuly
- Department of Internal Medicine, Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Akylbek Sydykov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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23
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Warrier NM, Kelkar N, Johnson CT, Govindarajan T, Prabhu V, Kumar P. Understanding cancer stem cells and plasticity: Towards better therapeutics. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151321. [PMID: 37137199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of cancer cells to finally overcome various lines of treatment in due course has always baffled the scientific community. Even with the most promising therapies, relapse is ultimately seen, and this resilience has proved to be a major hurdle in the management of cancer. Accumulating evidence now attributes this resilience to plasticity. Plasticity is the ability of cells to change their properties and is substantial as it helps in normal tissue regeneration or post-injury repair processes. It also helps in the overall maintenance of homeostasis. Unfortunately, this critical ability of cells, when activated incorrectly, can lead to numerous diseases, including cancer. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the plasticity aspect with an emphasis on cancer stem cells (CSCs). We discuss the various forms of plasticity that provide survival advantages to CSCs. Moreover, we explore various factors that affect plasticity. Furthermore, we provide the therapeutic implications of plasticity. Finally, we provide an insight into the future targeted therapies involving plasticity for better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neerada Meenakshi Warrier
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Nachiket Kelkar
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Carol Tresa Johnson
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Vijendra Prabhu
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
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24
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Kazakova E, Rakina M, Sudarskikh T, Iamshchikov P, Tarasova A, Tashireva L, Afanasiev S, Dobrodeev A, Zhuikova L, Cherdyntseva N, Kzhyshkowska J, Larionova I. Angiogenesis regulators S100A4, SPARC and SPP1 correlate with macrophage infiltration and are prognostic biomarkers in colon and rectal cancers. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1058337. [PMID: 36895491 PMCID: PMC9989292 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1058337] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Increasing evidence suggests that it is necessary to find effective and robust clinically validated prognostic biomarkers that can identify "high-risk" colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Currently, available prognostic factors largely include clinical-pathological parameters and focus on the cancer stage at the time of diagnosis. Among cells of tumor microenvironment (TME) only Immunoscore classifier based on T lymphocytes showed high predictive value. Methods In the present study, we performed the complex analysis of mRNA and protein expression of crucial regulators of tumor angiogenesis and tumor progression, expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs): S100A4, SPP1 and SPARC. Colon and rectal cancer patients were investigated independently and in a combined cohort (CRC). For mRNA expression, we analyzed RNA sequencing data obtained from TCGA (N=417) and GEO (N=92) cohorts of colorectal cancer patients. For protein expression, we performed IHC digital quantification of tumor tissues obtained from 197 patients with CRC treated in the Department of abdominal oncology in Clinics of Tomsk NRMC. Results High S100A4 mRNA expression accurately predicted poor survival for patients with CRC independently of cancer type. SPARC mRNA level was independent prognostic factors for survival in colon but not in rectal cancer. SPP1 mRNA level had significant predictive value for survival in both rectal and colon cancers. Analysis of human CRC tissues revealed that S100A4, SPP1 and SPARC are expressed by stromal compartments, in particular by TAMs, and have a strong correlation with macrophage infiltration. Finally, our results indicate that chemotherapy-based treatment can change the predictive direction of S100A4 for rectal cancer patients. We found that S100A4 stromal levels were higher in patients with better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy, and S100A4 mRNA levels predicted better DFS among non-responders. Discussion These findings can help improve the prognosis of patients with CRC based on S100A4, SPP1 and SPARC expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kazakova
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Militsa Rakina
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana Sudarskikh
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Pavel Iamshchikov
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anna Tarasova
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Liubov Tashireva
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Sergei Afanasiev
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Alexei Dobrodeev
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Lilia Zhuikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nadezhda Cherdyntseva
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
- Laboratory of Genetic Technologies, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Laboratory of Genetic Technologies, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg – Hessen, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Irina Larionova
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
- Laboratory of Genetic Technologies, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
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25
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The Intracellular and Secreted Sides of Osteopontin and Their Putative Physiopathological Roles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032942. [PMID: 36769264 PMCID: PMC9917417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Classically, osteopontin (OPN) has been described as a secreted glycophosprotein. Indeed, most data concerning its physiological and pathological roles are mainly related to the secreted OPN (sOPN). However, there are several instances in which intracellular OPN (iOPN) has been described, presenting some specific roles in distinct experimental models, such as in the immune system, cancer cells, and neurological disorders. We herein aimed to highlight and discuss some of these secreted and intracellular roles of OPN and their putative clinical and biological impacts. Moreover, by consolidating data from the OPN protein database, we also analyzed the occurrence of signal peptide (SP) sequences and putative subcellular localization, especially concerning currently known OPN splicing variants (OPN-SV). Comprehending the roles of OPN in its distinct cellular and tissue environments may provide data regarding the additional applications of this protein as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic purposes, besides further describing its pleiotropic roles.
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26
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Liu Z, Xiao Z, Wang X, Zhang L, Zhang Z. Ion channel gene GJB2 influences the intercellular communication by Up-regulating the SPP1 signaling pathway identified by the single-cell RNA sequencing in lung adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1146976. [PMID: 37188183 PMCID: PMC10175797 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1146976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Firstly, observe the prognostic significance and the biological functional effects of gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2 or Cx26) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Subsequently, explore the role played by GJB2 in intercellular communication by single-cell RNA sequencing. Method We made a differential analysis of GJB2 expression through public databases and investigated the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance. ESTIMATE analysis and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database were utilized to illustrate the association of GJB2 with immune infiltration and components of the tumor microenvironment. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed to study the biological function of GJB2. Cell-cell communication was analyzed using the CellChat R package through sc-RNA data. Results GJB2 has an outstanding prognosis value in LUAD and a close relationship was found between GJB2 and immune infiltration in LUAD. GJB2 could participate in several tumor biological processes, including extracellular matrix remodeling and upregulation of multiple cancer-related active pathways. GJB2 related hub-genes influence intercellular communication through the SPP1 signaling pathway. Conclusion Our study illustrates one mechanism by which GJB2 exerts its cancer-specific relevant effects, that is, causing changes in intercellular communication through the SPP1 signaling pathway. Blockade of this pathway may limit the functional role of GJB2 and provide us with promising new perceptions for LUAD treatment.
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27
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Nallasamy P, Nimmakayala RK, Parte S, Are AC, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Tumor microenvironment enriches the stemness features: the architectural event of therapy resistance and metastasis. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:225. [PMID: 36550571 PMCID: PMC9773588 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01682-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer divergence has many facets other than being considered a genetic term. It is a tremendous challenge to understand the metastasis and therapy response in cancer biology; however, it postulates the opportunity to explore the possible mechanism in the surrounding tumor environment. Most deadly solid malignancies are distinctly characterized by their tumor microenvironment (TME). TME consists of stromal components such as immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocytes, and fibroblast cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer stem-like cells are a small sub-set of the population within cancer cells believed to be a responsible player in the self-renewal, metastasis, and therapy response of cancer cells. The correlation between TME and CSCs remains an enigma in understanding the events of metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer biology. Recent evidence suggests that TME dictates the CSCs maintenance to arbitrate cancer progression and metastasis. The immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocyte, and fibroblast cells in the TME release growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, microRNAs, and exosomes that provide cues for the gain and maintenance of CSC features. These intricate cross-talks are fueled to evolve into aggressive, invasive, migratory phenotypes for cancer development. In this review, we have abridged the recent developments in the role of the TME factors in CSC maintenance and how these events influence the transition of tumor progression to further translate into metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Abhirup C Are
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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28
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Li GM, Xiao GZ, Qin PF, Wan XY, Fu YJ, Zheng YH, Luo MY, Ren DL, Liu SP, Chen HX, Lin HC. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment between Young-Onset and Old-Onset Colorectal Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121860. [PMID: 36551288 PMCID: PMC9776336 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of sporadic young-onset colorectal cancer (yCRC) is increasing. Compared with old-onset colorectal cancer (oCRC), yCRC has different clinical and molecular characteristics. However, the difference in the tumor microenvironment (TME) between yCRC and oCRC remains unclear. METHODS Fourteen untreated CRC tumor samples were subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS B cells and naïve T cells are enriched in yCRC, while effector T cells and plasma cells are enriched in oCRC. Effector T cells of yCRC show decreased interferon-gamma response and proliferative activity; meanwhile, Treg cells in yCRC show stronger oxidative phosphorylation and TGF-β signaling than that in oCRC. The down-regulated immune response of T cells in yCRC may be regulated by immune and malignant cells, as we observed a downregulation of antigen presentation and immune activations in B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. Finally, we identified malignant cells in yCRC and oCRC with high heterogeneity and revealed their interactions with immune cells in the TME. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal significant differences of TME between yCRC and oCRC, of which the TME of yCRC is more immunosuppressive than oCRC. Malignant cells play an essential role in the formation of the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Ming Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Guo-Zhong Xiao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Peng-Fei Qin
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Single-Cell Omics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xing-Yang Wan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yuan-Ji Fu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yi-Hui Zheng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Min-Yi Luo
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Dong-Lin Ren
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Shi-Ping Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Single-Cell Omics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Correspondence: (S.-P.L.); (H.-X.C.); (H.-C.L.); Tel.: +86-15915815776 (H.-C.L.); Fax: +86-20-38254221 (H.-C.L.)
| | - Hua-Xian Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Correspondence: (S.-P.L.); (H.-X.C.); (H.-C.L.); Tel.: +86-15915815776 (H.-C.L.); Fax: +86-20-38254221 (H.-C.L.)
| | - Hong-Cheng Lin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Correspondence: (S.-P.L.); (H.-X.C.); (H.-C.L.); Tel.: +86-15915815776 (H.-C.L.); Fax: +86-20-38254221 (H.-C.L.)
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Pramanik A, Xu Z, Ingram N, Coletta PL, Millner PA, Tyler AII, Hughes TA. Hyaluronic-Acid-Tagged Cubosomes Deliver Cytotoxics Specifically to CD44-Positive Cancer Cells. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:4601-4611. [PMID: 35938983 PMCID: PMC9727730 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of chemotherapy drugs specifically to cancer cells raises local drug doses in tumors and therefore kills more cancer cells while reducing side effects in other tissues, thereby improving oncological and quality of life outcomes. Cubosomes, liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles, are potential vehicles for delivery of chemotherapy drugs, presenting the advantages of biocompatibility, stable encapsulation, and high drug loading of hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs. However, active targeting of drug-loaded cubosomes to cancer cells, as opposed to passive accumulation, remains relatively underexplored. We formulated and characterized cubosomes loaded with potential cancer drug copper acetylacetonate and functionalized their surfaces using click chemistry coupling with hyaluronic acid (HA), the ligand for the cell surface receptor CD44. CD44 is overexpressed in many cancer types including breast and colorectal. HA-tagged, copper-acetylacetonate-loaded cubosomes have an average hydrodynamic diameter of 152 nm, with an internal nanostructure based on the space group Im3m. These cubosomes were efficiently taken up by two CD44-expressing cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and HT29, representing breast and colon cancer) but not by two CD44-negative cell lines (MCF-7 breast cancer and HEK-293 kidney cells). HA-tagged cubosomes caused significantly more cell death than untargeted cubosomes in the CD44-positive cells, demonstrating the value of the targeting. CD44-negative cells were equally relatively resistant to both, demonstrating the specificity of the targeting. Cell death was characterized as apoptotic. Specific targeting and cell death were evident in both 2D culture and 3D spheroids. We conclude that HA-tagged, copper-acetylacetonate-loaded cubosomes show great potential as an effective therapeutic for selective targeting of CD44-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arindam Pramanik
- School
of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom,
| | - Zexi Xu
- School
of Food Science and Nutrition, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Ingram
- School
of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul A Millner
- School
of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Arwen I I Tyler
- School
of Food Science and Nutrition, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom,
| | - Thomas A Hughes
- School
of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom,
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30
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Direct cell-cell interaction regulates division of stem cells from PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 631:25-31. [PMID: 36162326 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation that can drive recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, therapies targeting CSCs are required. Although previous findings have suggested that non-CSCs regulate the proliferation and differentiation of CSCs in the tumor microenvironment, the precise molecular mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we found that a direct interaction between CSCs and non-CSCs downregulated CSC division in the PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line. We found that the proliferation of PC-3-derived CSCs (PrSCs) was significantly decreased (∼47%) in the presence of non-CSC-rich parental PC-3 cells compared with that in a culture in which they were absent. We observed no differences in PrSC proliferation when we indirectly cocultured them with PC-3 cells across a Transwell insert, and PrSCs that were transiently bound to immobilized PC-3 cells proliferated more slowly than those bound to PrSCs. The frequency of cell division with prior PrSC-PrSC contact was 2.8 times higher in the PrSC monoculture compared with that in the coculture with PC-3 cells. We found that the PrSCs were approximately 1.3 times more closely associated in the monoculture compared with the coculture with PC-3 cells, as determined by a cell proximity assay. The frequency of asymmetric PrSC division was 6.5% in the monoculture compared with 1.0% in the coculture with PC-3 cells (P < 0.045). By analyzing our data, we determined the importance of PrSC-non-CSC contact in regulating the frequency and mode of PrSC division. This regulation might be a valuable target for treating cancer.
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31
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Tan Y, Zhao L, Yang YG, Liu W. The Role of Osteopontin in Tumor Progression Through Tumor-Associated Macrophages. Front Oncol 2022; 12:953283. [PMID: 35898884 PMCID: PMC9309262 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.953283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional phosphorylated protein. It is widely involved in solid tumor progression, such as intensification of macrophage recruitment, inhibition of T-cell activity, aggravation of tumor interstitial fibrosis, promotion of tumor metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and angiogenesis. Most of these pathologies are affected by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TAMs have been extensively characterized, including their subsets, phenotypes, activation status, and functions, and are considered a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. This review focuses on the interaction between OPN and TAMs in mediating tumor progression. We discuss the strategies for targeting OPN and TAMs to treat cancer and factors that may affect the therapeutic outcomes of blocking OPN or depleting TAMs. We also discuss the role of cancer cell- vs. TAM-derived OPN in tumorigenesis, the mechanisms of how OPN affects TAM recruitment and polarization, and why OPN could mediate anti-tumor and pro-tumor effects, as well as previously reported discrepancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Tan
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Guang Yang, ; Wentao Liu,
| | - Wentao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Guang Yang, ; Wentao Liu,
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32
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Chiou YS, Lan YM, Lee PS, Lin Q, Nagabhushanam K, Ho CT, Pan MH. Piceatannol Prevents Colon Cancer Progression via Dual-Targeting to M2-Polarized Tumor-Associated Macrophages and the TGF-β1 Positive Feedback Signaling Pathway. Mol Nutr Food Res 2022; 66:e2200248. [PMID: 35616191 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202200248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE M2 phenotype tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) play a key role in distant metastasis and poor clinical outcomes. Herein, a specific molecular mechanism that contributes to malignant progression is illuminated and investigates whether piceatannol (PIC) can target the crosstalk between M2-TAMs and cancer cells for potential colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS To mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME), direct and indirect coculture systems in vitro and in vivo mouse xenograft models are established. The results demonstrate that post-treatment with PIC in TME more effectively prevented the aggressive features and stemness of SW480 cells by restricting the polarization of M2-like macrophages and blocking the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) positive feedback autocrine/paracrine loop that exists between M2-like polarized macrophages and cancer cells. Furthermore, xenograft assays also observe significant repression in tumor growth and lung metastases with the administration of PIC. The key mechanism underlying the antimetastasis effects of PIC may include its directly inhibitory activity against TGF-β receptor type-1 (TGF-βR1) in the M2-like TAMs-created TME. CONCLUSION These novel findings demonstrate that PIC is a potent TGF-β1/TGF-βR1 pathway inhibitor and TME modulator for preventing tumor progression and metastasis in CRC by reeducating TAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Shiou Chiou
- Master Degree Program in Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.,Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Lan
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Sheng Lee
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Qianyu Lin
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | | | - Chi-Tang Ho
- Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Min-Hsiung Pan
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.,Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan
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Cheng Q, Zheng H, Li M, Wang H, Guo X, Zheng Z, Chen C, Liu J, Zhan T, Li Z, Wu H, Han J, Liu L, Tang T, Chen Q, Du L. LGR4 cooperates with PrPc to endow the stemness of colorectal cancer stem cells contributing to tumorigenesis and liver metastasis. Cancer Lett 2022; 540:215725. [PMID: 35561877 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that drive tumour progression and metastasis. Anti-CSC strategies represent new targets for cancer therapies. However, CSCs are highly plastic and heterogeneous, making validation and targeting difficult without bona fide markers that define their identity, especially in a clinical setting. Here, we report that a leucine-rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) cooperates with CD44 and PrPc; the latter contributes significantly to metastatic capacity and defines the stemness characteristics of colorectal CSCs. CD44+PrPc+LGR4+ cells effectively developed into organoids and, when transplanted, generated orthotopic and metastatic tumours. Importantly, targeting LGR4 and PrPc with lentiviral shRNAs inhibited organoid development and the growth of orthotopic tumours by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Thus, our study offers a novel therapeutic strategy that simultaneously targets CSC stemness and metastatic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cheng
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University. Tianjin, 300071, China; CNBG-Nankai University Joint Research and Development Center, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Hongyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Guo
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University. Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhibo Zheng
- Department of International Medical Services, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Chuyan Chen
- Department of International Medical Services, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University. Tianjin, 300071, China; CNBG-Nankai University Joint Research and Development Center, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Tiancheng Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhaowei Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Hao Wu
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jingdong Han
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University. Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lei Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Tieshan Tang
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Quan Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University. Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Lei Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Beijing, 100101, China.
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Li Y, Chen Z, Han J, Ma X, Zheng X, Chen J. Functional and Therapeutic Significance of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:781233. [PMID: 35186730 PMCID: PMC8847181 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.781233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its acquisition of resistance to treatment become the research hotspots. As an important component of TME, the tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) regulate multiple critical oncogenic processes, namely, occurrence, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance in CRC. In this review, we have discussed the functional and therapeutic significance of TAMs in CRC. M1 macrophages act as the tumor suppressor while M2 macrophages promote CRC. The polarization of TAMs is mainly regulated by the pathways such as NFKB1 pathways, STAT3 pathways, WNT5A pathways, and PI3K pathways in CRC. Furthermore, the M2 polarization of TAMs is not only controllable but also reversible. Finally, we provide insights into the TAMs-targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenmei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahao Han
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochen Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinhong Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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35
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An R, Meng S, Qian H. Identification of Key Pathways and Establishment of a Seven-Gene Prognostic Signature in Cervical Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:4748796. [PMID: 35154316 PMCID: PMC8837458 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4748796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) remains high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify critical pathways underlying cervical carcinogenesis and establish a prognostic signature. Six datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database were used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC and normal tissues. We used the unions of the DEGs to perform functional analysis. The 108 overlapped DEGs were analyzed to determine a prognostic signature by Cox regression and Lasso analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) were used to determine the relationships between the signature and biological functions. The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the Ras signaling pathway, and the viral carcinogenesis pathway may be critical for CC development. We identified seven genes (PLOD2, DSG2, SPP1, CXCL8, MCM5, HLTF, and KLF4) to construct a risk score formula. Survival analysis showed that the high-risk group indicated a worse prognosis than the low-risk group (p < 0.0001). The AUC of the prognostic signature was 0.7449, 0.7641, and 0.8146 at 1, 3, and 5 years. We also identified that the signature is an independent prognostic factor. GSEA showed five pathways were relevant to the signature, such as the adherens junction pathway. The signature also affected the abundances of various types of immune cells, such as B cell, CD4+ T cell, and CD8+ T cell. Further, we found that SPP1 was co-expressed with HK3, CD163, CCL3, CLEC5A, MMP8, TREM1, OLR1, and TREM2. The results of Gene Ontology analysis showed that SPP1 and its co-expressed related proteins mainly affected metabolic process, multicellular organismal process, cell communication, cell proliferation, protein binding, and transporter activity. In conclusion, the present study explored the key pathways for CC development and the seven-gene signature can effectively make the prognosis evaluation of CC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran An
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Silu Meng
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hua Qian
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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36
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Heft Neal ME, Brenner JC, Prince MEP, Chinn SB. Advancement in Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Precision Medicine-Review Article Head and Neck Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:660210. [PMID: 35047489 PMCID: PMC8762309 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.660210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and Neck cancer survival has continued to remain around 50% despite treatment advances. It is thought that cancer stem cells play a key role in promoting tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance, metastasis, and recurrence in solid malignancies including head and neck cancer. Initial studies identified cancer stem cell markers including CD44 and ALDH in head and neck malignancies and found that these cells show aggressive features in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Recent evidence has now revealed a key role of the tumor microenvironment in maintaining a cancer stem cell niche and promoting cancer stem cell plasticity. There is an increasing focus on identifying and targeting the crosstalk between cancer stem cells and surrounding cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) as new therapeutic potential, however understanding how CSC maintain a stem-like state is critical to understanding how to therapeutically alter their function. Here we review the current evidence for cancer stem cell plasticity and discuss how interactions with the TME promote the cancer stem cell niche, increase tumor heterogeneity, and play a role in treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly E Heft Neal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - J Chad Brenner
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Mark E P Prince
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Steven B Chinn
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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37
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Nallasamy P, Nimmakayala RK, Karmakar S, Leon F, Seshacharyulu P, Lakshmanan I, Rachagani S, Mallya K, Zhang C, Ly QP, Myers MS, Josh L, Grabow CE, Gautam SK, Kumar S, Lele SM, Jain M, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment Factor Promotes Cancer Stemness via SPP1-CD44 Axis. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:1998-2013.e7. [PMID: 34418441 PMCID: PMC10069715 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Tumor-microenvironment factors and cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a critical role in the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer (PC). However, the degree to which tumor-microenvironment factors promote stemness remains unexplored. Here, we examined whether cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote CSC features in PC. METHODS PC cells were treated long-term (30, 60, and 90 days) with conditioned media (CM)-derived from normal human fibroblasts (NFs) and CAFs. The stemness features of tumorsphere formation and stemness populations, along with CSCs markers, were analyzed using 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional sodium alginate bead-based co-culture models. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were performed for CSCs and fibroblast markers in autochthonous KrasG12D/+; Trp53R172H/+; Pdx1-Cre mice and human pancreatic tumors. Polymerase chain reaction array and gene knockdown were performed to identify the mechanism of stemness enrichment. RESULTS Long-term treatment of PC cells with CAF-CM enriched stemness, as indicated by significantly higher CD44+, ALDH+, and AF+ populations in PC cells. Increased tumorsphere formation and elevated CSC, self-renewal, and drug-resistance markers in CAF-CM-treated PC cells were observed. In addition, CAFs co-cultured with PC cells in the 3-dimensional model showed a substantial increase in stemness features. CD44 and α-smooth muscle actin were positively correlated and their expressions progressively increased from the early to late stages of KrasG12D/+; Trp53R172H/+; Pdx1-Cre mouse and human pancreatic tumors. Osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein 1 was identified as the top differentially overexpressed gene in CAF-CM-treated PC cells and knockdown of osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein 1 significantly reduced stemness characteristics in CAF-CM-treated PC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data uncovered novel insight into the interplay between CAF and enrichment of stemness population through the osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein 1-CD44 axis in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Saswati Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Frank Leon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Parthasarathy Seshacharyulu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Imayavaramban Lakshmanan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Kavita Mallya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Chunmeng Zhang
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Quan P Ly
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Molly S Myers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Lindenberger Josh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Corinn E Grabow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Subodh M Lele
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
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38
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Stemness, Inflammation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Carcinoma: The Intricate Network. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312891. [PMID: 34884696 PMCID: PMC8658015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In global cancer statistics, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) ranks third by incidence and second by mortality, causing 10.0% of new cancer cases and 9.4% of oncological deaths worldwide. Despite the development of screening programs and preventive measures, there are still high numbers of advanced cases. Multiple problems compromise the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, one of these being cancer stem cells—a minor fraction of pluripotent, self-renewing malignant cells capable of maintaining steady, low proliferation and exhibiting an intriguing arsenal of treatment resistance mechanisms. Currently, there is an increasing body of evidence for intricate associations between inflammation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells. In this review, we focus on inflammation and its role in CRC stemness development through epithelial–mesenchymal transition.
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Wei J, Chen Z, Hu M, He Z, Jiang D, Long J, Du H. Characterizing Intercellular Communication of Pan-Cancer Reveals SPP1+ Tumor-Associated Macrophage Expanded in Hypoxia and Promoting Cancer Malignancy Through Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:749210. [PMID: 34676217 PMCID: PMC8523849 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.749210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a characteristic of tumor microenvironment (TME) and is a major contributor to tumor progression. Yet, subtype identification of tumor-associated non-malignant cells at single-cell resolution and how they influence cancer progression under hypoxia TME remain largely unexplored. Here, we used RNA-seq data of 424,194 single cells from 108 patients to identify the subtypes of cancer cells, stromal cells, and immune cells; to evaluate their hypoxia score; and also to uncover potential interaction signals between these cells in vivo across six cancer types. We identified SPP1+ tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) subpopulation potentially enhanced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by interaction with cancer cells through paracrine pattern. We prioritized SPP1 as a TAM-secreted factor to act on cancer cells and found a significant enhanced migration phenotype and invasion ability in A549 lung cancer cells induced by recombinant protein SPP1. Besides, prognostic analysis indicated that a higher expression of SPP1 was found to be related to worse clinical outcome in six cancer types. SPP1 expression was higher in hypoxia-high macrophages based on single-cell data, which was further validated by an in vitro experiment that SPP1 was upregulated in macrophages under hypoxia-cultured compared with normoxic conditions. Additionally, a differential analysis demonstrated that hypoxia potentially influences extracellular matrix remodeling, glycolysis, and interleukin-10 signal activation in various cancer types. Our work illuminates the clearer underlying mechanism in the intricate interaction between different cell subtypes within hypoxia TME and proposes the guidelines for the development of therapeutic targets specifically for patients with high proportion of SPP1+ TAMs in hypoxic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfen Wei
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zixi Chen
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiling Hu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqing He
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dawei Jiang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Long
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongli Du
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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40
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Lin J, Chen Z, Li Z, Nong D, Li X, Huang G, Hao N, Liang J, Li W. Screening of hub genes and evaluation of the growth regulatory role of CD44 in metastatic prostate cancer. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:196. [PMID: 34296309 PMCID: PMC8317150 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer type in men worldwide. Currently, the management of metastatic PCa (mPCa) remains a challenge to urologists. The analysis of hub genes and pathways may facilitate the understanding of the molecular mechanism of PCa. In the present study, to identify the hub genes in the mPCa, the three datasets GSE3325, GSE6919 and GSE38241 were downloaded from the platform of the Gene Expression Omnibus and function enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed. A total of 168 DEGs were obtained and the DEGs were significantly enriched in ‘cell junction’ and ‘cell adhesion’, among others. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that DEGs were enriched in three pathways including ‘focal adhesion’, ‘renal cell carcinoma’ and ‘Hippo signaling pathway’. The results of the protein-protein interaction network revealed that the hub genes in mPCa were separately PTEN, Rac GTPase-activating protein 1, protein regulator of cytokinesis 1, PDZ binding kinase, centromere-associated protein E, NUF2 component of NDC80 kinetochore complex, TPX2 microtubule nucleation factor, SOX2, CD44 and ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1. As a hub gene, CD44 was differentially expressed in PCa, as determined by Oncomine analysis. Further experiments in vivo demonstrated that SB-3CT, a selective matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor that has been reported to block CD44 cleavage and inhibit the downstream signaling pathway, suppressed the tumorigenicity of PCa cells by decreasing the expression levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 4. Moreover, the combination therapy with SB-3CT and docetaxel was more effective in inhibiting PCa compared with monotherapy. In conclusion, the identification of DEGs and the in vivo experimental results helped to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of PCa and provided a potential strategy for the treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Lin
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Zuan Li
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Deyong Nong
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Ximing Li
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Guihai Huang
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Nan Hao
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jianbo Liang
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
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Lu C, Liu Z, Klement JD, Yang D, Merting AD, Poschel D, Albers T, Waller JL, Shi H, Liu K. WDR5-H3K4me3 epigenetic axis regulates OPN expression to compensate PD-L1 function to promote pancreatic cancer immune escape. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e002624. [PMID: 34326167 PMCID: PMC8323468 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite PD-L1 (Programmed death receptor ligand-1) expression on tumor cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes tumor infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, human pancreatic cancer stands out as one of the human cancers that does not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy. Epigenome dysregulation has emerged as a major mechanism in T cell exhaustion and non-response to ICI immunotherapy, we, therefore, aimed at testing the hypothesis that an epigenetic mechanism compensates PD-L1 function to render pancreatic cancer non-response to ICI immunotherapy. METHODS Two orthotopic pancreatic tumor mouse models were used for chromatin immunoprecipitation-Seq and RNA-Seq to identify genome-wide dysregulation of H3K4me3 and gene expression. Human pancreatic tumor and serum were analyzed for osteopontin (OPN) protein level and for correlation with patient prognosis. OPN and PD-L1 cellular location were determined in the tumors using flow cytometry. The function of WDR5-H3K4me3 axis in OPN expression were determined by Western blotting. The function of H3K4me3-OPN axis in pancreatic cancer immune escape and response to ICI immunotherapy was determined in an orthotopic pancreatic tumor mouse model. RESULTS Mouse pancreatic tumors have a genome-wide increase in H3K4me3 deposition as compared with normal pancreas. OPN and its receptor CD44 were identified being upregulated in pancreatic tumors by their promoter H3K4me3 deposition. OPN protein is increased in both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in human pancreatic carcinoma and is inversely correlated with pancreatic cancer patient survival. OPN is primarily expressed in tumor cells and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs), whereas PD-L1 is expressed in tumor cells, M-MDSCs, polymorphonuclear MDSCs and tumor-associated macrophages. WDR5 is essential for H3K4me3-specific histone methyltransferase activity that regulates OPN expression in tumor cells and MDSCs. Inhibition of WDR5 significantly decreased OPN protein level. Inhibition of WDR5 or knocking out of OPN suppressed orthotopic mouse pancreatic tumor growth. Inhibition of WDR5 also significantly increased efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in suppression of mouse pancreatic tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS OPN compensates PD-L1 function to promote pancreatic cancer immune escape. Pharmacological inhibition of the WDR5-H3K4me3 epigenetic axis is effective in suppressing pancreatic tumor immune escape and in improving efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunwan Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuoqi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - John D Klement
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dafeng Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alyssa D Merting
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dakota Poschel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thomas Albers
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer L Waller
- Department of Population Health Science, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Huidong Shi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kebin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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Larionova I, Kazakova E, Gerashchenko T, Kzhyshkowska J. New Angiogenic Regulators Produced by TAMs: Perspective for Targeting Tumor Angiogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133253. [PMID: 34209679 PMCID: PMC8268686 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Since the targeting of a single pro-angiogenic factor fails to improve oncological disease outcome, significant efforts have been made to identify new pro-angiogenic factors that could compensate for the deficiency of current therapy or act independently as single drugs. Our review aims to present the state-of-the art for well-known and recently described factors produced by macrophages that induce and regulate angiogenesis. A number of positive and negative regulators of angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment are produced by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Accumulating evidence has indicated that, apart from the well-known angiogenic factors, there are plenty of novel angiogenesis-regulating proteins that belong to different classes. We summarize the data regarding the direct or indirect mechanisms of the interaction of these factors with endothelial cells during angiogenesis. We highlight the recent findings that explain the limitations in the efficiency of current anti-angiogenic therapy approaches. Abstract Angiogenesis is crucial to the supply of a growing tumor with nutrition and oxygen. Inhibition of angiogenesis is one of the main treatment strategies for colorectal, lung, breast, renal, and other solid cancers. However, currently applied drugs that target VEGF or receptor tyrosine kinases have limited efficiency, which raises a question concerning the mechanism of patient resistance to the already developed drugs. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were identified in the animal tumor models as a key inducer of the angiogenic switch. TAMs represent a potent source not only for VEGF, but also for a number of other pro-angiogenic factors. Our review provides information about the activity of secreted regulators of angiogenesis produced by TAMs. They include members of SEMA and S100A families, chitinase-like proteins, osteopontin, and SPARC. The COX-2, Tie2, and other factors that control the pro-angiogenic activity of TAMs are also discussed. We highlight how these recent findings explain the limitations in the efficiency of current anti-angiogenic therapy. Additionally, we describe genetic and posttranscriptional mechanisms that control the expression of factors regulating angiogenesis. Finally, we present prospects for the complex targeting of the pro-angiogenic activity of TAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Larionova
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, National Research Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia;
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634009 Tomsk, Russia;
- Correspondence: (I.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Elena Kazakova
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, National Research Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia;
| | - Tatiana Gerashchenko
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634009 Tomsk, Russia;
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, National Research Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia;
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg—Hessen, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Correspondence: (I.L.); (J.K.)
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Zheng X, Yu C, Xu M. Linking Tumor Microenvironment to Plasticity of Cancer Stem Cells: Mechanisms and Application in Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:678333. [PMID: 34262865 PMCID: PMC8273276 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.678333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a minority subset of cancer cells that can drive tumor initiation, promote tumor progression, and induce drug resistance. CSCs are difficult to eliminate by conventional therapies and eventually mediate tumor relapse and metastasis. Moreover, recent studies have shown that CSCs display plasticity that renders them to alter their phenotype and function. Consequently, the varied phenotypes result in varied tumorigenesis, dissemination, and drug-resistance potential, thereby adding to the complexity of tumor heterogeneity and further challenging clinical management of cancers. In recent years, tumor microenvironment (TME) has become a hotspot in cancer research owing to its successful application in clinical tumor immunotherapy. Notably, emerging evidence shows that the TME is involved in regulating CSC plasticity. TME can activate stemness pathways and promote immune escape through cytokines and exosomes secreted by immune cells or stromal cells, thereby inducing non-CSCs to acquire CSC properties and increasing CSC plasticity. However, the relationship between TME and plasticity of CSCs remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the emerging investigations on TME and CSC plasticity to illustrate the underlying mechanisms and potential implications in suppressing cancer progression and drug resistance. We consider that this review can help develop novel therapeutic strategies by taking into account the interlink between TME and CSC plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Zheng
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chune Yu
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingqing Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Meishan, China
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Klement JD, Poschel DB, Lu C, Merting AD, Yang D, Redd PS, Liu K. Osteopontin Blockade Immunotherapy Increases Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Lytic Activity and Suppresses Colon Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051006. [PMID: 33670921 PMCID: PMC7957528 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite the breakthrough in human cancer immunotherapy, colorectal cancer, except for the small subset of microsatellite instable colorectal cancer (MSI, ~4% total cases), is one of the few human cancers that does not respond to current immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy. CTLs are present in both MSI and microsatellite stable (MSS) human colon carcinoma, suggesting that PD-L1-independent mechanisms may exist and suppress CTL activation in the colon tumor microenvironment. We determined that osteopontin (OPN) inhibits tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) lytic activity to promote colon tumor growth in vivo. Accordingly, OPN blockade immunotherapy using OPN neutralization monoclonal antibodies 100D3 and 103D6 suppressed colon tumor growth in vivo. Our findings indicate that 100D3 and 103D6 has the potential to be further developed for colorectal cancer immunotherapy. Abstract Human colorectal cancers are mostly microsatellite-stable with no response to anti-PD-1 blockade immunotherapy, necessitating the development of a new immunotherapy. Osteopontin (OPN) is elevated in human colorectal cancer and may function as an immune checkpoint. We aimed at elucidating the mechanism of action of OPN and determining the efficacy of OPN blockade immunotherapy in suppression of colon cancer. We report here that OPN is primarily expressed in tumor cells, myeloid cells, and innate lymphoid cells in human colorectal carcinoma. Spp1 knock out mice exhibit a high incidence and fast growth rate of carcinogen-induced tumors. Knocking out Spp1 in colon tumor cells increased tumor-specific CTL cytotoxicity in vitro and resulted in decreased tumor growth in vivo. The OPN protein level is elevated in the peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice. We developed four OPN neutralization monoclonal antibodies based on their efficacy in blocking OPN inhibition of T cell activation. OPN clones 100D3 and 103D6 increased the efficacy of tumor-specific CTLs in killing colon tumor cells in vitro and suppressed colon tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Our data indicate that OPN blockade immunotherapy with 100D3 and 103D6 has great potential to be further developed for colorectal cancer immunotherapy and for rendering a colorectal cancer response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Klement
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (J.D.K.); (D.B.P.); (A.D.M.); (D.Y.); (P.S.R.)
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
| | - Dakota B. Poschel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (J.D.K.); (D.B.P.); (A.D.M.); (D.Y.); (P.S.R.)
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
| | - Chunwan Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
| | - Alyssa D. Merting
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (J.D.K.); (D.B.P.); (A.D.M.); (D.Y.); (P.S.R.)
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
| | - Dafeng Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (J.D.K.); (D.B.P.); (A.D.M.); (D.Y.); (P.S.R.)
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
| | - Priscilla S. Redd
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (J.D.K.); (D.B.P.); (A.D.M.); (D.Y.); (P.S.R.)
- Chemedimmune Inc., Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Kebin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (J.D.K.); (D.B.P.); (A.D.M.); (D.Y.); (P.S.R.)
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-706-721-9483
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Deligne C, Midwood KS. Macrophages and Extracellular Matrix in Breast Cancer: Partners in Crime or Protective Allies? Front Oncol 2021; 11:620773. [PMID: 33718177 PMCID: PMC7943718 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.620773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid cancers such as breast tumors comprise a collection of tumor, stromal and immune cells, embedded within a network of tumor-specific extracellular matrix. This matrix is associated with tumor aggression, treatment failure, chemo- and radio-resistance, poor survival and metastasis. Recent data report an immunomodulatory role for the matrix in cancer, via the creation of niches that control the migration, localization, phenotype and function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, ultimately contributing to escape of immune surveillance. Macrophages are crucial components of the immune infiltrate in tumors; they are associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer and contribute to shaping the anti-tumor immune response. We and others have described how matrix molecules commonly upregulated within the tumor stroma, such as tenascin-C, fibronectin and collagen, exert a complex influence over macrophage behavior, for example restricting or enhancing their infiltration into the tumor, and driving their polarization towards or away from a pro-tumoral phenotype, and how in turn macrophages can modify matrix production in the tumor to favor tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting specific domains of matrix molecules to reinstate an efficient anti-tumor immune response, and effectively control tumor growth and spread, is emerging as a promising field offering a new angle for cancer therapy. Here, we review current knowledge on the interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and matrix molecules that occur within the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer, and discuss how these pathways can be targeted for new immunotherapies for hard to treat, desmoplastic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Deligne
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kim S Midwood
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Du L, Cheng Q, Zheng H, Liu J, Liu L, Chen Q. Targeting stemness of cancer stem cells to fight colorectal cancers. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 82:150-161. [PMID: 33631296 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer initiating/ stem cells (CSCs) undergo self-renewal and differentiation that contributes to tumor initiation, recurrence and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Targeting of colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) holds significant promise in eradicating cancer cells and ultimately curing patients with cancer. In this review, we will introduce the current progress of CCSC studies, including the specific surface markers of CCSCs, the intrinsic signaling pathways that regulate the stemness and differentiation characteristics of CCSCs, and the tumor organoid model for CCSC research. We will focus on how these studies will lead to the progress in targeting specific surface markers or signaling pathways on CCSCs by monoclonal antibodies, or by natural or synthetic compounds, or by immunotherapy. As CSCs are highly heterogeneous and plastic, we suggest that combinatory approaches that target the stemness network may represent an important strategy for eradicating cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Qi Cheng
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; The Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lei Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Quan Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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Butti R, Kumar TVS, Nimma R, Banerjee P, Kundu IG, Kundu GC. Osteopontin Signaling in Shaping Tumor Microenvironment Conducive to Malignant Progression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1329:419-441. [PMID: 34664250 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-73119-9_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Context-dependent reciprocal crosstalk between cancer and surrounding stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment is imperative for the regulation of various hallmarks of cancer. A myriad of growth factors, chemokines, and their receptors aids in the interaction between cancer cells and tumor microenvironmental components. Osteopontin is a chemokine-like protein, overexpressed in different types of cancers. Osteopontin plays a crucial role in orchestrating dialogue between cancer and stromal cells. Osteopontin, in tumor microenvironment, is produced in tumor as well as stromal cells. Tumor-derived osteopontin regulates proliferation, migration, activation, and differentiation of different types of stromal cells. Osteopontin secreted from tumor cells regulates the generation of cancer-associated fibroblasts from resident fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells. Osteopontin also shapes immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by controlling regulatory T cells and tumor-associated macrophages. Moreover, secretion of osteopontin from tumor stroma has been highly documented. Stromal cell-derived osteopontin induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, metastasis, and cancer stem cell enrichment. Tumor- or stroma-derived osteopontin mainly functions through binding with cell surface receptors, integrins and CD44, and activates downstream signaling events like PI-3 kinase/Akt and MAPK pathways. Presumably, disrupting the communication between the tumor cells and surrounding microenvironment by targeting osteopontin-regulated signaling using specific antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, and chemotherapeutic agents is a novel therapeutic strategy for clinical management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Butti
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Totakura V S Kumar
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Ramakrishna Nimma
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Pinaki Banerjee
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Ipsita G Kundu
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Institute of Eminence, Hyderabad, India
| | - Gopal C Kundu
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India. .,School of Biotechnology and Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT Deemed to be University, Institute of Eminence, Bhubaneswar, India.
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Singh N, Mishra A, Sahu DK, Jain M, Shyam H, Tripathi RK, Shankar P, Kumar A, Alam N, Jaiswal R, Kumar S. Comprehensive Characterization of Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:11973-11988. [PMID: 33244273 PMCID: PMC7685366 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s279974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Heterogeneity of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) among patients is currently not well studied. Pathologic markers and staging systems have not been a precise predictor of the prognosis of an individual patient. Hence, we hypothesize to develop a transcript-based signature to categorize stage IIIA-NSCLC in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), plus identify markers that could indicate the prognosis of the disease. Methods Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 (HTA) and NanoString nCounter® platform were used for high-throughput gene-expression profiling. Initially, we profiled stage IIIA-NSCLC through HTA and validated through NanoString. Additionally, two metastatic markers SPP1 and CDH2 were validated in 47 NSCLC stage IIIA samples through real-time PCR. Results We observed distinct gene clusters in LUAD and LUSC with down-regulation of six genes and up-regulation of 57 genes through HTA. Ninety-six transcripts were randomly selected after analyzing HTA data and validated on the NanoString platform. We found 40 differentially expressed transcripts that categorized NSCLC into LUAD and LUSC. SPP1 is significantly overexpressed (4.311±1.27 fold in LUAD and 13.41±3.82 fold in LUSC compared to control), and the CDH2 transcript was significantly overexpressed (11.53 ± 4.027-fold compared to control) only in LUSC. Discussion These markers enable us to categorize stage IIIA NSCLC into LUAD and LUSC plus these markers may be helpful to understand the pathophysiology of NSCLC. However, more data required to make these findings useful in general clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neetu Singh
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Archana Mishra
- Department of Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar Sahu
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Mayank Jain
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Hari Shyam
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Ratnesh Kumar Tripathi
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Pratap Shankar
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Nawazish Alam
- Department of Centre for Advanced Research, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Riddhi Jaiswal
- Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Shailendra Kumar
- Department of Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
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Osteopontin: A Key Regulator of Tumor Progression and Immunomodulation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113379. [PMID: 33203146 PMCID: PMC7698217 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4-based immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy have recently emerged as a breakthrough in human cancer treatment. Durable efficacy has been achieved in many types of human cancers. However, not all human cancers respond to current ICB immunotherapy and only a fraction of the responsive cancers exhibit efficacy. Osteopontin (OPN) expression is highly elevated in human cancers and functions as a tumor promoter. Emerging data suggest that OPN may also regulate immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment. This review aims at OPN function in human cancer progression and new findings of OPN as a new immune checkpoint. We propose that OPN compensates PD-L1 function to promote tumor immune evasion, which may underlie human cancer non-response to current ICB immunotherapy. Abstract OPN is a multifunctional phosphoglycoprotein expressed in a wide range of cells, including osteoclasts, osteoblasts, neurons, epithelial cells, T, B, NK, NK T, myeloid, and innate lymphoid cells. OPN plays an important role in diverse biological processes and is implicated in multiple diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, kidney, proinflammatory, fibrosis, nephrolithiasis, wound healing, and cancer. In cancer patients, overexpressed OPN is often detected in the tumor microenvironment and elevated serum OPN level is correlated with poor prognosis. Initially identified in activated T cells and termed as early T cell activation gene, OPN links innate cells to adaptive cells in immune response to infection and cancer. Recent single cell RNA sequencing revealed that OPN is primarily expressed in tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells in human cancer patients. Emerging experimental data reveal a key role of OPN is tumor immune evasion through regulating macrophage polarization, recruitment, and inhibition of T cell activation in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, in addition to its well-established direct tumor cell promotion function, OPN also acts as an immune checkpoint to negatively regulate T cell activation. The OPN protein level is highly elevated in peripheral blood of human cancer patients. OPN blockade immunotherapy with OPN neutralization monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) thus represents an attractive approach in human cancer immunotherapy.
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Xu C, Yuan Q, Wang W, Chi C, Zhang Q, Li L, Yang R, Wang Y. Prognostic significance of serum osteopontin levels in small cell lung cancer. BMC Pulm Med 2020; 20:235. [PMID: 32873264 PMCID: PMC7466423 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-020-01242-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteopontin (OPN) is closely related to tumor occurrence and metastasis. This study explored the clinical value of serum OPN levels in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. METHODS The ELISA method was used to determine the OPN level of 96 SCLC patients before and after first-line chemotherapy, and compared with 60 healthy controls. RESULTS The serum OPN level of SCLC patients before treatment was significantly higher than that of the healthy control (P < 0.001). Serum OPN levels were related to disease stage, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012, 0.034, and 0.037, respectively). Serum OPN level decreased after first-line chemotherapy (P = 0.019), which was related to treatment response (P = 0.011). The serum OPN level was an independent predictor of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS The serum OPN level can be used as a biomarker to predict treatment response and survival of SCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China. .,The Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Qi Yuan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.,The Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.,The Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuanzhen Chi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.,The Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.,The Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.,The Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rusong Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yuchao Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.,The Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
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