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Axemaker H, Plesselova S, Calar K, Jorgensen M, Wollman J, de la Puente P. Reprogramming of normal fibroblasts into ovarian cancer-associated fibroblasts via non-vesicular paracrine signaling induces an activated fibroblast phenotype. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119801. [PMID: 39038611 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key contributors to ovarian cancer (OC) progression and therapeutic resistance through dysregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). CAFs are a heterogenous population derived from different cell types through activation and reprogramming. Current studies rely on uncharacterized heterogenous primary CAFs or normal fibroblasts that fail to recapitulate CAF-like tumor behavior. Here, we present that conditioned media from ovarian cancer lines leads to an increase in the activated state of fibroblasts demonstrated by functional assays and up-regulation of known CAF-related genes and ECM pathways. Phenotypic and functional characterization demonstrated that the conditioned CAFs expressed a CAF-like phenotype, strengthened proliferation, secretory, contractility, and ECM remodeling properties when compared to resting normal fibroblasts, consistent with an activated fibroblast status. Moreover, conditioned CAFs significantly enhanced drug resistance and tumor progression. Critically, the conditioned CAFs resemble a transcriptional signature with involvement of ECM remodeling. The present study provides mechanistic and functional insights about the activation and reprogramming of CAFs in the ovarian tumor microenvironment mediated by non-vesicular paracrine signaling. Moreover, it provides a translational based approach to reprogram normal fibroblasts from both uterine and ovarian origin into CAFs using tumor-derived conditioned media. Using these resources, further development of therapeutics that possess potentiality and specificity towards CAF/ECM-mediated chemoresistance in OC are further warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey Axemaker
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Simona Plesselova
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Kristin Calar
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Megan Jorgensen
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Jared Wollman
- Flow Cytometry Core, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Pilar de la Puente
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; Flow Cytometry Core, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA; Department of Surgery, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA.
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Guo T, Xu J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: a versatile mediator in tumor progression, metastasis, and targeted therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:1095-1116. [PMID: 38602594 PMCID: PMC11300527 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component of TME and exhibit heterogeneous properties in their communication with tumor cells. This heterogeneity of CAFs can be attributed to various origins, including quiescent fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipocytes, pericytes, endothelial cells, and mesothelial cells. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing has identified diverse phenotypes of CAFs, with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) being the most acknowledged, alongside newly discovered subtypes like antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs). Due to these heterogeneities, CAFs exert multiple functions in tumorigenesis, cancer stemness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, metabolism, and metastasis. As a result, targeted therapies aimed at the TME, particularly focusing on CAFs, are rapidly developing, fueling the promising future of advanced tumor-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchen Guo
- Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfen Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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Li P, Zhang H, Chen T, Zhou Y, Yang J, Zhou J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis and immunosuppression in gastric cancer. Matrix Biol 2024; 132:59-71. [PMID: 38936680 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.06.004] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, the mortality rate for gastric cancer remains one of the highest in the world. A large body of evidence has demonstrated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as core members of the stroma, can secrete cytokines, proteins and exosomes to create a tumour microenvironment that is conducive to cancer cell survival. CAFs can also interact with cancer cells to form a complex signalling network, enabling cancer cells to more easily metastasise to other organs and tissues in the body and develop metastatic foci. In this review, we provide an overview of the CAFs concept and activators. We focus on elucidating their effects on immune cells, intratumoural vasculature, extracellular matrix, as well as cancer cell activity, metastatic power and metabolism, and on enhancing the metastatic ability of cancer cells through activation of JAK/STAT, NF/κB and CXCL12/CXCR4. Various therapeutic agents targeting CAFs are also under development and are expected to improve the prognosis of gastric cancer in combination with existing treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyuan Li
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yajing Zhou
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jiaoyang Yang
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
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Yu X, Zhang Y, Luo F, Zhou Q, Zhu L. The role of microRNAs in the gastric cancer tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:170. [PMID: 39164671 PMCID: PMC11334576 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02084-x] [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: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the deadliest malignant tumors with unknown pathogenesis. Due to its treatment resistance, high recurrence rate, and lack of reliable early detection techniques, a majority of patients have a poor prognosis. Therefore, identifying new tumor biomarkers and therapeutic targets is essential. This review aims to provide fresh insights into enhancing the prognosis of patients with GC by summarizing the processes through which microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and highlighting their critical role in the TME. MAIN TEXT A comprehensive literature review was conducted by focusing on the interactions among tumor cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells within the GC TME. The role of noncoding RNAs, known as miRNAs, in modulating the TME through various signaling pathways, cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes was specifically examined. Tumor formation, metastasis, and therapy in GC are significantly influenced by interactions within the TME. miRNAs regulate tumor progression by modulating these interactions through multiple signaling pathways, cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes. Dysregulation of miRNAs affects critical cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and treatment resistance, contributing to the pathogenesis of GC. CONCLUSIONS miRNAs play a crucial role in the regulation of the GC TME, influencing tumor progression and patient prognosis. By understanding the mechanisms through which miRNAs control the TME, potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets can be identified to improve the prognosis of patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhe Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Cancer Center, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
- Lung Cancer Center/Lung Cancer Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Sichuan Province, No. 10 Qinyun Nan Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Fengming Luo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Qinghua Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Cancer Center, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
- Lung Cancer Center/Lung Cancer Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lingling Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Cancer Center, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
- Lung Cancer Center/Lung Cancer Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Qiu Y, Chen Y, Shen H, Yan S, Li J, Wu W. Naples Prognostic Score: A Novel Predictor of Survival in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:5253-5269. [PMID: 39135978 PMCID: PMC11318610 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s472917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study investigated the correlation between the Naples prognostic score (NPS), clinicopathological traits, and the postoperative prognoses of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Based on NPS, a predictive nomogram was developed to estimate the long-term survival probabilities of patients with TNBC post-surgery. Patients and Methods We retrospectively examined the clinical records of 223 women with TNBC treated at Ningbo Medical Center, Lihuili Hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020. Blood tests and biochemical analyses were conducted before surgery. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), controlling nutritional status (CONUT), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and NPS were determined based on blood-related markers. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis assessed the association between NPS, PNI, CONUT score, overall survival (OS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS). Predictive accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and C index. The patients were randomly divided into the training and the validation group (6:4 ratio). A nomogram prediction model was developed and evaluated using the R Software for Statistical Computing (RMS) package. Results NPS outperformed other scores in predicting inflammation outcomes. Patients with an elevated NPS had a poorer prognosis (P<0.001). Lymph node ratio (LNR), surgical method, postoperative chemotherapy, and NPS independently predicted OS, whereas M stage, LNR, and NPS independently predicted BCSS outcome. The OS and BCSS predicted by the nomogram model aligned well with the actual OS and BCSS. The decision curve analysis showed significant clinical utility for the nomogram model. Conclusion In this study, NPS was an important prognostic indicator for patients with TNBC. The nomogram prognostic model based on NPS outperformed other prognostic scores for predicting patient prognosis. The model demonstrated a clear stratification ability for patient prognosis, which emphasized the potential benefits of early intervention for high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Qiu
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People’s Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Chen
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People’s Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haoyang Shen
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People’s Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuixin Yan
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People’s Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiadi Li
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People’s Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weizhu Wu
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People’s Republic of China
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Wang X, Yang Y, Zhao S, Wu D, Li L, Zhao Z. Chitosan-based biomaterial delivery strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1446030. [PMID: 39161903 PMCID: PMC11330802 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1446030] [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: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 80% of primary liver cancers, is the most common primary liver malignancy. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of tumor-related deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 18%. Chemotherapy, although commonly used for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, is limited by systemic toxicity and drug resistance. Improving targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to tumor cells without causing systemic side effects is a current research focus. Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin, possesses good biocompatibility and biodegradability, making it suitable for drug delivery. Enhanced chitosan formulations retain the anti-tumor properties while improving stability. Chitosan-based biomaterials promote hepatocellular carcinoma apoptosis, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, inhibit tumor angiogenesis, and improve extracellular matrix remodeling for enhanced anti-tumor therapy. Methods We summarized published experimental papers by querying them. Results and Conclusions This review discusses the physicochemical properties of chitosan, its application in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, and the challenges faced by chitosan-based biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianling Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Endoscopy Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Di Wu
- First Digestive Endoscopy Department, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Le Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhifeng Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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7
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Kang K, Lin X, Chen P, Liu H, Liu F, Xiong W, Li G, Yi M, Li X, Wang H, Xiang B. T cell exhaustion in human cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189162. [PMID: 39089484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
T cell exhaustion refers to a progressive state in which T cells become functionally impaired due to sustained antigenic stimulation, which is characterized by increased expression of immune inhibitory receptors, but weakened effector functions, reduced self-renewal capacity, altered epigenetics, transcriptional programme and metabolism. T cell exhaustion is one of the major causes leading to immune escape of cancer, creating an environment that supports tumor development and metastatic spread. In addition, T cell exhaustion plays a pivotal role to the efficacy of current immunotherapies for cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of roles of T cell exhaustion in cancer development and progression. We summerized the regulatory mechanisms that involved in T cell exhaustion, including transcription factors, epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming events, and various microenvironmental factors such as cytokines, microorganisms, and tumor autocrine substances. The paper also discussed the challenges posed by T cell exhaustion to cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, highlightsing the obstacles encountered in ICB therapies and CAR-T therapies due to T cell exhaustion. Finally, the article provides an overview of current therapeutic options aimed to reversing or alleviating T cell exhaustion in ICB and CAR-T therapies. These therapeutic approaches seek to overcome T cell exhaustion and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Kang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Huai Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Mei Yi
- Department of Dermatology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xiayu Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Infammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Bo Xiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
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Li E, Cheung HCZ, Ma S. CTHRC1 + fibroblasts and SPP1 + macrophages synergistically contribute to pro-tumorigenic tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17412. [PMID: 39075108 PMCID: PMC11286765 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68109-z] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely lethal cancer that accounts for over 90% of all pancreatic cancer cases. With a 5-year survival rate of only 13%, PDAC has proven to be extremely desmoplastic and immunosuppressive to most current therapies, including chemotherapy and surgical resection. In recent years, focus has shifted to understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) around PDAC, enabling a greater understanding of biological pathways and intercellular interactions that can ultimately lead to potential for future drug targets. In this study, we leverage a combination of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to further identify cellular populations and interactions within the highly heterogeneous TME. We demonstrate that SPP1+APOE+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and CTHRC1+GREM1+ cancer-associated myofibroblasts (myCAF) not only act synergistically to promote an immune-suppressive TME through active extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), but are spatially colocalized and correlated, leading to worse prognosis. Our results highlight the crosstalk between stromal and myeloid cells as a significant area of study for future therapeutic targets to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Li
- Worcester Academy, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | | | - Shuangge Ma
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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9
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Abal-Sanisidro M, De Luca M, Roma S, Ceraolo MG, de la Fuente M, De Monte L, Protti MP. Anakinra-Loaded Sphingomyelin Nanosystems Modulate In Vitro IL-1-Dependent Pro-Tumor Inflammation in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8085. [PMID: 39125655 PMCID: PMC11312284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive disease with a dismal prognosis. The tumor microenvironment exerts immunosuppressive activities through the secretion of several cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1. The IL-1/IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) axis is a key regulator in tumor-promoting T helper (Th)2- and Th17-type inflammation. Th2 cells are differentiated by dendritic cells endowed with Th2-polarizing capability by the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) that is secreted by IL-1-activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Th17 cells are differentiated in the presence of IL-1 and other IL-1-regulated cytokines. In pancreatic cancer, the use of a recombinant IL-1R antagonist (IL1RA, anakinra, ANK) in in vitro and in vivo models has shown efficacy in targeting the IL-1/IL-1R pathway. In this study, we have developed sphingomyelin nanosystems (SNs) loaded with ANK (ANK-SNs) to compare their ability to inhibit Th2- and Th17-type inflammation with that of the free drug in vitro. We found that ANK-SNs inhibited TSLP and other pro-tumor cytokines released by CAFs at levels similar to ANK. Importantly, inhibition of IL-17 secretion by Th17 cells, but not of interferon-γ, was significantly higher, and at lower concentrations, with ANK-SNs compared to ANK. Collectively, the use of ANK-SNs might be beneficial in reducing the effective dose of the drug and its toxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelina Abal-Sanisidro
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Michele De Luca
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Roma
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Ceraolo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria de la Fuente
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., Edificio Emprendia, Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lucia De Monte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Protti
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.D.L.); (S.R.); (M.G.C.); (L.D.M.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
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10
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Eskandari-Malayeri F, Rezeai M, Narimani T, Esmaeil N, Azizi M. Investigating the effect of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the aggressive behavior of cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:292. [PMID: 39030445 PMCID: PMC11264641 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01156-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Fusobacterium nucleatum, (F. nucleatum) as a known factor in inducing oncogenic, invasive, and inflammatory responses, can lead to an increase in the incidence and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are also one of the key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which lead to resistance to treatment, metastasis, and disease recurrence with their markers, secretions, and functions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of F. nucleatum on the invasive phenotype and function of fibroblast cells isolated from normal and cancerous colorectal tissue. F. nucleatum bacteria were isolated from deep periodontal pockets and confirmed by various tests. CAF cells from tumor tissue and normal fibroblasts (NF) from a distance of 10 cm of tumor tissue were isolated from 5 patients by the explant method and were exposed to secretions and ghosts of F. nucleatum. The expression level of two markers, fibroblast activation protein (FAP), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and the amount of production of two cytokines TGF-β and IL-6 from fibroblast cells were measured by flow cytometry and ELISA test, respectively before and after exposure to different bacterial components. The expression of the FAP marker was significantly higher in CAF cells compared to NF cells (P < 0.05). Also, the expression of IL-6 in CAF cells was higher than that of NF cells. In investigating the effect of bacterial components on the function of fibroblastic cells, after comparing the amount of IL-6 produced between the normal tissue of each patient and his tumoral tissue under 4 treated conditions, it was found that the amount of IL-6 production from the CAF cells of patients in the control group, treated with heat-killed ghosts and treated with paraformaldehyde-fixed ghosts had a significant increase compared to NF cells (P < 0.05). Due to the significant increase in FAP marker expression in fibroblast cells of tumor tissue compared to normal tissue, it seems that FAP can be used as a very good therapeutic marker, especially in patients with high levels of CAF cells. Various components of F. nucleatum could affect fibroblast cells differentially and at least part of the effect of this bacterium in the TME is mediated by CAF cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marzieh Rezeai
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Tahmineh Narimani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Esmaeil
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Azizi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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11
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Arteaga-Blanco LA, Evans AE, Dixon DA. Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Non-Extracellular Vesicle Components from APC Min/+ Mice Promote Pro-Tumorigenic Activities and Activate Human Colonic Fibroblasts via the NF-κB Signaling Pathway. Cells 2024; 13:1195. [PMID: 39056778 PMCID: PMC11274984 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141195] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide. Current studies have demonstrated that tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different cancer cell types modulate the fibroblast microenvironment to contribute to cancer development and progression. Here, we isolated and characterized circulating large EVs (LEVs), small EVs (SEVs) and non-EV entities released in the plasma from wild-type (WT) mice and the APCMin/+ CRC mice model. Our results showed that human colon fibroblasts exposed from APC-EVs, but not from WT-EVs, exhibited the phenotypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) through EV-mediated NF-κB pathway activation. Cytokine array analysis on secreted proteins revealed elevated levels of inflammatory cytokine implicated in cancer growth and metastasis. Finally, non-activated cells co-cultured with supernatant from fibroblasts treated with APC-EVs showed increased mRNA expressions of CAFs markers, the ECM, inflammatory cytokines, as well as the expression of genes controlled by NF-κB. Altogether, our work suggests that EVs and non-EV components from APCMin/+ mice are endowed with pro-tumorigenic activities and promoted inflammation and a CAF-like state by triggering NF-κB signaling in fibroblasts to support CRC growth and progression. These findings provide insight into the interaction between plasma-derived EVs and human cells and can be used to design new CRC diagnosis and prognosis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew E. Evans
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Dan A. Dixon
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- University of Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
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12
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Zhao Q, Shao H, Zhang T. Single-cell RNA sequencing in ovarian cancer: revealing new perspectives in the tumor microenvironment. Am J Transl Res 2024; 16:3338-3354. [PMID: 39114691 PMCID: PMC11301471 DOI: 10.62347/smsg9047] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing technology has emerged as a pivotal tool for unraveling the complexities of the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME), which is characterized by its cellular heterogeneity and intricate cell-to-cell interactions. Ovarian cancer (OC), known for its high lethality among gynecologic malignancies, presents significant challenges in treatment and diagnosis, partly due to the complexity of its TME. The application of single-cell sequencing in ovarian cancer research has enabled the detailed characterization of gene expression profiles at the single-cell level, shedding light on the diverse cell populations within the TME, including cancer cells, stromal cells, and immune cells. This high-resolution mapping has been instrumental in understanding the roles of these cells in tumor progression, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. By providing insight into the signaling pathways and cell-to-cell communication mechanisms, single-cell sequencing facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of personalized medicine approaches. This review summarizes the advancement and application of single-cell sequencing in studying the stromal components and the broader TME in OC, highlighting its implications for improving diagnosis, treatment strategies, and understanding of the disease's underlying biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiannan Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yantaishan HospitalYantai 264003, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Huaming Shao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Qingdao West Coast Second HospitalQingdao 266500, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Tianmei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Yantaishan HospitalYantai 264003, Shandong, P. R. China
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13
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Chen C, Han P, Qing Y. Metabolic heterogeneity in tumor microenvironment - A novel landmark for immunotherapy. Autoimmun Rev 2024:103579. [PMID: 39004158 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2024.103579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The surrounding non-cancer cells and tumor cells that make up the tumor microenvironment (TME) have various metabolic rhythms. TME metabolic heterogeneity is influenced by the intricate network of metabolic control within and between cells. DNA, protein, transport, and microbial levels are important regulators of TME metabolic homeostasis. The effectiveness of immunotherapy is also closely correlated with alterations in TME metabolism. The response of a tumor patient to immunotherapy is influenced by a variety of variables, including intracellular metabolic reprogramming, metabolic interaction between cells, ecological changes within and between tumors, and general dietary preferences. Although immunotherapy and targeted therapy have made great strides, their use in the accurate identification and treatment of tumors still has several limitations. The function of TME metabolic heterogeneity in tumor immunotherapy is summarized in this article. It focuses on how metabolic heterogeneity develops and is regulated as a tumor progresses, the precise molecular mechanisms and potential clinical significance of imbalances in intracellular metabolic homeostasis and intercellular metabolic coupling and interaction, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of targeted metabolism used in conjunction with immunotherapy. This offers insightful knowledge and important implications for individualized tumor patient diagnosis and treatment plans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peng Han
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Yanping Qing
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China.
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14
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Gong W, Zhou J, Hou Y, Zhang J, He P, Yu Q. The causal relationship between immune cells mediating FIT3L, CCL4, OSM, and skin-derived deteriorated tumors. Skin Res Technol 2024; 30:e13774. [PMID: 38953214 PMCID: PMC11217673 DOI: 10.1111/srt.13774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Observational studies have identified a dual effect of circulating inflammatory proteins and immune cells on cancer progression. However, the specific mechanisms of action have not been clarified in the exacerbation of cutaneous-origin tumors. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory factors and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous malignant melanoma (SKCM), and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is regulated by immune cells. METHODS This study employed the Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization (TSMR) approach to investigate the causal relationships between 91 circulating inflammatory factors and three prevalent types of skin cancer from a genetic perspective. Bayesian Weighted Mendelian Randomization (BWMR) was also used to validate correlation and reverse MR to assess inverse relationships. Subsequent sensitivity analyses were conducted to limit the impact of heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Finally, the two-step Mendelian Randomization (two-step MR) method was utilized to ascertain the mediating effects of specific immune cell traits in the causal pathways linking circulating inflammatory factors with BCC, SKCM, and cSCC. RESULTS The Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method and the Bayesian Weighted Algorithm collectively identified nine inflammatory factors causally associated with BCC, SKCM, and cSCC. The results from Cochran's Q test, mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO), and MR-Egger intercept were not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Additionally, the proportions mediated by CD4+ CD8dim T cell %leukocyte, CD4-CD8-Natural Killer T %T cell, and CD20 on IgD-CD38-B cell for FIt3L, CCL4, and OSM were 9.26%, 8.96%, and 10.16%, respectively. CONCLUSION Immune cell levels potentially play a role in the modulation process between circulating inflammatory proteins and cutaneous-origin exacerbated tumors. This finding offers a new perspective for the in-depth exploration of cutaneous malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanli Gong
- School of ManagementShanxi Medical UniversityJinzhongShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Big Data in Clinical Decision ResearchShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
| | - Jiayi Zhou
- Faculty of Arts and Social SciencesUniversity of SydneyBroadwayAustralia
| | - Yaqi Hou
- School of ManagementShanxi Medical UniversityJinzhongShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Big Data in Clinical Decision ResearchShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
| | - juan Zhang
- School of ManagementShanxi Medical UniversityJinzhongShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Big Data in Clinical Decision ResearchShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
| | - Peifeng He
- Key Laboratory of Big Data in Clinical Decision ResearchShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
| | - Qi Yu
- School of ManagementShanxi Medical UniversityJinzhongShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Big Data in Clinical Decision ResearchShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
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15
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Talia M, Cirillo F, Scordamaglia D, Di Dio M, Zicarelli A, De Rosis S, Miglietta AM, Capalbo C, De Francesco EM, Belfiore A, Grande F, Rizzuti B, Occhiuzzi MA, Fortino G, Guzzo A, Greco G, Maggiolini M, Lappano R. The G Protein Estrogen Receptor (GPER) is involved in the resistance to the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:171. [PMID: 38886784 PMCID: PMC11184778 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03096-7] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cyclin D1-cyclin dependent kinases (CDK)4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy shows remarkable efficacy in the management of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (BC). Nevertheless, resistance to palbociclib frequently arises, highlighting the need to identify new targets toward more comprehensive therapeutic strategies in BC patients. METHODS BC cell lines resistant to palbociclib were generated and used as a model system. Gene silencing techniques and overexpression experiments, real-time PCR, immunoblotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies as well as cell viability, colony and 3D spheroid formation assays served to evaluate the involvement of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the resistance to palbociclib in BC cells. Molecular docking simulations were also performed to investigate the potential interaction of palbociclib with GPER. Furthermore, BC cells co-cultured with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) isolated from mammary carcinoma, were used to investigate whether GPER signaling may contribute to functional cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment toward palbociclib resistance. Finally, by bioinformatics analyses and k-means clustering on clinical and expression data of large cohorts of BC patients, the clinical significance of novel mediators of palbociclib resistance was explored. RESULTS Dissecting the molecular events that characterize ER-positive BC cells resistant to palbociclib, the down-regulation of ERα along with the up-regulation of GPER were found. To evaluate the molecular events involved in the up-regulation of GPER, we determined that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) interacts with the promoter region of GPER and stimulates its expression toward BC cells resistance to palbociclib treatment. Adding further cues to these data, we ascertained that palbociclib does induce pro-inflammatory transcriptional events via GPER signaling in CAFs. Of note, by performing co-culture assays we demonstrated that GPER contributes to the reduced sensitivity to palbociclib also facilitating the functional interaction between BC cells and main components of the tumor microenvironment named CAFs. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results provide novel insights on the molecular events through which GPER may contribute to palbociclib resistance in BC cells. Additional investigations are warranted in order to assess whether targeting the GPER-mediated interactions between BC cells and CAFs may be useful in more comprehensive therapeutic approaches of BC resistant to palbociclib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Talia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Francesca Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Domenica Scordamaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Marika Di Dio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Azzurra Zicarelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Salvatore De Rosis
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Miglietta
- Breast and General Surgery Unit, Regional Hospital Cosenza, Cosenza, 87100, Italy
| | - Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
- Complex Operative Oncology Unit, Regional Hospital Cosenza, Cosenza, 87100, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Belfiore
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, Catania, 95122, Italy
| | - Fedora Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Bruno Rizzuti
- Department of Physics, CNR-NANOTEC, SS Rende (CS), University of Calabria, Rende, CS, 87036, Italy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | | | - Giancarlo Fortino
- Department of Informatics, Modeling, Electronic, and System Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Antonella Guzzo
- Department of Informatics, Modeling, Electronic, and System Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Greco
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy.
| | - Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy.
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16
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Zhang H, Li M, Hu CJ, Stenmark KR. Fibroblasts in Pulmonary Hypertension: Roles and Molecular Mechanisms. Cells 2024; 13:914. [PMID: 38891046 PMCID: PMC11171669 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts, among the most prevalent and widely distributed cell types in the human body, play a crucial role in defining tissue structure. They do this by depositing and remodeling extracellular matrixes and organizing functional tissue networks, which are essential for tissue homeostasis and various human diseases. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a devastating syndrome with high mortality, characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature and significant cellular and structural changes within the intima, media, and adventitia layers. Most research on PH has focused on alterations in the intima (endothelial cells) and media (smooth muscle cells). However, research over the past decade has provided strong evidence of the critical role played by pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblasts in PH. These fibroblasts exhibit the earliest, most dramatic, and most sustained proliferative, apoptosis-resistant, and inflammatory responses to vascular stress. This review examines the aberrant phenotypes of PH fibroblasts and their role in the pathogenesis of PH, discusses potential molecular signaling pathways underlying these activated phenotypes, and highlights areas of research that merit further study to identify promising targets for the prevention and treatment of PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Min Li
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Cheng-Jun Hu
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kurt R. Stenmark
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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17
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Milosevic V, Östman A. Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and T-cells: functional crosstalk with targeting and biomarker potential. Ups J Med Sci 2024; 129:10710. [PMID: 38863724 PMCID: PMC11165253 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v129.10710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous cell population recognized as a key component of the tumour microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts are known to play an important role in maintaining and remodelling the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumour stroma, supporting cancer progression and inhibiting the immune system's response against cancer cells. This review aims to summarize the immunomodulatory roles of CAFs, particularly focussing on their T-cell suppressive effects. Cancer-associated fibroblasts have several ways by which they can affect the tumour's immune microenvironment (TIME). For example, their interactions with macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) create an immunosuppressive milieu that can indirectly affect T-cell anticancer immunity and enable immune evasion. In addition, a number of recent studies have confirmed CAF-mediated direct suppressive effects on T-cell anticancer capacity through ECM remodelling, promoting the expression of immune checkpoints, cytokine secretion and the release of extracellular vesicles. The consequential impact of CAFs on T-cell function is then reflected in affecting T-cell proliferation and apoptosis, migration and infiltration, differentiation and exhaustion. Emerging evidence highlights the existence of specific CAF subsets with distinct capabilities to modulate the immune landscape of TME in various cancers, suggesting the possibility of their exploitation as possible prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Milosevic
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Östman
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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18
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Sun J, Du R, Li X, Liu C, Wang D, He X, Li G, Zhang K, Wang S, Hao Q, Zhang Y, Li M, Gao Y, Zhang C. CD63 + cancer-associated fibroblasts confer CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance to breast cancer cells by exosomal miR-20. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216747. [PMID: 38403110 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216747] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have rapidly received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a new type of therapy for patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, with the widespread application of CDK4/6i, drug resistance has become a new challenge for clinical practice and has greatly limited the treatment effect. Here, the whole microenvironment landscape of ER+ breast cancer tumors was revealed through single-cell RNA sequencing, and a specific subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CD63+ CAFs) was identified as highly enriched in CDK4/6i resistant tumor tissues. Then, we found that CD63+ CAFs can distinctly promote resistance to CDK4/6i in breast cancer cells and tumor xenografts. In addition, it was discovered that miR-20 is markedly enriched in the CD63+ CAFs-derived exosomes, which are used to communicate with ER+ breast cancer cells, leading to CDK4/6i resistance. Furthermore, exosomal miR-20 could directly target the RB1 mRNA 3'UTR and negatively regulate RB1 expression to decrease CDK4/6i sensitivity in breast cancer cells. Most importantly, we designed and synthesized cRGD-miR-20 sponge nanoparticles and found that they can enhance the therapeutic effect of CDK4/6i in breast cancer. In summary, our findings reveal that CD63+ CAFs can promote CDK4/6i resistance via exosomal miR-20, which induces the downregulation of RB1 in breast cancer cells, and suggest that CD63+ CAFs may be a novel therapeutic target to enhance CDK4/6i sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Ruoxin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Xiaoju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China; Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing, 100850, PR China
| | - Chenlin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Donghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Xiangmei He
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Guodong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Kuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Shuning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Qiang Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Yingqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Meng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China.
| | - Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China.
| | - Cun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China.
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19
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Chen C, Liu J, Lin X, Xiang A, Ye Q, Guo J, Rui T, Xu J, Hu S. Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and regulated cell death in tumors: insights into apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:189. [PMID: 38649701 PMCID: PMC11035635 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01958-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the main stromal component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play multifaceted roles in cancer progression through paracrine signaling, exosome transfer, and cell interactions. Attractively, recent evidence indicates that CAFs can modulate various forms of regulated cell death (RCD) in adjacent tumor cells, thus involving cancer proliferation, therapy resistance, and immune exclusion. Here, we present a brief introduction to CAFs and basic knowledge of RCD, including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. In addition, we further summarize the different types of RCD in tumors that are mediated by CAFs, as well as the effects of these modes of RCD on CAFs. This review will deepen our understanding of the interactions between CAFs and RCD and might offer novel therapeutic avenues for future cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Aizhai Xiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qianwei Ye
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jufeng Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Rui
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shufang Hu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
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Ren Y, Qian Y, Zhang Q, Li X, Li M, Li W, Yang P, Ren H, Li H, Weng Y, Li D, Xu K, Yu W. High LGALS3 expression induced by HCP5/hsa-miR-27b-3p correlates with poor prognosis and tumor immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:142. [PMID: 38643145 PMCID: PMC11031979 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03309-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely recognized for its unfavorable prognosis. Increasing evidence has revealed that LGALS3 has an essential function in initiating and developing several malignancies in humans. Nevertheless, thorough analysis of the expression profile, clinical prognosis, pathway prediction, and immune infiltration of LGALS3 has not been fully explored in HCC. METHODS In this study, an initial pan-cancer analysis was conducted to investigate the expression and prognosis of LGALS3. Following a comprehensive analysis, which included expression analysis and correlation analysis, noncoding RNAs that contribute to the overexpression of LGALS3 were subsequently identified. This identification was further validated using HCC clinical tissue samples. TIMER2 and GEPIA2 were employed to examine the correlation between LGALS3 and HCP5 with immunological checkpoints, cell chemotaxis, and immune infiltration in HCC. The R program was applied to analyze the expression distribution of immune score in in HCC patients with high and low LGALS3 expression. The expression profiles of immune checkpoints were also analyzed. Use R to perform GSVA analysis in order to explore potential signaling pathways. RESULTS First, we conducted pan-cancer analysis for LGALS3 expression level through an in-depth analysis of public databases and found that HCC has a high LGALS3 gene and protein expression level, which were then verified in clinical HCC specimens. Meanwhile, high LGALS3 gene expression is related to malignant progression and poor prognosis of HCC. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that LGALS3 could serve as an independent prognostic marker for HCC. Next, by combining comprehensive analysis and validation on HCC clinical tissue samples, we hypothesize that the HCP5/hsa-miR-27b-3p axis could serve as the most promising LGALS3 regulation mechanism in HCC. KEGG and GO analyses highlighted that the LGALS3-related genes were involved in tumor immunity. Furthermore, we detected a significant positive association between LGALS3 and HCP5 with immunological checkpoints, cell chemotaxis, and immune infiltration. In addition, high LGALS3 expression groups had significantly higher immune cell scores and immune checkpoint expression levels. Finally, GSVA analysis was performed to predict potential signaling pathways linked to LGALS3 and HCP5 in immune evasion and metabolic reprogramming of HCC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicated that the upregulation of LGALS3 via the HCP5/hsa-miR-27b-3p axis is associated with unfavorable prognosis and increased tumor immune infiltration in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yongmei Qian
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Qicheng Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Mingjiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Pan Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Hengchang Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Hongxia Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yiqi Weng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Dengwen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
| | - Wenli Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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Fu W, Feng Q, Tao R. Machine learning developed a fibroblast-related signature for predicting clinical outcome and drug sensitivity in ovarian cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37783. [PMID: 38640321 PMCID: PMC11030012 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer death. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) is involved in wound healing and inflammatory processes, tumor occurrence and progression, and chemotherapy resistance in OC. GSE184880 dataset was used to identify CAF-related genes in OC. CAF-related signature (CRS) was constructed using integrative 10 machine learning methods with the datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas, GSE14764, GSE26193, GSE26712, GSE63885, and GSE140082. The performance of CRS in predicting immunotherapy benefits was verified using 3 immunotherapy datasets (GSE91061, GSE78220, and IMvigor210) and several immune calculating scores. The Lasso + StepCox[forward] method-based predicting model having a highest average C index of 0.69 was referred as the optimal CRS and it had a stable and powerful performance in predicting clinical outcome of OC patients, with the 1-, 3-, and 5-year area under curves were 0.699, 0.708, and 0.767 in the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. The C index of CRS was higher than that of tumor grade, clinical stage, and many developed signatures. Low CRS score demonstrated lower tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score, lower immune escape score, higher PD1&CTLA4 immunophenoscore, higher tumor mutation burden score, higher response rate and better prognosis in OC, suggesting a better immunotherapy response. OC patients with low CRS score had a lower half maximal inhibitory concentration value of some drugs (Gemcitabine, Tamoxifen, and Nilotinib, etc) and lower score of some cancer-related hallmarks (Notch signaling, hypoxia, and glycolysis, etc). The current study developed an optimal CRS in OC, which acted as an indicator for the prognosis, stratifying risk and guiding treatment for OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fu
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qian Feng
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ran Tao
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Theivendran S, Xian H, Qu J, Song Y, Sun B, Song H, Yu C. A Pioglitazone Nanoformulation Designed for Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Reprogramming and Cancer Treatment. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:4354-4361. [PMID: 38563599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The recent focus of cancer therapeutics research revolves around modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance efficacy. The tumor stroma, primarily composed of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), poses significant obstacles to therapeutic penetration, influencing resistance and tumor progression. Reprogramming CAFs into an inactivated state has emerged as a promising strategy, necessitating innovative approaches. This study pioneers the design of a nanoformulation using pioglitazone, a Food and Drug Administration-approved anti-diabetic drug, to reprogram CAFs in the breast cancer TME. Glutathione (GSH)-responsive dendritic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles loaded with pioglitazone (DMON-P) are designed for the delivery of cargo to the GSH-rich cytosol of CAFs. DMON-P facilitates pioglitazone-mediated CAF reprogramming, enhancing the penetration of doxorubicin (Dox), a therapeutic drug. Treatment with DMON-P results in the downregulation of CAF biomarkers and inhibits tumor growth through the effective delivery of Dox. This innovative approach holds promise as an alternative strategy for enhancing therapeutic outcomes in CAF-abundant tumors, particularly in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shevanuja Theivendran
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - He Xian
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Jingjing Qu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Yaping Song
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Bing Sun
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Hao Song
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Chengzhong Yu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
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23
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Liu S, Han B, Wang R, Fang J. Elucidating the role of FOS in modulating the immune microenvironment through fibroblast and myeloid cell regulation in locoregional recurrent HNSCC. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38567514 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly due to its high propensity for locoregional recurrence. Current research underscores the need to unravel the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment. This study addresses the critical gap in understanding how FOS modulates the immune landscape in HNSCC, with a focus on its influence on fibroblast and myeloid cell dynamics. METHODS Employing a comprehensive approach, we analyzed tissue samples from HNSCC patients and adjacent non-cancerous tissues using bulk RNA sequencing complemented by in-depth bioinformatics analyses, including gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and immune infiltration assessment. A pivotal aspect of our research involved dissecting single-cell RNA-seq data from GSE234933 to elucidate the cell-type-specific expression of FOS. RESULTS We found that FOS expression varies significantly in different cell populations in the HNSCC tumor microenvironment, especially in fibroblasts and myeloid cells. This expression difference may reflect the different roles of these cells in tumor progression and their impact on the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSION Our results uncover a significant correlation between FOS expression and key immune and hypoxia-related pathways, suggesting its integral role in the tumor microenvironment. These findings not only enhance our understanding of HNSCC pathogenesis but also highlight FOS as a potential therapeutic target. This study marks a significant step towards addressing the urgent need for targeted interventions in HNSCC, particularly in the context of locoregional recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaokun Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Boxuan Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jugao Fang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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24
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Shi B, Lou X, Ma F, Nie Y, Chen H, Huang Y, Zhang W, Wang T. Perylene-Mediated Cytoskeletal Dysfunction Remodels Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Augment Antitumor Immunotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303837. [PMID: 38183408 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303837] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Targeted reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is one of the most essential cancer therapies. However, how to reprogram active CAFs toward deactivated state still remains immense challenge. To tackle this challenge, herein, one perylene N, N'-bis(2-((dimethylammonium)ethylene)-2-(methoxylethyl))-1, 6, 7, 12-tetrachloroperylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDIC-OC) is prepared, which can trigger endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst to result in cytoskeletal dysfunction and cell apoptosis so that suppress transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) production. As a result, PDIC-OC can reprogram the activated CAFs and relieve immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by efficient polarization of M2-typed macrophages into M1-typed ones, downregulation of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), alleviation of hypoxic state to promote infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and ultimately realizes outstanding antitumor performance on B16F10 tumor-xenografted and lung-metastatic mouse model even at low concentration of 1 mg kg-1 body weight. This work thus presents a novel strategy that cytoskeleton dysfunction and cell apoptosis cooperatively suppress the secretion of TGF-β to reprogram CAFs and meanwhile clarifies intrinsic mechanism for perylene-triggered chemo-immunotherapy against hypoxic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Shi
- Laboratory for NanoMedical Photonics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 475001, P. R. China
| | - Xue Lou
- Laboratory for NanoMedical Photonics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 475001, P. R. China
| | - Feiyan Ma
- Laboratory for NanoMedical Photonics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 475001, P. R. China
| | - Yanling Nie
- Laboratory for NanoMedical Photonics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 475001, P. R. China
| | - Haoxing Chen
- Laboratory for NanoMedical Photonics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 475001, P. R. China
| | - Yongwei Huang
- Laboratory for NanoMedical Photonics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 475001, P. R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Life and Health Intelligent Research Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Life and Health Detection, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300387, P. R. China
| | - Tie Wang
- Life and Health Intelligent Research Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Life and Health Detection, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300387, P. R. China
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25
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de Jong MME, Chen L, Raaijmakers MHGP, Cupedo T. Bone marrow inflammation in haematological malignancies. Nat Rev Immunol 2024:10.1038/s41577-024-01003-x. [PMID: 38491073 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-01003-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Tissue inflammation is a hallmark of tumour microenvironments. In the bone marrow, tumour-associated inflammation impacts normal niches for haematopoietic progenitor cells and mature immune cells and supports the outgrowth and survival of malignant cells residing in these niche compartments. This Review provides an overview of our current understanding of inflammatory changes in the bone marrow microenvironment of myeloid and lymphoid malignancies, using acute myeloid leukaemia and multiple myeloma as examples and highlights unique and shared features of inflammation in niches for progenitor cells and plasma cells. Importantly, inflammation exerts profoundly different effects on normal bone marrow niches in these malignancies, and we provide context for possible drivers of these divergent effects. We explore the role of tumour cells in inflammatory changes, as well as the role of cellular constituents of normal bone marrow niches, including myeloid cells and stromal cells. Integrating knowledge of disease-specific dynamics of malignancy-associated bone marrow inflammation will provide a necessary framework for future targeting of these processes to improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelon M E de Jong
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lanpeng Chen
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tom Cupedo
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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26
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Sun W, Zhu Y, Zou Z, Wang L, Zhong J, Shen K, Lin X, Gao Z, Liu W, Li Y, Xu Y, Ren M, Hu T, Wei C, Gu J, Chen Y. An advanced comprehensive muti-cell-type-specific model for predicting anti-PD-1 therapeutic effect in melanoma. Theranostics 2024; 14:2127-2150. [PMID: 38505619 PMCID: PMC10945348 DOI: 10.7150/thno.91626] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death (PD)-1/PD-L1 pathway have promise in patients with advanced melanoma. However, drug resistance usually results in limited patient benefits. Recent single-cell RNA sequencing studies have elucidated that MM patients display distinctive transcriptional features of tumor cells, immune cells and interstitial cells, including loss of antigen presentation function of tumor cells, exhaustion of CD8+T and extracellular matrix secreted by fibroblasts to prevents immune infiltration, which leads to a poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, cell subgroups beneficial to anti-tumor immunity and the model developed by them remain to be further identified. Methods: In this clinical study of neoadjuvant therapy with anti-PD-1 in advanced melanoma, tumor tissues were collected before and after treatment for single-nucleus sequencing, and the results were verified using multicolor immunofluorescence staining and public datasets. Results: This study describes four cell subgroups which are closely associated with the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 treatment. It also describes a cell-cell communication network, in which the interaction of the four cell subgroups contributes to anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, we discuss a newly developed predictive model based on these four subgroups that holds significant potential for assessing the efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment. Conclusions: These findings elucidate the primary mechanism of anti-PD-1 resistance and offer guidance for clinical drug administration for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Zijian Zou
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Jingqin Zhong
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Kangjie Shen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Lin
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Zixu Gao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Wanlin Liu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Yinlam Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Ming Ren
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Tu Hu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Chuanyuan Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Jianying Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Cancer center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
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27
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Cao L, Ouyang H. Intercellular crosstalk between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts via exosomes in gastrointestinal tumors. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1374742. [PMID: 38463229 PMCID: PMC10920350 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1374742] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) tumors are a significant global health threat, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Exosomes contain various biologically active molecules like nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids and can serve as messengers for intercellular communication. They play critical roles in the exchange of information between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME consists of mesenchymal cells and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), with fibroblasts being the most abundant cell type in the tumor mesenchyme. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are derived from normal fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells that are activated in the TME. CAFs can secrete exosomes to modulate cell proliferation, invasion, migration, drug resistance, and other biological processes in tumors. Additionally, tumor cells can manipulate the function and behavior of fibroblasts through direct cell-cell interactions. This review provides a summary of the intercellular crosstalk between GI tumor cells and CAFs through exosomes, along with potential underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyang Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Linan District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Ouyang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Linan District, Hangzhou, China
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28
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Liu C, Liu T, Zhang Q, Song M, Zhang Q, Shi J, Deng L, Chen Y, Zheng X, Lin S, Wang Z, Xie H, Chen S, Wu S, Shi H. Temporal relationship between inflammation and metabolic disorders and their impact on cancer risk. J Glob Health 2024; 14:04041. [PMID: 38386717 PMCID: PMC10869135 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammation and metabolic disorders are closely associated with cancer. Whether inflammation leads to metabolic disorders or vice versa during cancer initiation remains unclear. In this study, we explored this temporal relationship and the co-exposure effect on cancer risk. Methods This prospective study had two phases. Initially, we examined the temporal relationship between inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP)) and metabolic disorders (metabolic syndrome severity Z-score (MetS-Z)) using a 3.98-year survey and cross-lagged analysis. Subsequently, we assessed the connection of co-exposure to inflammation and metabolic disorders, and the risks of overall cancer, as well as specific obesity-related, non-obesity-related, digestive system, lung, and other cancers using an 11.04-year survey and Cox proportional hazard models. Results The cross-lagged analysis revealed that the path coefficient from baseline CRP to follow-up MetS-Z (β2 = 0.032; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.026, 0.046) was more significant than the path coefficient from baseline MetS-Z to follow-up CRP (β1 = 0.009; 95% CI = -0.001, 0.019). During the follow-up, 2304 cases of cancer occurred. Compared with the risk of cancer of patients with low average cumulative CRP and MetS-Z, patients with high value had a significantly increased risk (hazard ratio = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.30, 1.83). The mediation analysis showed that MetS-Z mediated the association between CRP levels and overall cancer (12.67%), digestive system cancer (10.16%), and obesity-related cancer risk (13.87%). Conclusions Inflammation had a greater impact on metabolic disorders than vice versa. Co-exposure to inflammation and metabolic disorders significantly increased the risk of cancer, particularly digestive system and obesity-related cancers. Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TNRC-11001489.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenan Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingsong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Kailuan General Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Mengmeng Song
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Jinyu Shi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Deng
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiqi Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hailun Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuohua Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Kailuan General Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Shouling Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Kailuan General Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Hanping Shi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer FSMP for State Market Regulation, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Liu Z, Sun B, Xu A, Tang J, Zhang H, Gao J, Wang L. MICAL2 implies immunosuppressive features and acts as an independent and adverse prognostic biomarker in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3177. [PMID: 38326344 PMCID: PMC10850094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52729-6] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
At present, clinical outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients are still poor. New therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer are urgently needed. Previous studies have indicated that Microtubule Associated Monooxygenase, Calponin and LIM Domain Containing 2 (MICAL2) is highly expressed in many tumors and promotes tumor progression. However, the role played by MICAL2 in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. Based on gene expression and clinical information from multiple datasets, we used comprehensive bioinformatics analysis in combination with tissue microarray to explore the function and clinical value of MICAL2. The results showed that MICAL2 was highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissue and exhibited potential diagnostic capability. High expression of MICAL2 was also associated with poor prognosis and acted as an independent prognostic factor. MICAL2, mainly expressed in fibroblasts of pancreatic cancer, was closely related to metastasis and immune-related features, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, extracellular cell matrix degradation, and inflammatory response. Furthermore, higher MICAL2 expression in pancreatic cancer was also associated with an increase in cancer-associated fibroblasts as well as M2 macrophage infiltration, and a reduction in CD8 + T cell infiltration, thereby facilitating the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Our results helped elucidate the clinical value and function in metastasis and immunity of MICAL2 in pancreatic cancer. These findings provided potential clinical strategies for diagnosis, targeted therapy combination immunotherapy, and prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing Sun
- Jinzhou Medical University Postgraduate Training Base (The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aiguo Xu
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingjiao Tang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huiqin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China.
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30
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Mohamedi Y, Fontanil T, Vega JA, Cobo T, Cal S, Obaya ÁJ. Lung Inflammatory Phenotype in Mice Deficient in Fibulin-2 and ADAMTS-12. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2024. [PMID: 38396702 PMCID: PMC10888546 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042024] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Interaction between extracellular matrix (ECM) components plays an important role in the regulation of cellular behavior and hence in tissue function. Consequently, characterization of new interactions within ECM opens the possibility of studying not only the functional but also the pathological consequences derived from those interactions. We have previously described the interaction between fibulin2 and ADAMTS-12 in vitro and the effects of that interaction using cellular models of cancer. Now, we generate a mouse deficient in both ECM components and evaluate functional consequences of their absence using different cancer and inflammation murine models. The main findings indicate that mice deficient in both fibulin2 and ADAMTS12 markedly increase the development of lung tumors following intraperitoneal urethane injections. Moreover, inflammatory phenotype is exacerbated in the lung after LPS treatment as can be inferred from the accumulation of active immune cells in lung parenchyma. Overall, our results suggest that protective effects in cancer or inflammation shown by fibulin2 and ADAMTS12 as interactive partners in vitro are also shown in a more realistic in vivo context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamina Mohamedi
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Tania Fontanil
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - José A. Vega
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia—Área Metropolinana, Santiago de Chile 7500912, Chile
| | - Teresa Cobo
- Departamento de Cirugía y Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Asturiano de Odontología (IAO), 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Santiago Cal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Álvaro J. Obaya
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), 33006 Oviedo, Spain
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31
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Cui JW, Li Y, Yang Y, Yang HK, Dong JM, Xiao ZH, He X, Guo JH, Wang RQ, Dai B, Zhou ZL. Tumor immunotherapy resistance: Revealing the mechanism of PD-1 / PD-L1-mediated tumor immune escape. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116203. [PMID: 38280330 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116203] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy, an innovative anti-cancer therapy, has showcased encouraging outcomes across diverse tumor types. Among these, the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway is a well-known immunological checkpoint, which is significant in the regulation of immune evasion by tumors. Nevertheless, a considerable number of patients develop resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, rendering it ineffective in the long run. This research focuses on exploring the factors of PD-1/PD-L1-mediated resistance in tumor immunotherapy. Initially, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is characterized by its role in facilitating tumor immune evasion, emphasizing its role in autoimmune homeostasis. Next, the primary mechanisms of resistance to PD-1/PD-L1-based immunotherapy are analyzed, including tumor antigen deletion, T cell dysfunction, increased immunosuppressive cells, and alterations in the expression of PD-L1 within tumor cells. The possible ramifications of altered metabolism, microbiota, and DNA methylation on resistance is also described. Finally, possible resolution strategies for dealing with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy resistance are discussed, placing particular emphasis on personalized therapeutic approaches and the exploration of more potent immunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wen Cui
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Li
- College of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, China
| | - Hai-Kui Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Jia-Mei Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China
| | - Jia-Hao Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China; College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui-Qi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China.
| | - Bo Dai
- Department of Cardiology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Foshan City 528200, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Zhi-Ling Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, China.
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Uehara M, Domoto T, Takenaka S, Takeuchi O, Shimasaki T, Miyashita T, Minamoto T. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β: the nexus of chemoresistance, invasive capacity, and cancer stemness in pancreatic cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:4. [PMID: 38318525 PMCID: PMC10838383 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of pancreatic cancer remains a significant clinical challenge due to the limited number of patients eligible for curative (R0) surgery, failures in the clinical development of targeted and immune therapies, and the pervasive acquisition of chemotherapeutic resistance. Refractory pancreatic cancer is typified by high invasiveness and resistance to therapy, with both attributes related to tumor cell stemness. These malignant characteristics mutually enhance each other, leading to rapid cancer progression. Over the past two decades, numerous studies have produced evidence of the pivotal role of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β in the progression of over 25 different cancer types, including pancreatic cancer. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge on the pathological roles of aberrant GSK3β in supporting tumor cell proliferation and invasion, as well as its contribution to gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer. Importantly, we discuss the central role of GSK3β as a molecular hub that mechanistically connects chemoresistance, tumor cell invasion, and stemness in pancreatic cancer. We also discuss the involvement of GSK3β in the formation of desmoplastic tumor stroma and in promoting anti-cancer immune evasion, both of which constitute major obstacles to successful cancer treatment. Overall, GSK3β has characteristics of a promising therapeutic target to overcome chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Uehara
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Takahiro Domoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Satoshi Takenaka
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Toyama City Hospital, Toyama 939-8511, Japan
| | - Osamu Takeuchi
- Biomedical Laboratory, Department of Research, Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital, Tokyo 108-8642, Japan
| | - Takeo Shimasaki
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Miyashita
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Toyama City Hospital, Toyama 939-8511, Japan
| | - Toshinari Minamoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
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Harrer DC, Lüke F, Pukrop T, Ghibelli L, Gerner C, Reichle A, Heudobler D. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα/γ agonist pioglitazone for rescuing relapsed or refractory neoplasias by unlocking phenotypic plasticity. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1289222. [PMID: 38273846 PMCID: PMC10808445 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1289222] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A series of seven clinical trials on relapsed or refractory (r/r) metastatic neoplasias followed the question: Are networks of ligand-receptor cross-talks that support tumor-specific cancer hallmarks, druggable with tumor tissue editing approaches therapeutically exploiting tumor plasticity? Differential recombinations of pioglitazone, a dual peroxisome-proliferator activated receptorα/γ (PPARα/γ) agonist, with transcriptional modulators, i.e., all-trans retinoic acid, interferon-α, or dexamethasone plus metronomic low-dose chemotherapy (MCT) or epigenetic modeling with azacitidine plus/minus cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition initiated tumor-specific reprogramming of cancer hallmarks, as exemplified by inflammation control in r/r melanoma, renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (mLCH) or differentiation induction in non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (non-PML AML). Pioglitazone, integrated in differentially designed editing schedules, facilitated induction of tumor cell death as indicated by complete remission (CR) in r/r non-PML AML, continuous CR in r/r RCCC, mLCH, and in HL by addition of everolimus, or long-term disease control in melanoma by efficaciously controlling metastasis, post-therapy cancer repopulation and acquired cell-resistance and genetic/molecular-genetic tumor cell heterogeneity (M-CRAC). PPARα/γ agonists provided tumor-type agnostic biomodulatory efficacy across different histologic neoplasias. Tissue editing techniques disclose that wide-ranging functions of PPARα/γ agonists may be on-topic focused for differentially unlocking tumor phenotypes. Low-dose MCT facilitates targeted reprogramming of cancer hallmarks with transcriptional modulators, induction of tumor cell death, M-CRAC control and editing of non-oncogene addiction. Thus, pioglitazone, integrated in tumor tissue editing protocols, is an important biomodulatory drug for addressing urgent therapeutic problems, such as M-CRAC in relapsed or refractory tumor disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Christoph Harrer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian Lüke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Personalized Tumor Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Pukrop
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lina Ghibelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Albrecht Reichle
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Heudobler
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Lee CM, Hwang Y, Jeong JW, Kim M, Lee J, Bae SJ, Ahn SG, Fang S. BRCA1 mutation promotes sprouting angiogenesis in inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblast of triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:5. [PMID: 38182557 PMCID: PMC10770063 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01768-5] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with inferior outcomes owing to its low treatment response and high invasiveness. Based on abundant cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and frequent mutation of breast cancer-associated 1 (BRCA1) in TNBC, the characteristics of CAFs in TNBC patients with BRCA1 mutation compared to wild-type were investigated using single-cell analysis. Intriguingly, we observed that characteristics of inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) were enriched in patients with BRCA1 mutation compared to the wild-type. iCAFs in patients with BRCA1 mutation exhibited outgoing signals to endothelial cells (ECs) clusters, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). During CXCL signaling, the atypical chemokine receptor 1 (ACKR1) mainly interacts with CXCL family members in tumor endothelial cells (TECs). ACKR1-high TECs also showed high expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes, such as ANGPT2, MMP1, and SELE, which might lead to EC migration. Furthermore, iCAFs showed VEGF signals for FLT1 and KDR in TECs, which showed high co-expression with tip cell marker genes, including ZEB1 and MAFF, involved in sprouting angiogenesis. Moreover, BRCA1 mutation patients with relatively abundant iCAFs and tip cell gene expression exhibited a limited response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including cisplatin and bevacizumab. Importantly, our study observed the intricate link between iCAFs-mediated angiogenesis and chemoresistance in TNBC with BRCA1 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chae Min Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeseong Hwang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Woong Jeong
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Minki Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Janghee Lee
- Department of Surgery, Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Dongtan, 18450, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Soong June Bae
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Breast Cancer Precision Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Gwe Ahn
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
- Institute for Breast Cancer Precision Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sungsoon Fang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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Gu Y, Chen Q, Yin H, Zeng M, Gao S, Wang X. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in neoadjuvant setting for solid cancers. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 193:104226. [PMID: 38056580 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches for cancer have become increasingly diverse in recent times. A comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) holds great potential for enhancing the precision of tumor therapies. Neoadjuvant therapy offers the possibility of alleviating patient symptoms and improving overall quality of life. Additionally, it may facilitate the reduction of inoperable tumors and prevent potential preoperative micrometastases. Within the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a prominent role as they generate various elements that contribute to tumor progression. Particularly, extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by CAFs prevents immune cell infiltration into the TME, hampers drug penetration, and diminishes therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, this review provides a summary of the heterogeneity and interactions of CAFs within the TME, with a specific focus on the influence of neoadjuvant therapy on the microenvironment, particularly CAFs. Finally, we propose several potential and promising therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs, which may efficiently eliminate CAFs to decrease stroma density and impair their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Gu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiangda Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hanlin Yin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai, 200032, China.
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36
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Pan J, Lai Y, Zhang S, Zhang H, Shan Y, Huang L, Wang F, Yu H, Xu L, Xu Z. Self-Adaptive Nanoregulator to Mitigate Dynamic Immune Evasion of Pancreatic Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2305798. [PMID: 37716012 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
The advance of immunotherapy has shifted the paradigm of cancer management in clinics. Nevertheless, a considerable subset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients marginally respond to current immunotherapy due to the occurrence of dynamic immune evasion arising from intrinsic and therapeutic stress. In this investigation, the pivotal role of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-induced fibrosis and tumor cell-mediated T-cell exhaustion in driving the dynamic immune evasion is identified. Building upon this discovery, the authors herein engineer a novel peptide-drug conjugate (PDC)-based self-adaptive nanoregulator for mitigating dynamic immune evasion of PDAC. The resulting nanoregulator can perform a two-stage morphology transformation from spherical micelle to nanofiber, and subsequently from nanofiber to spherical nanoparticles. Such kind of nanostructure design can facilitate differentialized delivery of CAF inhibitor in the extracellular matrix for intervening CAF-mediated tumor fibrosis, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 inhibitor to tumor cells for relieving IDO1-kynurenine axis-induced T-cell exhaustion. Antitumor study with the self-adaptive nanoregulator elicited persistent antitumor immunity and remarkable antitumor performance in both Panc02 and KPC tumor models in vivo. Taken together, the PDC-based self-adaptive nanoregulator may provide a novel avenue for enhanced PDAC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 2000092, China
| | - Yi Lai
- Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shunan Zhang
- Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yiming Shan
- Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lujia Huang
- Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Haijun Yu
- Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Leiming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 2000092, China
| | - Zhiai Xu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
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37
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Giles JR, Globig AM, Kaech SM, Wherry EJ. CD8 + T cells in the cancer-immunity cycle. Immunity 2023; 56:2231-2253. [PMID: 37820583 PMCID: PMC11237652 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are end effectors of cancer immunity. Most forms of effective cancer immunotherapy involve CD8+ T cell effector function. Here, we review the current understanding of T cell function in cancer, focusing on key CD8+ T cell subtypes and states. We discuss factors that influence CD8+ T cell differentiation and function in cancer through a framework that incorporates the classic three-signal model and a fourth signal-metabolism-and also consider the impact of the tumor microenvironment from a T cell perspective. We argue for the notion of immunotherapies as "pro-drugs" that act to augment or modulate T cells, which ultimately serve as the drug in vivo, and for the importance of overall immune health in cancer treatment and prevention. The progress in understanding T cell function in cancer has and will continue to improve harnessing of the immune system across broader tumor types to benefit more patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine R Giles
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna-Maria Globig
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - E John Wherry
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Axemaker H, Plesselova S, Calar K, Jorgensen M, Wollman J, de la Puente P. Normal Uterine Fibroblast Are Reprogramed into Ovarian Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts by Ovarian Tumor-derived Conditioned Media. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.29.560158. [PMID: 37873479 PMCID: PMC10592803 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key contributors to ovarian cancer (OC) progression and therapeutic resistance through dysregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). CAFs are a heterogenous population derived from different cell types through activation and reprogramming. Current studies rely on uncharacterized heterogenous primary CAFs or normal fibroblasts that fail to recapitulate CAF-like tumor behavior. Here, we present a translatable-based approach for the reprogramming of normal uterine fibroblasts into ovarian CAFs using ovarian tumor-derived conditioned media to establish two well-characterized ovarian conditioned CAF lines. Phenotypic and functional characterization demonstrated that the conditioned CAFs expressed a CAF-like phenotype, strengthened proliferation, secretory, contractility, and ECM remodeling properties when compared to resting normal fibroblasts, consistent with an activated fibroblast status. Moreover, conditioned CAFs significantly enhanced drug resistance and tumor progression and resembled a CAF-like subtype associated with worse prognosis. The present study provides a reproducible, cost-effective, and clinically relevant protocol to reprogram normal fibroblasts into CAFs using tumor-derived conditioned media. Using these resources, further development of therapeutics that possess potentiality and specificity towards CAF-mediated chemoresistance in OC are further warranted.
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Lai X, Fu G, Du H, Xie Z, Lin S, Li Q, Lin K. Identification of a cancer-associated fibroblast classifier for predicting prognosis and therapeutic response in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35005. [PMID: 37746966 PMCID: PMC10519496 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable prognostic gene signatures for cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) are still lacking, and the underlying genetic principles remain unclear. Therefore, the 2 main aims of our study were to establish a reliable CAFs prognostic gene signature that can be used to stratify patients with LUSC and to identify promising potential targets for more effective and individualized therapies. Clinical information and mRNA expression were accessed of the cancer genome atlas-LUSC cohort (n = 501) and GSE157011 cohort (n = 484). CAFs abundance were quantified by the multi-estimated algorithms. Stromal CAF-related genes were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression method was utilized to identify the most relevant CAFs candidates for predicting prognosis. Chemotherapy sensitivity scores were calculated using the "pRRophetic" package in R software, and the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion algorithm was employed to evaluate immunotherapy response. Gene set enrichment analysis and the Search Tool for Interaction of Chemicals database were applied to clarify the molecular mechanisms. In this study, we identified 288 hub CAF-related candidate genes by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Next, 34 potential prognostic CAFs candidate genes were identified by univariate Cox regression in the cancer genome atlas-LUSC cohort. We prioritized the top 8 CAFs prognostic genes (DCBLD1, SLC24A3, ILK, SMAD7, SERPINE1, SNX9, PDGFA, and KLF10) by a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression model, and these genes were used to identify low- and high-risk subgroups for unfavorable survival. In silico drug screening identified 6 effective compounds for high-risk CAFs-related LUSC: TAK-715, GW 441756, OSU-03012, MP470, FH535, and KIN001-266. Additionally, search tool for interaction of chemicals database highlighted PI3K-Akt signaling as a potential target pathway for high-risk CAFs-related LUSC. Overall, our findings provide a molecular classifier for high-risk CAFs-related LUSC and suggest that treatment with PI3K-Akt signaling inhibitors could benefit these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Lai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gangze Fu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Du
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zuoliu Xie
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Saifeng Lin
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qiao Li
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kuailu Lin
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Hui J, Zhou M, An G, Zhang H, Lu Y, Wang X, Zhao X. Regulatory role of exosomes in colorectal cancer progression and potential as biomarkers. Cancer Biol Med 2023; 20:j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0119. [PMID: 37553810 PMCID: PMC10476469 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0119] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains an enormous challenge to human health worldwide. Unfortunately, the mechanism underlying CRC progression is not well understood. Mounting evidence has confirmed that exosomes play a vital role in CRC progression, which has attracted extensive attention among researchers. In addition to acting as messengers between CRC cells, exosomes also participate in the CRC immunomodulatory process and reshape immune function. As stable message carriers and liquid biopsy option under development, exosomes are promising biomarkers in the diagnosis or treatment of CRC. In this review we have described and analyzed the biogenesis and release of exosomes and current research on the role of exosomes in immune regulation and metastasis of CRC. Moreover, we have discussed candidate exosomal molecules as potential biomarkers to diagnose CRC, predict CRC progression, or determine CRC chemoresistance, and described the significance of exosomes in the immunotherapy of CRC. This review provides insight to further understand the role of exosomes in CRC progression and identify valuable biomarkers that facilitate the clinical management of CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Hui
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Mingzhen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Guangzhou An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
- Department of Radiation Protection Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Yuanyuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Xiaodi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
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Davies A, Zoubeidi A, Beltran H, Selth LA. The Transcriptional and Epigenetic Landscape of Cancer Cell Lineage Plasticity. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1771-1788. [PMID: 37470668 PMCID: PMC10527883 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Lineage plasticity, a process whereby cells change their phenotype to take on a different molecular and/or histologic identity, is a key driver of cancer progression and therapy resistance. Although underlying genetic changes within the tumor can enhance lineage plasticity, it is predominantly a dynamic process controlled by transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation. This review explores the transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of lineage plasticity and their interplay with other features of malignancy, such as dysregulated metabolism, the tumor microenvironment, and immune evasion. We also discuss strategies for the detection and treatment of highly plastic tumors. SIGNIFICANCE Lineage plasticity is a hallmark of cancer and a critical facilitator of other oncogenic features such as metastasis, therapy resistance, dysregulated metabolism, and immune evasion. It is essential that the molecular mechanisms of lineage plasticity are elucidated to enable the development of strategies to effectively target this phenomenon. In this review, we describe key transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of cancer cell plasticity, in the process highlighting therapeutic approaches that may be harnessed for patient benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Davies
- Oncology Research Discovery, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amina Zoubeidi
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Himisha Beltran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luke A. Selth
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005 Australia
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Barb AC, Fenesan MP, Pirtea M, Margan MM, Tomescu L, Ceban E, Cimpean AM, Melnic E. Reassessing Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) Interactions with Other Stromal Components and Clinico-Pathologic Parameters by Using Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis (DIA). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3823. [PMID: 37568639 PMCID: PMC10417678 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153823] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) stroma has CD34- and αSMA-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) differently distributed. During malignant transformation, CD34-positive fibroblasts decrease while αSMA-positive CAFs increase. The prevalence of αSMA-positive CAFs in BC stroma makes microscopic examination difficult without digital image analysis processing (DIA). DIA was used to compare CD34- and αSMA-positive CAFs among breast cancer molecular subgroups. DIA-derived data were linked to age, survival, tumor stroma vessels, tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), invasion, and recurrence. METHODS Double immunostaining for CD34 and αSMA showed different CAF distribution patterns in normal and BC tissues. Single CD34 immunohistochemistry on supplemental slides quantified tumor stroma CD34_CAFs. Digital image analysis (DIA) data on CAF density, intensity, stromal score, and H-score were correlated with clinico-pathologic factors. RESULTS CD34/αSMA CAF proportion was significantly related to age in Luminal A (LA), Luminal B (LB), and HER2 subtypes. CD34_CAF influence on survival, invasion, and recurrence of LA, LB-HER2, and TNBC subtypes was found to be significant. The CD34/αSMA-expressing CAFs exhibited a heterogeneous impact on stromal vasculature and TLS. CONCLUSION BC stromal CD34_CAFs/αSMA_CAFs have an impact on survival, invasion, and recurrence differently between BC molecular subtypes. The tumor stroma DIA assessment may have predictive potential to prognosis and long-term follow-up of patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Cristina Barb
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
- Doctoral School in Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Clinical Oncology, OncoHelp Hospital, 300239 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mihaela Pasca Fenesan
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
- Doctoral School in Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Clinical Oncology, OncoHelp Hospital, 300239 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marilena Pirtea
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Mădălin-Marius Margan
- Department of Functional Sciences/Discipline of Public Health, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Larisa Tomescu
- Doctoral School in Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Emil Ceban
- Department of Urology and Surgical Nephrology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova;
- Laboratory of Andrology, Functional Urology and Sexual Medicine, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Anca Maria Cimpean
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
- Center of Expertise for Rare Vascular Disease in Children, Emergency Hospital for Children Louis Turcanu, 300011 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Eugen Melnic
- Department of Pathology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova;
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