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Coursier D, Calvo F. CAFs vs. TECs: when blood feuds fuel cancer progression, dissemination and therapeutic resistance. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00931-z. [PMID: 38453816 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00931-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Neoplastic progression involves complex interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding stromal milieu, fostering microenvironments that crucially drive tumor progression and dissemination. Of these stromal constituents, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerge as predominant inhabitants within the tumor microenvironment (TME), actively shaping multiple facets of tumorigenesis, including cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, and immune evasion. Notably, CAFs also orchestrate the production of pro-angiogenic factors, fueling neovascularization to sustain the metabolic demands of proliferating cancer cells. Moreover, CAFs may also directly or indirectly affect endothelial cell behavior and vascular architecture, which may impact in tumor progression and responses to anti-cancer interventions. Conversely, tumor endothelial cells (TECs) exhibit a corrupted state that has been shown to affect cancer cell growth and inflammation. Both CAFs and TECs are emerging as pivotal regulators of the TME, engaging in multifaceted biological processes that significantly impact cancer progression, dissemination, and therapeutic responses. Yet, the intricate interplay between these stromal components and the orchestrated functions of each cell type remains incompletely elucidated. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between CAFs and TECs, discussing the challenges and prospects for leveraging their interactions towards therapeutic advancements in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Coursier
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria), Santander, Spain
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria), Santander, Spain.
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2
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Pu T, Wang J, Wei J, Zeng A, Zhang J, Chen J, Yin L, Li J, Lin TP, Melamed J, Corey E, Gao AC, Wu BJ. Stromal-derived MAOB promotes prostate cancer growth and progression. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi4935. [PMID: 38335292 PMCID: PMC10857382 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi4935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) develops in a microenvironment where the stromal cells modulate adjacent tumor growth and progression. Here, we demonstrated elevated levels of monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), a mitochondrial enzyme that degrades biogenic and dietary monoamines, in human PC stroma, which was associated with poor clinical outcomes of PC patients. Knockdown or overexpression of MAOB in human prostate stromal fibroblasts indicated that MAOB promotes cocultured PC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and co-inoculated prostate tumor growth in mice. Mechanistically, MAOB induces a reactive stroma with activated marker expression, increased extracellular matrix remodeling, and acquisition of a protumorigenic phenotype through enhanced production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, MAOB transcriptionally activates CXCL12 through Twist1 synergizing with TGFβ1-dependent Smads in prostate stroma, which stimulates tumor-expressed CXCR4-Src/JNK signaling in a paracrine manner. Pharmacological inhibition of stromal MAOB restricted PC xenograft growth in mice. Collectively, these findings characterize the contribution of MAOB to PC and suggest MAOB as a potential stroma-based therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjie Pu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
| | - Alan Zeng
- Undergraduate Programs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jinglong Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
| | - Jingrui Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
| | - Lijuan Yin
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
| | - Tzu-Ping Lin
- Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Shu-Tien Urological Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jonathan Melamed
- Department of Pathology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Allen C. Gao
- Department of Urologic Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Boyang Jason Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
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Varga AJ, Nemeth IB, Kemeny L, Varga J, Tiszlavicz L, Kumar D, Dodd S, Simpson AWM, Buknicz T, Beynon R, Simpson D, Krenacs T, Dockray GJ, Varro A. Elevated Serum Gastrin Is Associated with Melanoma Progression: Putative Role in Increased Migration and Invasion of Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16851. [PMID: 38069171 PMCID: PMC10706711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro-environmental factors, including stromal and immune cells, cytokines, and circulating hormones are well recognized to determine cancer progression. Melanoma cell growth was recently shown to be suppressed by cholecystokinin/gastrin (CCK) receptor antagonists, and our preliminary data suggested that melanoma patients with Helicobacter gastritis (which is associated with elevated serum gastrin) might have an increased risk of cancer progression. Therefore, in the present study, we examined how gastrin may act on melanoma cells. In 89 melanoma patients, we found a statistically significant association between circulating gastrin concentrations and melanoma thickness and metastasis, which are known risk factors of melanoma progression and prognosis. Immunocytochemistry using a validated antibody confirmed weak to moderate CCK2R expression in both primary malignant melanoma cells and the melanoma cell lines SK-MEL-2 and G361. Furthermore, among the 219 tumors in the Skin Cutaneous Melanoma TCGA Pan-Cancer dataset showing gastrin receptor (CCKBR) expression, significantly higher CCKBR mRNA levels were linked to stage III-IV than stage I-II melanomas. In both cell lines, gastrin increased intracellular calcium levels and stimulated cell migration and invasion through mechanisms inhibited by a CCK2 receptor antagonist. Proteomic studies identified increased MMP-2 and reduced TIMP-3 levels in response to gastrin that were likely to contribute to the increased migration of both cell lines. However, the effects of gastrin on tumor cell invasion were relatively weak in the presence of the extracellular matrix. Nevertheless, dermal fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, known also to express CCK2R, increased gastrin-induced cancer cell invasion. Our data suggest that in a subset of melanoma patients, an elevated serum gastrin concentration is a risk factor for melanoma tumor progression, and that gastrin may act on both melanoma and adjacent stromal cells through CCK2 receptors to promote mechanisms of tumor migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akos Janos Varga
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK (G.J.D.); (A.V.)
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Istvan Balazs Nemeth
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Lajos Kemeny
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Janos Varga
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Dinesh Kumar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK (G.J.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Steven Dodd
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK (G.J.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Alec W. M. Simpson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK (G.J.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Tunde Buknicz
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rob Beynon
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
| | - Deborah Simpson
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
| | - Tibor Krenacs
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Graham J. Dockray
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK (G.J.D.); (A.V.)
| | - Andrea Varro
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK (G.J.D.); (A.V.)
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Deng Z, Guo T, Bi J, Wang G, Hu Y, Du H, Zhou Y, Jia S, Xing X, Ji J. Transcriptome profiling of patient-derived tumor xenografts suggests novel extracellular matrix-related signatures for gastric cancer prognosis prediction. J Transl Med 2023; 21:638. [PMID: 37726803 PMCID: PMC10510236 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04473-0] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major obstacle to the development of personalized therapies for gastric cancer (GC) is the prevalent heterogeneity at the intra-tumor, intra-patient, and inter-patient levels. Although the pathological stage and histological subtype diagnosis can approximately predict prognosis, GC heterogeneity is rarely considered. The extracellular matrix (ECM), a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), extensively interacts with tumor and immune cells, providing a possible proxy to investigate GC heterogeneity. However, ECM consists of numerous protein components, and there are no suitable models to screen ECM-related genes contributing to tumor growth and prognosis. We constructed patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) models to obtain robust ECM-related transcriptomic signatures to improve GC prognosis prediction and therapy design. METHODS One hundred twenty two primary GC tumor tissues were collected to construct PDTX models. The tumorigenesis rate and its relationship with GC prognosis were investigated. Transcriptome profiling was performed for PDTX-originating tumors, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis was applied to extract prognostic ECM signatures and establish PDTX tumorigenicity-related gene (PTG) scores. The predictive ability of the PTG score was validated using two independent cohorts. Finally, we combined PTG score, age, and pathological stage information to establish a robust nomogram for GC prognosis prediction. RESULTS We found that PDTX tumorigenicity indicated a poor prognosis in patients with GC, even at the same pathological stage. Transcriptome profiling of PDTX-originating GC tissues and corresponding normal controls identified 383 differentially expressed genes, with enrichment of ECM-related genes. A robust prognosis prediction model using the PTG score showed robust performance in two validation cohorts. A high PTG score was associated with elevated M2 polarized macrophage and cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration. Finally, combining the PTG score with age and TNM stage resulted in a more effective prognostic model than age or TNM stage alone. CONCLUSIONS We found that ECM-related signatures may contribute to PDTX tumorigenesis and indicate a poor prognosis in GC. A feasible survival prediction model was built based on the PTG score, which was associated with immune cell infiltration. Together with patient ages and pathological TNM stages, PTG score could be a new approach for GC prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqian Deng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiwang Bi
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Gangjian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Hu
- Biological Sample Bank, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuqin Jia
- Department of Molecular Diagnosis, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaofang Xing
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiafu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Jiang XF, Jiang WJ. The construction and validation of ECM-related prognosis model in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19907. [PMID: 37809868 PMCID: PMC10559327 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a kind of common and aggressive tumor with high mortality. The application of molecular biomarkers is useful for the early diagnosis and treatment of LSCC. Methods The expression and clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to discriminate between LSCC and normal samples. The hub genes were screened out through univariate and multivariate cox analyses. The Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to validate the predictive performance. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were used to determine the enrichment function. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed in STRING. The immune analysis was performed by ESTIMATE, IPS and xCELL. The drug sensitivity was identified with GSCA database. Results We identified that 47 extracellular matrix (ECM) genes were differentially expressed in LSCC compared with normal group. Univariate and multivariate cox analysis determined that leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 4 (LGI4), matrilin 4 (MATN4), microfibrillar-associated protein 2 (MFAP2) and fibrinogen like 2 (FGL2) were closely related to the disease free survival (DSS) of LSCC. ROC curve determined that the risk model has a good predictive performance. PPI network showed the top 100 genes with high correlation of hub genes. The ssGSEA, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses determined that immune response was significantly involved in the development of LSCC. Immune infiltration analysis showed that most immune cells and immune checkpoints were inhibited in high risk score group. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that MATN4, FGL2 and LGI4 were negatively related to various drugs, while MFAP2 was positively related to many drugs. Conclusion We established a risk model constructed with four ECM-related genes, which could effectively predict the prognosis of LSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Fan Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Center of Otolaryngology-head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wen-Jing Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Center of Otolaryngology-head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
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Iurchenko NP, Nesina IP, Glushchenko NМ, Buchynska LG. ROLE OF STROMAL MICROENVIRONMENT IN THE FORMATION OF INVASIVE, ANGIOGENIC, AND METASTATIC POTENTIAL OF ENDOMETRIOID CARCINOMA OF ENDOMETRIUM. Exp Oncol 2023; 45:51-61. [PMID: 37417282 DOI: 10.15407/exp-oncology.2023.01.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the association of indicators of the progression of endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium (ECE) with the type of stromal microenvironment, the counts of CXCL12+ fibroblasts and CD163+ macrophages, and the expression of the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Histological preparations of ECE samples (n = 51) were analyzed. Expression of CXCL2 and CXCR4 antigens in tumor cells, the content of CXCL12+ fibroblasts and CD163+ macrophages, and the density of microvessels were determined by the immunohistochemical method. RESULTS Groups of ECE with desmoplastic and inflammatory stromal reactions were delineated. The majority (80.0%) of tumors with desmoplasia were of low differentiation grade, deeply invading the myometrium; 65.0% of patients with these tumors were at stage III of the disease. In ECE cases of stages I-II, 77.4% of ECE showed an inflammatory type of stroma. The high angiogenic and invasive potential of EC of stages I-II was associated with an inflammatory stromal type, high counts of CD163+ macrophages and CXCL12+ fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment, high expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, and reduced expression of its ligand CXCL12 in tumor cells. In the majority of EC of stage III, the increase in angiogenic, invasive, and metastatic potential was accompanied by the presence of desmoplastic stroma, increased expression of CXCR4 in tumor cells, and a high count of CXCL12+ fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS The obtained results showed that the morphological architecture of the stromal ECE component is related to the molecular features of its constituents and tumor cells. Their interaction modulates the phenotypic characteristics of ECE associated with the degree of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- N P Iurchenko
- R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv 03022, Ukraine
| | - I P Nesina
- R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv 03022, Ukraine
| | - N М Glushchenko
- R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv 03022, Ukraine
| | - L G Buchynska
- R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv 03022, Ukraine
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Nicolini G, Balzan S, Forini F. Activated fibroblasts in cardiac and cancer fibrosis: An overview of analogies and new potential therapeutic options. Life Sci 2023; 321:121575. [PMID: 36933828 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Heart disease and cancer are two major causes of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries, and their increasingly recognized connections are shifting the focus from single disease studies to an interdisciplinary approach. Fibroblast-mediated intercellular crosstalk is critically involved in the evolution of both pathologies. In healthy myocardium and in non-cancerous conditions, resident fibroblasts are the main cell source for synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and important sentinels of tissue integrity. In the setting of myocardial disease or cancer, quiescent fibroblasts activate, respectively, into myofibroblasts (myoFbs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), characterized by increased production of contractile proteins, and by a highly proliferative and secretory phenotype. Although the initial activation of myoFbs/CAFs is an adaptive process to repair the damaged tissue, massive deposition of ECM proteins leads to maladaptive cardiac or cancer fibrosis, a recognized marker of adverse outcome. A better understanding of the key mechanisms orchestrating fibroblast hyperactivity may help developing innovative therapeutic options to restrain myocardial or tumor stiffness and improve patient prognosis. Albeit still unappreciated, the dynamic transition of myocardial and tumor fibroblasts into myoFbs and CAFs shares several common triggers and signaling pathways relevant to TGF-β dependent cascade, metabolic reprogramming, mechanotransduction, secretory properties, and epigenetic regulation, which might lay the foundation for future antifibrotic intervention. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight emerging analogies in the molecular signature underlying myoFbs and CAFs activation with the purpose of identifying novel prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers, and to elucidate the potential of drug repositioning strategies to mitigate cardiac/cancer fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvana Balzan
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Forini
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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Devarasou S, Kang M, Kwon TY, Cho Y, Shin JH. Fibrous Matrix Architecture-Dependent Activation of Fibroblasts with a Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-like Phenotype. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:280-291. [PMID: 36573928 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most prevalent cell types within the tumor microenvironment (TME). While several physicochemical cues from the TME, including growth factors, cytokines, and ECM specificity, have been identified as essential factors for CAF activation, the precise mechanism of how the ECM architecture regulates CAF initiation remains elusive. Using a gelatin-based electrospun fiber mesh, we examined the effect of matrix fiber density on CAF activation induced by MCF-7 conditioned media (CM). A less dense (3D) gelatin mesh matrix facilitated better activation of dermal fibroblasts into a CAF-like phenotype in the CM than a highly dense (3D) gelatin mesh matrix. In addition, it was discovered that CAF activation on the less dense (LD) matrix is dependent on the cell size-related AKT/mTOR signaling cascade, accompanied by an increase in intracellular tension within the well-spread fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Yoon Kwon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngbin Cho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jennifer H Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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Xu Q, Wang J, Wang J, Zhu Y, Chen B, Guo R, Qian Y, Yuan H, Liu F. A Pan-Cancer Analysis to Provide Insight into the Immunological Role and Prognostic Value of HTRA3. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr 2023; 33:57-75. [PMID: 37606164 DOI: 10.1615/critreveukaryotgeneexpr.2023048936] [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: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
High-temperature requirement factor A3 (HTRA3), a member of the HTRA protein family, is closely associated with apoptosis and plays a crucial role in controlling signal transmission and cancer development. However, the regulatory pathways of HTRA3 in tumors are not fully understood, necessitating a comprehensive analysis of HTRA3 in cancers. In this study, we conducted a multi-omics analysis of HTRA3 in pan-cancer using data from various databases including TCGA, cBioPortal, GeneMANIA, DAVID, TIMER2.0, SangerBox, and RNAactDrug. Our analysis included gene expression, survival prognosis, diagnostic value, mutation, gene-gene interaction, enrichment analysis, and drug sensitivity analysis. We found that HTRA3 is aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers and significantly correlates with diagnosis, prognosis, TMB, MSI, immune checkpoint (ICP) genes, and drug sensitivity in various cancer types. HTRA3 is involved in a variety of cancer pathways, particularly extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations, and has a potential role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). HTRA3 expression is positively correlated with the abundance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment, and is also positively correlated with immune scores, stromal scores, and ESTIMATE scores in multiple cancers. HTRA3 is often overexpressed in cancer and is associated with poor prognosis and regulation of the tumor's immune response. Therefore, it may serve as a novel biomarker for tumor diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Jiale Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yukuan Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Harbin Fifth Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Baihui Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Runzhao Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Qian
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Haiyu Yuan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
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10
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Wong KY, Cheung AH, Chen B, Chan WN, Yu J, Lo KW, Kang W, To KF. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in nonsmall cell lung cancer: From molecular mechanisms to clinical implications. Int J Cancer 2022; 151:1195-1215. [PMID: 35603909 PMCID: PMC9545594 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the common and leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The tumor microenvironment has been recognized to be instrumental in tumorigenesis. To have a deep understanding of the molecular mechanism of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained increasing research interests. CAFs belong to the crucial and dominant cell population in the tumor microenvironment to support the cancer cells. The interplay and partnership between cancer cells and CAFs contribute to each stage of tumorigenesis. CAFs exhibit prominent heterogeneity and secrete different kinds of cytokines and chemokines, growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. Many studies focused on the protumorigenic functions of CAFs, yet many challenges about the heterogeneity of CAFS remain unresolved. This review comprehensively summarized the tumor-promoting role and molecular mechanisms of CAFs in NSCLC, including their origin, phenotypic changes and heterogeneity and their functional roles in carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, we also highlighted the updated molecular classifications based on the molecular features and functional roles of CAFs. With the development of cutting-edge platforms and further investigations of CAFs, novel therapeutic strategies for accurately targeting CAFs in NSCLC may be developed based on the increased understanding of the relevant molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Yee Wong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Alvin Ho‐Kwan Cheung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Bonan Chen
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Wai Nok Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Department of Medicine and TherapeuticsThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
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11
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“Fingerprinting” Benign and Cancerous Skin Lesions Using Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography: Differentiation among Cancerous Lesion Types Based on the Presence of New Cells, Blood Vessels, and Fibrosis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101332. [DOI: 10.3390/biom12101332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we use vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT) to examine the morphology and stiffness of benign and cancerous lesions. Lesion images and 3D plots of weighted displacement versus frequency and depth were used to compare the cellular, dermal collagen, new blood vessels, and fibrotic composition of normal skin, actinic keratoses (AK), nodular and superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and melanomas. The results of this study suggest that benign and cancerous lesions differ based on the addition of new cells with increased resonant frequency and stiffness (80Hz, 1.8MPa), new blood vessel peaks (130Hz, 4.10MPa) that appear to be less stiff than normal blood vessels, and new fibrous tissue peaks (260Hz, 15–17 MPa) that are present in carcinomas but not in normal skin and only partially present (80Hz and 130Hz only) in AKs. Results obtained by creating images based on the location of the 80Hz, 130Hz, and 260Hz peaks of cancerous skin lesions suggest that the fibrous tissue appears to surround the new cells and new lesion blood vessels. The results of this study suggest that the morphology and location of the fibrous tissues in relation to the new cancer-associated cells and lesion blood vessels may provide information on the invasiveness and metastatic potential of skin cancers. The invasiveness and metastatic potential of melanomas may be a result of the cancer-associated cells laying down fibrous tissue that is used as a pathway for migration. The new cancer-associated blood vessels in the vicinity of the new cancer-associated cells may promote this migration and eventual metastasis. The ratios of peak heights 50/130Hz and 80/130Hz of normal cells, new lesion cells, new lesion blood vessels, and fibrotic tissue may be used as a “fingerprint” for detecting melanoma and to differentiate it from other skin cancers non-invasively using VOCT.
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12
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Chen XM, Liu YY, Tao BY, Xue XM, Zhang XX, Wang LL, Zhong H, Zhang J, Yang SM, Jiang QQ. NT5E upregulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A novel biomarker on cancer-associated fibroblasts for predicting immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:975847. [PMID: 36091055 PMCID: PMC9458906 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.975847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous progress made in the diagnosis and managements, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remains a global medical dilemma with dismal clinical prognosis and high mortality. Gene NT5E encodes the ecto-5’-nucleotidase (CD73), which facilitates the formation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) permissive for tumor progression in various malignancies. Nevertheless, the cell subsets NT5E expressed on and the potential function of NT5E in the TME of HNSC remain virgin lands in HNSC. In this study, we comprehensively performed integrated prognostic analysis and elucidated that NT5E was an independent prognostic indicator for HNSC, for which a high NT5E level predicted poor overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression-free interval (PFI) in HNSC patients (p<0.05). Enrichment analyses revealed the close correlation between NT5E and ECM remodeling, and the latent function of NT5E may involve in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis during HNSC progression. HNSC-related immune infiltration analysis and single-cell type analysis demonstrated that NT5E expression was significantly positively associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in HNSC (p<0.01). NT5E-related TME analysis revealed that NT5E-high group are characterized by low neoantigen loads (NAL, p<0.001) and tumor mutation burden (TMB, p<0.01), indicating high-NT5E-expression HNSC patients may be recalcitrant to immunotherapy. In-situ multicolor immunofluorescence staining was later conducted and the results further verified our findings. Taken together, NT5E could be a novel biomarker in HNSC. Predominantly expressed on CAFs, the upregulation of NT5E might predict an immunosuppressive TME for HNSC patients who may benefit little from immunotherapy. Targeting CAFs with high NT5E expression might be a novel therapeutic strategy for HNSC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-min Chen
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-yang Liu
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bing-yan Tao
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-miao Xue
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-xin Zhang
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Lin-lin Wang
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhong
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Qing-qing Jiang, ; Shi-ming Yang, ; Jun Zhang,
| | - Shi-ming Yang
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Qing-qing Jiang, ; Shi-ming Yang, ; Jun Zhang,
| | - Qing-qing Jiang
- Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, State Key Lab of Hearing Science, Beijing Key Lab of Hearing Impairment Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Qing-qing Jiang, ; Shi-ming Yang, ; Jun Zhang,
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13
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HSP90 as a regulator of extracellular matrix dynamics. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2611-2625. [PMID: 34913470 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and organised extracellular network assembled from proteins and carbohydrates exported from the cell. The ECM is critical for multicellular life, providing spatial and temporal cellular cues to maintain tissue homeostasis. Consequently, ECM production must be carefully balanced with turnover to ensure homeostasis; ECM dysfunction culminates in disease. Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone central to protein homeostasis, including in the ECM. Intracellular and extracellular Hsp90 isoforms collaborate to regulate the levels and status of proteins in the ECM via multiple mechanisms. In so doing, Hsp90 regulates ECM dynamics, and changes in Hsp90 levels or activity support the development of ECM-related diseases, like cancer and fibrosis. Consequently, Hsp90 levels may have prognostic value, while inhibition of Hsp90 may have therapeutic potential in conditions characterised by ECM dysfunction.
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14
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Mao X, Xu J, Wang W, Liang C, Hua J, Liu J, Zhang B, Meng Q, Yu X, Shi S. Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment: new findings and future perspectives. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:131. [PMID: 34635121 PMCID: PMC8504100 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 768] [Impact Index Per Article: 256.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a stromal cell population with cell-of-origin, phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, are the most essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Through multiple pathways, activated CAFs can promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, along with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and even chemoresistance. Numerous previous studies have confirmed the critical role of the interaction between CAFs and tumor cells in tumorigenesis and development. However, recently, the mutual effects of CAFs and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have been identified as another key factor in promoting tumor progression. The TIME mainly consists of distinct immune cell populations in tumor islets and is highly associated with the antitumor immunological state in the TME. CAFs interact with tumor-infiltrating immune cells as well as other immune components within the TIME via the secretion of various cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, exosomes and other effector molecules, consequently shaping an immunosuppressive TME that enables cancer cells to evade surveillance of the immune system. In-depth studies of CAFs and immune microenvironment interactions, particularly the complicated mechanisms connecting CAFs with immune cells, might provide novel strategies for subsequent targeted immunotherapies. Herein, we shed light on recent advances regarding the direct and indirect crosstalk between CAFs and infiltrating immune cells and further summarize the possible immunoinhibitory mechanisms induced by CAFs in the TME. In addition, we present current related CAF-targeting immunotherapies and briefly describe some future perspectives on CAF research in the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Mao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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15
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Matrix Stiffness Modulates Metabolic Interaction between Human Stromal and Breast Cancer Cells to Stimulate Epithelial Motility. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11070432. [PMID: 34357326 PMCID: PMC8308000 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11070432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast tumors belong to the type of desmoplastic lesion in which a stiffer tissue structure is a determinant of breast cancer progression and constitutes a risk factor for breast cancer development. It has been proposed that cancer-associated stromal cells (responsible for this fibrotic phenomenon) are able to metabolize glucose via lactate production, which supports the catabolic metabolism of cancer cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible functional link between these two processes. To measure the effect of matrix rigidity on metabolic determinations, we used compliant elastic polyacrylamide gels as a substrate material, to which matrix molecules were covalently linked. We evaluated metabolite transport in stromal cells using two different FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) nanosensors specific for glucose and lactate. Cell migration/invasion was evaluated using Transwell devices. We show that increased stiffness stimulates lactate production and glucose uptake by mammary fibroblasts. This response was correlated with the expression of stromal glucose transporter Glut1 and monocarboxylate transporters MCT4. Moreover, mammary stromal cells cultured on stiff matrices generated soluble factors that stimulated epithelial breast migration in a stiffness-dependent manner. Using a normal breast stromal cell line, we found that a stiffer extracellular matrix favors the acquisition mechanistical properties that promote metabolic reprograming and also constitute a stimulus for epithelial motility. This new knowledge will help us to better understand the complex relationship between fibrosis, metabolic reprogramming, and cancer malignancy.
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16
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Kemper M, Schiecke A, Maar H, Nikulin S, Poloznikov A, Galatenko V, Tachezy M, Gebauer F, Lange T, Riecken K, Tonevitsky A, Aigner A, Izbicki J, Schumacher U, Wicklein D. Integrin alpha-V is an important driver in pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:214. [PMID: 34174926 PMCID: PMC8235815 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01946-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Mesothelial E- and P-selectins substantially mediate the intraperitoneal spread of Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells in xenograft models. In the absence of selectins in the host, the integrin subunit alpha-V (ITGAV, CD51) was upregulated in the remaining metastatic deposits. Here we present the first experimental study to investigate if ITGAV plays a functional role in PDA tumor growth and progression with a particular focus on intraperitoneal carcinomatosis. Methods Knockdown of ITGAV was generated using an RNA interference-mediated approach in two PDA cell lines. Tumor growth, intraperitoneal and distant metastasis were analyzed in a xenograft model. Cell lines were characterized in vitro. Gene expression of the xenograft tumors was analyzed. Patient samples were histologically classified and associations to survival were evaluated. Results The knockdown of ITGAV in PDA cells strongly reduces primary tumor growth, peritoneal carcinomatosis and spontaneous pulmonary metastasis. ITGAV activates latent TGF-β and thereby drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Combined depletion of ITGAV on the tumor cells and E- and P-selectins in the tumor-host synergistically almost abolishes intraperitoneal spread. Accordingly, high expression of ITGAV in PDA cells was associated with reduced survival in patients. Conclusion Combined depletion of ITGAV in PDA cells and E- and P-selectins in host mice massively suppresses intraperitoneal carcinomatosis of PDA cells xenografted into immunodeficient mice, confirming the hypothesis of a partly redundant adhesion cascade of metastasizing cancer cells. Our data strongly encourage developing novel therapeutic approaches for the combined targeting of E- and P-selectins and ITGAV in PDA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01946-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Kemper
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. .,Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Alina Schiecke
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Maar
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sergey Nikulin
- Dmitry Rogachev Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Poloznikov
- Dmitry Rogachev Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Galatenko
- Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Michael Tachezy
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Gebauer
- Department of General, Visceral and Tumor Surgery, University Hospital Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Tobias Lange
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Tonevitsky
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Achim Aigner
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jakob Izbicki
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Wicklein
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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17
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Adjuto-Saccone M, Soubeyran P, Garcia J, Audebert S, Camoin L, Rubis M, Roques J, Binétruy B, Iovanna JL, Tournaire R. TNF-α induces endothelial-mesenchymal transition promoting stromal development of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:649. [PMID: 34172716 PMCID: PMC8233393 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03920-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an important source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which facilitates tumour progression. PDAC is characterised by abundant CAFs and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Here, we show that TNF-α strongly induces human endothelial cells to undergo EndMT. Interestingly, TNF-α strongly downregulates the expression of the endothelial receptor TIE1, and reciprocally TIE1 overexpression partially prevents TNF-α-induced EndMT, suggesting that TNF-α acts, at least partially, through TIE1 regulation in this process. We also show that TNF-α-induced EndMT is reversible. Furthermore, TNF-α treatment of orthotopic mice resulted in an important increase in the stroma, including CAFs. Finally, secretome analysis identified TNFSF12, as a regulator that is also present in PDAC patients. With the aim of restoring normal angiogenesis and better access to drugs, our results support the development of therapies targeting CAFs or inducing the EndMT reversion process in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Adjuto-Saccone
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Soubeyran
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Julie Garcia
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Audebert
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Marseille Protéomique, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Luc Camoin
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Marseille Protéomique, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Rubis
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Julie Roques
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Binétruy
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Aix-Marseille Université, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Juan Lucio Iovanna
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Roselyne Tournaire
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France.
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18
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Local Immune Changes in Early Stages of Inflammation and Carcinogenesis Correlate with the Collagen Scaffold Changes of the Colon Mucosa. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102463. [PMID: 34070183 PMCID: PMC8158480 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chronic colitis and colon cancer develop for alteration of the mucosa homeostatic regulation, also involving TGF-β1. Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis animal models allow for the investigation of the pathological evolution steps. Since chronic inflammation is a common factor, we aimed to explore in rat models the colon mucosa immunological and structural conditions at one month after the end of the inductions, a transition period between acute effects and established lesions. We found, in comparison to healthy controls, downregulation of inflammatory cytokines (except IL-6) and of TGF-β1. At the same time, the collagen scaffold was significantly remodelled in both groups. We conclude that the pro-inflammatory cytokines, in front of a downregulated TGF-β1, sustained a smouldering inflammation with structural changes preparing the niche of both pathologies (ulcerative colitis with fibrosis; tumour). The collagen scaffold changes pointing to an unnoticed inflammation may be suggested as a possible pre-neoplastic condition marker. Abstract Continuous activation of the immune system inside a tissue can lead to remodelling of the tissue structure and creation of a specific microenvironment, such as during the tumour development. Chronic inflammation is a central player in stimulating changes that alter the tissue stroma and can lead to fibrotic evolution. In the colon mucosa, regulatory mechanisms, including TGF-β1, avoid damaging inflammation in front of the continuous challenge by the intestinal microbiome. Inducing either DSS colitis or AOM colorectal carcinogenesis in AVN-Wistar rats, we evaluated at one month after the end of each treatment whether immunological changes and remodelling of the collagen scaffold were already in development. At this time point, we found in both models a general downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and even of TGF-β1, but not of IL-6. Moreover, we demonstrated by multi-photon microscopy the simultaneously presence of pro-fibrotic remodelling of the collagen scaffold, with measurable changes in comparison to the control mucosa. The scaffold was significantly modified depending on the type of induced stimulation. These results suggest that at one month after the end of the DSS or AOM inductions, a smouldering inflammation is present in both induced conditions, since the pro-inflammatory cytokines still exceed, in proportion, the local homeostatic regulation of which TGF-β1 is a part (inflammatory threshold). Such an inflammation appears sufficient to sustain remodelling of the collagen scaffold that may be taken as a possible pathological marker for revealing pre-neoplastic inflammation.
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Constanzo J, Faget J, Ursino C, Badie C, Pouget JP. Radiation-Induced Immunity and Toxicities: The Versatility of the cGAS-STING Pathway. Front Immunol 2021; 12:680503. [PMID: 34079557 PMCID: PMC8165314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.680503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, radiation therapy (RT) entered the era of personalized medicine, following the striking improvements in radiation delivery and treatment planning optimization, and in the understanding of the cancer response, including the immunological response. The next challenge is to identify the optimal radiation regimen(s) to induce a clinically relevant anti-tumor immunity response. Organs at risks and the tumor microenvironment (e.g. endothelial cells, macrophages and fibroblasts) often limit the radiation regimen effects due to adverse toxicities. Here, we reviewed how RT can modulate the immune response involved in the tumor control and side effects associated with inflammatory processes. Moreover, we discussed the versatile roles of tumor microenvironment components during RT, how the innate immune sensing of RT-induced genotoxicity, through the cGAS-STING pathway, might link the anti-tumor immune response, radiation-induced necrosis and radiation-induced fibrosis, and how a better understanding of the switch between favorable and deleterious events might help to define innovative approaches to increase RT benefits in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Constanzo
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Julien Faget
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Chiara Ursino
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Badie
- Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Group, Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical & Environmental Hazards Public Health England Chilton, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Pierre Pouget
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Martinez J, Smith PC. The Dynamic Interaction between Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Breast Tumor Progression. Cells 2021; 10:1046. [PMID: 33946660 PMCID: PMC8145942 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic tumors correspond to a unique tissue structure characterized by the abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix. Breast tumors are a typical example of this type of lesion, a property that allows its palpation and early detection. Fibrillar type I collagen is a major component of tumor desmoplasia and its accumulation is causally linked to tumor cell survival and metastasis. For many years, the desmoplastic phenomenon was considered to be a reaction and response of the host tissue against tumor cells and, accordingly, designated as "desmoplastic reaction". This notion has been challenged in the last decades when desmoplastic tissue was detected in breast tissue in the absence of tumor. This finding suggests that desmoplasia is a preexisting condition that stimulates the development of a malignant phenotype. With this perspective, in the present review, we analyze the role of extracellular matrix remodeling in the development of the desmoplastic response. Importantly, during the discussion, we also analyze the impact of obesity and cell metabolism as critical drivers of tissue remodeling during the development of desmoplasia. New knowledge derived from the dynamic remodeling of the extracellular matrix may lead to novel targets of interest for early diagnosis or therapy in the context of breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Martinez
- Cell Biology Laboratory, INTA, University of Chile, Santiago 7810000, Chile
| | - Patricio C. Smith
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
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21
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Harnessing Extracellular Matrix Biology for Tumor Drug Delivery. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11020088. [PMID: 33572559 PMCID: PMC7911184 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11020088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an active role in cell life through a tightly controlled reciprocal relationship maintained by several fibrous proteins, enzymes, receptors, and other components. It is also highly involved in cancer progression. Because of its role in cancer etiology, the ECM holds opportunities for cancer therapy on several fronts. There are targets in the tumor-associated ECM at the level of signaling molecules, enzyme expression, protein structure, receptor interactions, and others. In particular, the ECM is implicated in invasiveness of tumors through its signaling interactions with cells. By capitalizing on the biology of the tumor microenvironment and the opportunities it presents for intervention, the ECM has been investigated as a therapeutic target, to facilitate drug delivery, and as a prognostic or diagnostic marker for tumor progression and therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes the tumor ECM biology as it relates to drug delivery with emphasis on design parameters targeting the ECM.
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Niland S, Eble JA. Hold on or Cut? Integrin- and MMP-Mediated Cell-Matrix Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010238. [PMID: 33379400 PMCID: PMC7794804 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) has become the focus of interest in cancer research and treatment. It includes the extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM-modifying enzymes that are secreted by cancer and neighboring cells. The ECM serves both to anchor the tumor cells embedded in it and as a means of communication between the various cellular and non-cellular components of the TME. The cells of the TME modify their surrounding cancer-characteristic ECM. This in turn provides feedback to them via cellular receptors, thereby regulating, together with cytokines and exosomes, differentiation processes as well as tumor progression and spread. Matrix remodeling is accomplished by altering the repertoire of ECM components and by biophysical changes in stiffness and tension caused by ECM-crosslinking and ECM-degrading enzymes, in particular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These can degrade ECM barriers or, by partial proteolysis, release soluble ECM fragments called matrikines, which influence cells inside and outside the TME. This review examines the changes in the ECM of the TME and the interaction between cells and the ECM, with a particular focus on MMPs.
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Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Versatile Players in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092652. [PMID: 32957515 PMCID: PMC7564346 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key players in the tumor microenvironment. They are responsible for potentiating growth and metastasis through versatile functions, including maintenance of the extracellular matrix, blood vessel formation, modulation of tumor metabolism, suppression of antitumor immunity, and promotion of chemotherapy resistance. As such, CAFs are associated with poor prognosis and have emerged as a focus of anticancer research. In this review, we discuss the origins of CAFs, their heterogenous subtypes and their properties. We then detail the current state of preclinical and clinical research targeting CAF activities. We believe the limited efficacy of current cancer therapeutic approaches is driven by an incomplete understanding of CAF functions and by a nonstandardized CAF classification system. Therefore, we suggest a unified CAF classification based on specific functions to develop a new class of therapies that will focus on targeting the pro-tumorigenic properties of CAFs during tumor progression. Abstract Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are indispensable architects of the tumor microenvironment. They perform the essential functions of extracellular matrix deposition, stromal remodeling, tumor vasculature modulation, modification of tumor metabolism, and participation in crosstalk between cancer and immune cells. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the principal differences between normal fibroblasts and CAFs, the origin of CAFs, their functions, and ultimately, highlight the intimate connection of CAFs to virtually all of the hallmarks of cancer. We address the remarkable degree of functional diversity and phenotypic plasticity displayed by CAFs and strive to stratify CAF biology among different tumor types into practical functional groups. Finally, we summarize the status of recent and ongoing trials of CAF-directed therapies and contend that the paucity of trials resulting in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals thus far is a consequence of the failure to identify targets exclusive of pro-tumorigenic CAF phenotypes that are mechanistically linked to specific CAF functions. We believe that the development of a unified CAF nomenclature, the standardization of functional assays to assess the loss-of-function of CAF properties, and the establishment of rigorous definitions of CAF subpopulations and their mechanistic functions in cancer progression will be crucial to fully realize the promise of CAF-targeted therapies.
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Mierke CT. Mechanical Cues Affect Migration and Invasion of Cells From Three Different Directions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:583226. [PMID: 33043017 PMCID: PMC7527720 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.583226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration and invasion is a key driving factor for providing essential cellular functions under physiological conditions or the malignant progression of tumors following downward the metastatic cascade. Although there has been plentiful of molecules identified to support the migration and invasion of cells, the mechanical aspects have not yet been explored in a combined and systematic manner. In addition, the cellular environment has been classically and frequently assumed to be homogeneous for reasons of simplicity. However, motility assays have led to various models for migration covering only some aspects and supporting factors that in some cases also include mechanical factors. Instead of specific models, in this review, a more or less holistic model for cell motility in 3D is envisioned covering all these different aspects with a special emphasis on the mechanical cues from a biophysical perspective. After introducing the mechanical aspects of cell migration and invasion and presenting the heterogeneity of extracellular matrices, the three distinct directions of cell motility focusing on the mechanical aspects are presented. These three different directions are as follows: firstly, the commonly used invasion tests using structural and structure-based mechanical environmental signals; secondly, the mechano-invasion assay, in which cells are studied by mechanical forces to migrate and invade; and thirdly, cell mechanics, including cytoskeletal and nuclear mechanics, to influence cell migration and invasion. Since the interaction between the cell and the microenvironment is bi-directional in these assays, these should be accounted in migration and invasion approaches focusing on the mechanical aspects. Beyond this, there is also the interaction between the cytoskeleton of the cell and its other compartments, such as the cell nucleus. In specific, a three-element approach is presented for addressing the effect of mechanics on cell migration and invasion by including the effect of the mechano-phenotype of the cytoskeleton, nucleus and the cell's microenvironment into the analysis. In precise terms, the combination of these three research approaches including experimental techniques seems to be promising for revealing bi-directional impacts of mechanical alterations of the cellular microenvironment on cells and internal mechanical fluctuations or changes of cells on the surroundings. Finally, different approaches are discussed and thereby a model for the broad impact of mechanics on cell migration and invasion is evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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25
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HSP90 Interacts with the Fibronectin N-terminal Domains and Increases Matrix Formation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020272. [PMID: 31979118 PMCID: PMC7072298 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an evolutionarily conserved chaperone protein that controls the function and stability of a wide range of cellular client proteins. Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular client protein of HSP90, and exogenous HSP90 or inhibitors of HSP90 alter the morphology of the extracellular matrix. Here, we further characterized the HSP90 and FN interaction. FN bound to the M domain of HSP90 and interacted with both the open and closed HSP90 conformations; and the interaction was reduced in the presence of sodium molybdate. HSP90 interacted with the N-terminal regions of FN, which are known to be important for matrix assembly. The highest affinity interaction was with the 30-kDa (heparin-binding) FN fragment, which also showed the greatest colocalization in cells and accommodated both HSP90 and heparin in the complex. The strength of interaction with HSP90 was influenced by the inherent stability of the FN fragments, together with the type of motif, where HSP90 preferentially bound the type-I FN repeat over the type-II repeat. Exogenous extracellular HSP90 led to increased incorporation of both full-length and 70-kDa fragments of FN into fibrils. Together, our data suggested that HSP90 may regulate FN matrix assembly through its interaction with N-terminal FN fragments.
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26
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Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Putative Role for the EBV-Encoded Oncoprotein, LMP1. Pathogens 2019; 9:pathogens9010008. [PMID: 31861782 PMCID: PMC7168608 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is 100% associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, and biopsies display variable levels of expression of the viral oncoprotein, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). Emerging evidence suggests an important role for cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the NPC tumour microenvironment, yet the interaction between the virus, its latent gene products and the recruitment and activation of CAFs in the NPC tumour stroma remains unclear. This short review will discuss the current evidence for the importance of CAFs in NPC pathogenesis and outline a putative role for the EBV-encoded oncoprotein, LMP1, in governing tumour–stromal interactions.
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Ma Y, Pu Y, Peng L, Luo X, Xu J, Peng Y, Tang X. Identification of potential hub genes associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma using bioinformatics meta-analysis of multi-platform datasets. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:6741-6751. [PMID: 31807183 PMCID: PMC6876339 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant type of cancer with a low five-year survival rate. Gene alterations are crucial to the molecular pathogenesis of PDAC. Therefore, the present study analyzed gene expression profiles to reveal genes involved in the tumorigenesis of PDAC. A total of eight gene expression profiles (GSE15471, GSE16515, GSE41368, GSE62165, GSE62452, GSE71729, GSE71989 and GSE91035) and a PDAC dataset were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using functional annotation, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction. A Cox proportional hazards model was then constructed and used to analyze the data. A total of 136 DEGs (67 up- and 69 downregulated genes) were identified between PDAC tissues and normal tissues. The ‘extracellular matrix-related’ genes were the most enriched in the GO term analysis. ‘Pancreatic secretion’, ‘phosphoinositide-3-kinase–protein kinase B/Akt (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway’, ‘protein digestion and absorption’ and ‘ECM-receptor interaction’ were the most enriched categories in KEGG pathway analysis. Following PPI network construction, the 10 most significant genes [albumin, epidermal growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, epidermal growth factor receptor, fibronectin 1, MMP1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, plasminogen activator urokinase (PLAU) and PLAU receptor) exhibiting a high degree of connectivity, were identified as the hub genes likely to be associated with the pathogenesis of PDAC. In addition, a prognostic predictive system for PDAC, composed of five genes (laminin subunit γ 2, laminin subunit β 3, serpin family B member 5, amphiregulin and secreted frizzled related protein 4), was constructed. This was validated in the GSE62452 dataset (using 66 PDAC samples with outcome data) and TCGA PDAC dataset (using 146 PDAC samples with outcome data). In conclusion, the present study revealed potential hub genes involved in PDAC progression, providing directive significance for individualized clinical decision-making and molecular-targeting therapy in patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646099, P.R. China
| | - Yinquan Pu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646099, P.R. China
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646099, P.R. China
| | - Xujuan Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646099, P.R. China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646099, P.R. China
| | - Yan Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646099, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646099, P.R. China
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De Vincenzo A, Belli S, Franco P, Telesca M, Iaccarino I, Botti G, Carriero MV, Ranson M, Stoppelli MP. Paracrine recruitment and activation of fibroblasts by c-Myc expressing breast epithelial cells through the IGFs/IGF-1R axis. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:2827-2839. [PMID: 31381136 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are among the most abundant stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), progressively differentiating into activated, motile, myofibroblast-like, protumorigenic cells referred to as Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs). To investigate the mechanisms by which epithelial cells direct this transition, the early stages of tumorigenesis were exemplified by indirect cocultures of WI-38 or human primary breast cancer fibroblasts with human mammary epithelial cells expressing an inducible c-Myc oncogene (MCF10A-MycER). After c-Myc activation, the conditioned medium (CM) of MCF10A-MycER cells significantly enhanced fibroblast activation and mobilization. As this was accompanied by decreased insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 (IGFBP-6) and increased insulin-like growth factor-1 and IGF-II (IGF-I, IGF-II) in the CM, IGFs were investigated as key chemotactic factors. Silencing IGFBP-6 or IGF-I or IGF-II expression in epithelial cells or blocking Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) activity on fibroblasts significantly altered fibroblast mobilization. Exposure of WI-38 fibroblasts to CM from induced MCF10A-MycER cells or to IGF-II upregulated FAK phosphorylation on Tyr397 , as well as the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), features associated with CAF phenotype and increased cell migratory/invasive behavior. In three-dimensional (3D)-organotypic assays, WI-38 or human primary fibroblasts, preactivated with either CM from MCF10A-MycER cells or IGFs, resulted in a permissive TME that enabled nontransformed MCF10A matrix invasion. This effect was abolished by inhibiting IGF-1R activity. Thus, breast epithelial cell oncogenic activation and stromal fibroblast transition to CAFs are linked through the IGFs/IGF-1R axis, which directly promotes TME remodeling and increases tumor invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna De Vincenzo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Belli
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Franco
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Marialucia Telesca
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Ingram Iaccarino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", National Research Council, Naples, Italy.,Hematopathology Section, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS National Cancer Institute "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria V Carriero
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS National Cancer Institute "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Marie Ranson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Patrizia Stoppelli
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", National Research Council, Naples, Italy
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Peláez R, Pariente A, Pérez-Sala Á, Larrayoz IM. Integrins: Moonlighting Proteins in Invadosome Formation. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050615. [PMID: 31052560 PMCID: PMC6562994 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Invadopodia are actin-rich protrusions developed by transformed cells in 2D/3D environments that are implicated in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and degradation. These structures have an undoubted association with cancer invasion and metastasis because invadopodium formation in vivo is a key step for intra/extravasation of tumor cells. Invadopodia are closely related to other actin-rich structures known as podosomes, which are typical structures of normal cells necessary for different physiological processes during development and organogenesis. Invadopodia and podosomes are included in the general term 'invadosomes,' as they both appear as actin puncta on plasma membranes next to extracellular matrix metalloproteinases, although organization, regulation, and function are slightly different. Integrins are transmembrane proteins implicated in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and other important processes such as molecular signaling, mechano-transduction, and cell functions, e.g., adhesion, migration, or invasion. It is noteworthy that integrin expression is altered in many tumors, and other pathologies such as cardiovascular or immune dysfunctions. Over the last few years, growing evidence has suggested a role of integrins in the formation of invadopodia. However, their implication in invadopodia formation and adhesion to the ECM is still not well known. This review focuses on the role of integrins in invadopodium formation and provides a general overview of the involvement of these proteins in the mechanisms of metastasis, taking into account classic research through to the latest and most advanced work in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Peláez
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
| | - Ana Pariente
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
| | - Álvaro Pérez-Sala
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
| | - Ignacio M Larrayoz
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
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30
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Fiori ME, Di Franco S, Villanova L, Bianca P, Stassi G, De Maria R. Cancer-associated fibroblasts as abettors of tumor progression at the crossroads of EMT and therapy resistance. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:70. [PMID: 30927908 PMCID: PMC6441236 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-0994-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 348] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, the role of the microenvironment in tumor progression and therapeutic outcome has gained increasing attention. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as key players among stromal cells, owing to their abundance in most solid tumors and their diverse tumor-restraining/promoting roles. The interplay between tumor cells and neighboring CAFs takes place by both paracrine signals (cytokines, exosomes and metabolites) or by the multifaceted functions of the surrounding extracellular matrix. Here, we dissect the most recent identified mechanisms underlying CAF-mediated control of tumor progression and therapy resistance, which include induction of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), activation of survival pathways or stemness-related programs and metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells. Importantly, the recently unveiled heterogeneity in CAFs claims tailored therapeutic efforts aimed at eradicating the specific subset facilitating tumor progression, therapy resistance and relapse. However, despite the large amount of pre-clinical data, much effort is still needed to translate CAF-directed anti-cancer strategies from the bench to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micol Eleonora Fiori
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lidia Villanova
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bianca
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy. .,Scientific Vice-Direction - Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" - I.R.C.C.S, Largo Francesco Vito 1-8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
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31
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Manna FL, Karkampouna S, Zoni E, De Menna M, Hensel J, Thalmann GN, Kruithof-de Julio M. Metastases in Prostate Cancer. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2019; 9:a033688. [PMID: 29661810 PMCID: PMC6396340 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a033688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis and clinical outcome is directly dependent on metastatic occurrence. The bone microenvironment is a favorable metastatic niche. Different biological processes have been suggested to contribute to the osteotropism of PCa such as hemodynamics, bone-specific signaling interactions, and the "seed and soil" hypothesis. However, prevalence of disseminating tumor cells in the bone is not proportional to the actual occurrence of metastases, as not all patients will develop bone metastases. The fate and tumor-reforming ability of a metastatic cell is greatly influenced by the microenvironment. In this review, the molecular mechanisms of bone and soft-tissue metastasis in PCa are discussed. Specific attention is dedicated to the residual disease, novel approaches, and animal models used in oncological translational research are illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico La Manna
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sofia Karkampouna
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eugenio Zoni
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marta De Menna
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Janine Hensel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - George N Thalmann
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marianna Kruithof-de Julio
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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32
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Grizzi F, Fiorino S, Qehajaj D, Fornelli A, Russo C, de Biase D, Masetti M, Mastrangelo L, Zanello M, Lombardi R, Domanico A, Accogli E, Tura A, Mirandola L, Chiriva-Internati M, Bresalier RS, Jovine E, Leandri P, Di Tommaso L. Computer-aided assessment of the extra-cellular matrix during pancreatic carcinogenesis: a pilot study. J Transl Med 2019; 17:61. [PMID: 30819202 PMCID: PMC6393991 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-1817-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the desmoplastic reaction, but its impact on the tumor behavior remains controversial. Our aim was to introduce a computer -aided method to precisely quantify the amount of pancreatic collagenic extra-cellular matrix, its spatial distribution pattern, and the degradation process. METHODS A series of normal, inflammatory and neoplastic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded Sirius red stained sections were automatically digitized and analyzed using a computer-aided method. RESULTS We found a progressive increase of pancreatic collagenic extra-cellular matrix from normal to the inflammatory and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The two-dimensional fractal dimension showed a significant difference in the collagenic extra-cellular matrix spatial complexity between normal versus inflammatory and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A significant difference when comparing the number of cycles necessary to degrade the pancreatic collagenic extra-cellular matrix in normal versus inflammatory and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was also found. The difference between inflammatory and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was also significant. Furthermore, the mean velocity of collagenic extra-cellular matrix degradation was found to be faster in inflammatory and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma than in normal. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that inflammatory and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are characterized by an increased amount of pancreatic collagenic extra-cellular matrix and by changes in their spatial complexity and degradation. Our study defines new features about the pancreatic collagenic extra-cellular matrix, and represents a basis for further investigations into the clinical behavior of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Grizzi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Histology Core, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sirio Fiorino
- Internal Medicine Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dorina Qehajaj
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Adele Fornelli
- Anatomic Pathology Service, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Russo
- “Michele Rodriguez” Foundation-Institute for Quantitative Measures in Medicine, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Domanico
- Ultrasound Center Internal Medicine A, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Esterita Accogli
- Ultrasound Center Internal Medicine A, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Maurizio Chiriva-Internati
- Kiromic Biopharma, Inc., Houston, TX USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX USA
| | - Robert S. Bresalier
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX USA
| | - Elio Jovine
- Surgery Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Leandri
- Internal Medicine Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
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33
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The Emerging Role of the Microenvironment in Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10110408. [PMID: 30380719 PMCID: PMC6266917 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10110408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in women, and despite recent therapeutic advances, in many cases, treatment failure results in cancer recurrence, metastasis, and death. Current research demonstrates that the interactive crosstalk between two discrete cell types (tumor and stroma) promotes tumor growth and investigations have uncovered the dual role of the stromal cells in the normal and cancerous state. In contrast to tumor cells, stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are genetically stable. However, tumor cells modify adjacent stromal cells in the TME. The alteration in signaling cascades of TME from anti-tumorigenic to pro-tumorigenic enhances metastatic potential and/or confers therapeutic resistance. Therefore, the TME is a fertile ground for the development of novel therapies. Furthermore, disrupting cancer-promoting signals from the TME or re-educating stromal cells may be an effective strategy to impair metastatic progression. Here, we review the paradoxical role of different non-neoplastic stromal cells during specific stages of EC progression. We also suggest that the inhibition of microenvironment-derived signals may suppress metastatic EC progression and offer novel potential therapeutic interventions.
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34
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Li X, Huang F, Xu X, Hu S. Polyclonal Rabbit Anti-Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Globulins Induce Cancer Cells Apoptosis and Inhibit Tumor Growth. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:1621-1629. [PMID: 30416376 PMCID: PMC6216025 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.26520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute a major component of the tumor microenvironment. CAFs regulated the growth and development, invasion and metastasis of primary tumors, as well as response to treatment. Recent studies indicated that monoclonal antibody therapies had limited success, thus more effective polyclonal antibodies (Poly Abs) is urgently needed. Poly Abs is a possible alternative because they target multiple antigens simultaneously. In this report, we prepared Poly Abs by immunizing rabbits with the bFGF-activated fibroblasts. The Poly Abs inhibited the cancer cells proliferation as revealed by MTT analysis. The Poly Abs induced apoptosis as indicated by flow cytometric analysis, and microscopic observation of apoptotic changes in morphology. Compared with the control IgG, Poly Abs significantly inhibited tumor cells migration as indicated by wound healing and transwell analysis in vitro, and lung metastasis analysis in vivo. Serial intravenous injections of Poly Abs inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing murine CT26 colon carcinoma. Ki67 analysis indicated that Poly Abs significantly inhibited tumor cells proliferation, as compared to control Ig G treatments. Our findings suggested that Poly Abs was an effective agent for apoptosis induction, migration and metastasis inhibition. The Poly Abs may be useful as a safe anticancer agent for cancer immunotherapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuying Li
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Fengchang Huang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Shuenqin Hu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming, Medical University, Kunming, China
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35
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La Porta CAM, Zapperi S. Explaining the dynamics of tumor aggressiveness: At the crossroads between biology, artificial intelligence and complex systems. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:42-47. [PMID: 30017637 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Facing metastasis is the most pressing challenge of cancer research. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding phenotypic plasticity of cancer cells, highlighting the kinetics of cancer stem cell and the role of the epithelial mesenchymal transition for metastasis. It appears that the tumor micro-environment plays a crucial role in triggering phenotypic transitions, as we illustrate discussing the challenges posed by macrophages and cancer associated fibroblasts. To disentangle the complexity of environmentally induced phenotypic transitions, there is a growing need for novel advanced algorithms as those proposed in our recent work combining single cell data analysis and numerical simulations of gene regulatory networks. We conclude discussing recent developments in artificial intelligence and its applications to personalized cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina A M La Porta
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy; Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Stefano Zapperi
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy; Department of Physics, University of Milan, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy; CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, ICMATE, Via R. Cozzi 53, 20125 Milano, Italy
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36
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Wanandi SI, Ningsih SS, Asikin H, Hosea R, Neolaka GMG. Metabolic Interplay between Tumour Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) under Hypoxia versus Normoxia. Malays J Med Sci 2018; 25:7-16. [PMID: 30899183 PMCID: PMC6422554 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.3.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth of tumour cells is closely related to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) present within their microenvironment. CAFs, the most abundant cells in tumour stroma, secrete growth factors that play pivotal roles in tumour cell proliferation, metabolism, angiogenesis and metastasis. Tumour cells adapt to rapid environmental changes from normoxia to hypoxia through metabolic interplay with CAFs. In this mini review, we discuss the role of lactate dehydrogenases (LDHs) and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) on the metabolic interplay between tumour cells and CAFs under hypoxia compared to normoxia. The LDHs catalyse the interchange of lactate and pyruvate, whereas MCTs facilitate the influx and efflux of monocarboxylates, especially lactate and pyruvate. To sum up, tumour cells switch their metabolic state between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation through metabolic interplay with CAFs, which exhibit the Warburg effect under hypoxia and reverse Warburg effect under normoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Septelia Inawati Wanandi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya No. 6, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Sri Suciati Ningsih
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya No. 4, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Hijrah Asikin
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya No. 4, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Rendy Hosea
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya No. 4, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Gladies Mercya Grameinie Neolaka
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya No. 4, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
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37
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Fiorino S, Bacchi-Reggiani ML, Birtolo C, Acquaviva G, Visani M, Fornelli A, Masetti M, Tura A, Sbrignadello S, Grizzi F, Patrinicola F, Zanello M, Mastrangelo L, Lombardi R, Benini C, Di Tommaso L, Bondi A, Monetti F, Siopis E, Orlandi PE, Imbriani M, Fabbri C, Giovanelli S, Domanico A, Accogli E, Di Saverio S, Grifoni D, Cennamo V, Leandri P, Jovine E, de Biase D. Matricellular proteins and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer: A systematic review. Pancreatology 2018; 18:122-132. [PMID: 29137857 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a fundamental role in tissue architecture and homeostasis and modulates cell functions through a complex interaction between cell surface receptors, hormones, several bioeffector molecules, and structural proteins like collagen. These components are secreted into ECM and all together contribute to regulate several cellular activities including differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. The so-called "matricellular" proteins (MPs) have recently emerged as important regulators of ECM functions. The aim of our review is to consider all different types of MPs family assessing the potential relationship between MPs and survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A systematic computer-based search of published articles, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement issued in 2009 was conducted through Ovid interface, and literature review was performed in May 2017. The search text words were identified by means of controlled vocabulary, such as the National Library of Medicine's MESH (Medical Subject Headings) and Keywords. Collected data showed an important role of MPs in carcinogenesis and in PDAC prognosis even though the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown and data are not univocal. Therefore, a better understanding of MPs role in regulation of ECM homeostasis and remodeling of specific organ niches may suggest potential novel extracellular targets for the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirio Fiorino
- Internal Medicine Unit C, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Maria Letizia Bacchi-Reggiani
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), Cardiology Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Birtolo
- Internal Medicine Unit A, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Acquaviva
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Visani
- Department of Medicine (Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale), University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Adele Fornelli
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Masetti
- Surgery Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Tura
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Grizzi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Patrinicola
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo Zanello
- Surgery Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Mastrangelo
- Surgery Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Raffaele Lombardi
- Surgery Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Benini
- Surgery Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Arrigo Bondi
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Monetti
- Radiology Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Siopis
- Radiology Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Emilio Orlandi
- Radiology Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Imbriani
- Radiology Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Fabbri
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Giovanelli
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Domanico
- Internal Medicine Unit A, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Esterita Accogli
- Internal Medicine Unit A, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salomone Di Saverio
- Surgical Emergency Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Grifoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via San Donato 15, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cennamo
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Leandri
- Surgical Emergency Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elio Jovine
- Surgery Unit, Azienda USL-Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 3, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via San Donato 15, Bologna, Italy.
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38
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Villaronga MÁ, Teijeiro SÁ, Hermida-Prado F, Garzón-Arango M, Sanz-Moreno V, García-Pedrero JM. Analysis of Invasive Activity of CAF Spheroids into Three Dimensional (3D) Collagen Matrices. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1731:145-154. [PMID: 29318551 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7595-2_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumor growth and progression is the result of a complex process controlled not only by malignant cancer cells but also by the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant cellular component of TME, play an active role in tumor invasion and metastasis by promoting cancer cell invasion through cell-cell interactions and secretion of pro-invasive factors such as extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading proteases. Due to their tumor-promoting activities, there is an emerging interest in investigating CAFs biology and its potential as drug targets for cancer therapies. Here we describe an easy and highly reproducible quantitative method to analyze CAF invasive activity by forming multicellular spheroids embedded into a three-dimensional (3D) matrix that mimics in vivo ECM. Subsequently, invasion is monitored over time using a time-lapse microscope. We also provide an automated image analysis system that enables the rapid quantification of the spheroid area increase (invasive area) over time. The use of a 96-well plate format with one CAF spheroid per well and the automated analysis provides a method suitable for drug screening test, such as protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ángeles Villaronga
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias; IUOPA, Universidad de Oviedo; CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Saúl Álvarez Teijeiro
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias; IUOPA, Universidad de Oviedo; CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Francisco Hermida-Prado
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias; IUOPA, Universidad de Oviedo; CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Marta Garzón-Arango
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias; IUOPA, Universidad de Oviedo; CIBERONC, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Juana María García-Pedrero
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer(CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
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39
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Coleman DT, Gray AL, Stephens CA, Scott ML, Cardelli JA. Repurposed drug screen identifies cardiac glycosides as inhibitors of TGF-β-induced cancer-associated fibroblast differentiation. Oncotarget 2017; 7:32200-9. [PMID: 27058757 PMCID: PMC5078007 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment, primarily composed of myofibroblasts, directly influences the progression of solid tumors. Through secretion of growth factors, extracellular matrix deposition, and contractile mechanotransduction, myofibroblasts, or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), support angiogenesis and cancer cell invasion and metastasis. The differentiation of fibroblasts to CAFs is primarily induced by TGF-β from cancer cells. To discover agents capable of blocking CAF differentiation, we developed a high content immunofluorescence-based assay to screen repurposed chemical libraries utilizing fibronectin expression as an initial CAF marker. Screening of the Prestwick chemical library and NIH Clinical Collection repurposed drug library, totaling over 1700 compounds, identified cardiac glycosides as particularly potent CAF blocking agents. Cardiac glycosides are traditionally used to regulate intracellular calcium by inhibiting the Na+/K+ ATPase to control cardiac contractility. Herein, we report that multiple cardiac glycoside compounds, including digoxin, are able to inhibit TGF-β-induced fibronectin expression at low nanomolar concentrations without undesirable cell toxicity. We found this inhibition to hold true for multiple fibroblast cell lines. Using real-time qPCR, we determined that digoxin prevented induction of multiple CAF markers. Furthermore, we report that digoxin is able to prevent TGF-β-induced fibroblast contraction of extracellular matrix, a major phenotypic consequence of CAF differentiation. Assessing the mechanism of inhibition, we found digoxin reduced SMAD promoter activity downstream of TGF-β, and we provide data that the effect is through inhibition of its known target, the Na+/K+ ATPase. These findings support a critical role for calcium signaling during CAF differentiation and highlight a novel, repurposable modality for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Coleman
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Alana L Gray
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Charles A Stephens
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Matthew L Scott
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - James A Cardelli
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
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40
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Arnoldini S, Moscaroli A, Chabria M, Hilbert M, Hertig S, Schibli R, Béhé M, Vogel V. Novel peptide probes to assess the tensional state of fibronectin fibers in cancer. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1793. [PMID: 29176724 PMCID: PMC5702617 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Transformations of extracellular matrix (ECM) accompany pathological tissue changes, yet how cell-ECM crosstalk drives these processes remains unknown as adequate tools to probe forces or mechanical strains in tissues are lacking. Here, we introduce a new nanoprobe to assess the mechanical strain of fibronectin (Fn) fibers in tissue, based on the bacterial Fn-binding peptide FnBPA5. FnBPA5 exhibits nM binding affinity to relaxed, but not stretched Fn fibers and is shown to exhibit strain-sensitive ECM binding in cell culture in a comparison with an established Fn-FRET probe. Staining of tumor tissue cryosections shows large regions of relaxed Fn fibers and injection of radiolabeled 111In-FnBPA5 in a prostate cancer mouse model reveals specific accumulation of 111In-FnBPA5 in tumor with prolonged retention compared to other organs. The herein presented approach enables to investigate how Fn fiber strain at the tissue level impacts cell signaling and pathological progression in different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Arnoldini
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Moscaroli
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Paul Scherrer Institute, OIPA/103, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Mamta Chabria
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Hilbert
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, OFLC/102, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Hertig
- Hertig Visualizations, Technikumstrasse 10B, 3400, Burgdorf, Switzerland
| | - Roger Schibli
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Paul Scherrer Institute, OIPA/103, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland.,Institute for Pharamaceutical Science, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Béhé
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Paul Scherrer Institute, OIPA/103, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
| | - Viola Vogel
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Erdogan B, Ao M, White LM, Means AL, Brewer BM, Yang L, Washington MK, Shi C, Franco OE, Weaver AM, Hayward SW, Li D, Webb DJ. Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote directional cancer cell migration by aligning fibronectin. J Cell Biol 2017; 216:3799-3816. [PMID: 29021221 PMCID: PMC5674895 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201704053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 356] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of the carcinoma microenvironment that promote tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which CAFs regulate cancer cell migration are poorly understood. In this study, we show that fibronectin (Fn) assembled by CAFs mediates CAF-cancer cell association and directional migration. Compared with normal fibroblasts, CAFs produce an Fn-rich extracellular matrix with anisotropic fiber orientation, which guides the cancer cells to migrate directionally. CAFs align the Fn matrix by increasing nonmuscle myosin II- and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α-mediated contractility and traction forces, which are transduced to Fn through α5β1 integrin. We further show that prostate cancer cells use αv integrin to migrate efficiently and directionally on CAF-derived matrices. We demonstrate that aligned Fn is a prominent feature of invasion sites in human prostatic and pancreatic carcinoma samples. Collectively, we present a new mechanism by which CAFs organize the Fn matrix and promote directional cancer cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begum Erdogan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Mingfang Ao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Lauren M White
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Anna L Means
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Bryson M Brewer
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Lijie Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - M Kay Washington
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Chanjuan Shi
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Omar E Franco
- Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Surgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL
| | - Alissa M Weaver
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Simon W Hayward
- Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Surgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL
| | - Deyu Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Donna J Webb
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
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42
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Yang Z, Yang X, Xu S, Jin P, Li X, Wei X, Liu D, Huang K, Long S, Wang Y, Sun C, Chen G, Hu J, Meng L, Ma D, Gao Q. Reprogramming of stromal fibroblasts by SNAI2 contributes to tumor desmoplasia and ovarian cancer progression. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:163. [PMID: 29041931 PMCID: PMC5645935 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0732-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular profiling in ovarian cancer (OC) revealed that the desmoplasia subtype presented the poorest prognosis, highlighting the contribution of stromal fibroblasts in tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics of SNAI2 driving the transcriptional reprogramming of fibroblasts within tumors. METHODS SNAI2 expression was evaluated in microdissected profiles of various cancers and in various molecular subtypes of OC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) were performed to explore the correlation between SNAI2 and stromal fibroblast activation. The SNAI2 defined signature in the mesenchymal OC subtype was identified through an integrative analysis of the TCGA and the Tothill datasets. The predictive value of this signature was validated in independent datasets. SNAI2 expression alteration influence of tumor growth in primary CAFs was evaluated in 3D organotypic and murine xenograft models. RESULTS We demonstrated that SNAI2 was frequently activated in the tumor stroma, correlated with fibroblast activation and worse patient outcome in OC. SNAI2 transformed normal fibroblasts to a CAF-like state and boosted their tumor-supporting role in 3D organotypic culture and in OC xenograft model. SNAI2 drove a transcriptional signature in the mesenchymal subtype of OC that contributed to tumor desmoplasia, which fed back to increase SNAI2 expression and sustain fibroblast activation. CONCLUSIONS Our results address the role of SNAI2 in reprogramming stromal fibroblasts. The identified SNAI2 mesenchymal signature has both a predictive value and biological relevance and might be a therapeutic target for stroma-oriented therapy against the desmoplasia OC subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyuan Yang
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Sen Xu
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Ping Jin
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoting Li
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xiao Wei
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Kecheng Huang
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Sixiang Long
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Ya Wang
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Chaoyang Sun
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Junbo Hu
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Li Meng
- Department of hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key laboratory of the ministry of education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv., Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
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43
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts modulate growth factor signaling and extracellular matrix remodeling to regulate tumor metastasis. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 45:229-236. [PMID: 28202677 DOI: 10.1042/bst20160387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 336] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of the surrounding stroma of carcinomas that emerge in the tumor microenvironment as a result of signals derived from the cancer cells. Biochemical cross-talk between cancer cells and CAFs as well as mechanical remodeling of the stromal extracellular matrix (ECM) by CAFs are important contributors to tumor cell migration and invasion, which are critical for cancer progression from a primary tumor to metastatic disease. In this review, we discuss key paracrine signaling pathways between CAFs and cancer cells that promote cancer cell migration and invasion. In addition, we discuss physical changes that CAFs exert on the stromal ECM to facilitate migration and invasion of cancer cells.
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44
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Ciavatta ML, Lefranc F, Carbone M, Mollo E, Gavagnin M, Betancourt T, Dasari R, Kornienko A, Kiss R. Marine Mollusk-Derived Agents with Antiproliferative Activity as Promising Anticancer Agents to Overcome Chemotherapy Resistance. Med Res Rev 2017; 37:702-801. [PMID: 27925266 PMCID: PMC5484305 DOI: 10.1002/med.21423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The chemical investigation of marine mollusks has led to the isolation of a wide variety of bioactive metabolites, which evolved in marine organisms as favorable adaptations to survive in different environments. Most of them are derived from food sources, but they can be also biosynthesized de novo by the mollusks themselves, or produced by symbionts. Consequently, the isolated compounds cannot be strictly considered as "chemotaxonomic markers" for the different molluscan species. However, the chemical investigation of this phylum has provided many compounds of interest as potential anticancer drugs that assume particular importance in the light of the growing literature on cancer biology and chemotherapy. The current review highlights the diversity of chemical structures, mechanisms of action, and, most importantly, the potential of mollusk-derived metabolites as anticancer agents, including those biosynthesized by mollusks and those of dietary origin. After the discussion of dolastatins and kahalalides, compounds previously studied in clinical trials, the review covers potentially promising anticancer agents, which are grouped based on their structural type and include terpenes, steroids, peptides, polyketides and nitrogen-containing compounds. The "promise" of a mollusk-derived natural product as an anticancer agent is evaluated on the basis of its ability to target biological characteristics of cancer cells responsible for poor treatment outcomes. These characteristics include high antiproliferative potency against cancer cells in vitro, preferential inhibition of the proliferation of cancer cells over normal ones, mechanism of action via nonapoptotic signaling pathways, circumvention of multidrug resistance phenotype, and high activity in vivo, among others. The review also includes sections on the targeted delivery of mollusk-derived anticancer agents and solutions to their procurement in quantity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letizia Ciavatta
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB)Via Campi Flegrei 3480078PozzuoliItaly
| | - Florence Lefranc
- Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital ErasmeUniversité Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)1070BrusselsBelgium
| | - Marianna Carbone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB)Via Campi Flegrei 3480078PozzuoliItaly
| | - Ernesto Mollo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB)Via Campi Flegrei 3480078PozzuoliItaly
| | - Margherita Gavagnin
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB)Via Campi Flegrei 3480078PozzuoliItaly
| | - Tania Betancourt
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryTexas State UniversitySan MarcosTX78666
| | - Ramesh Dasari
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryTexas State UniversitySan MarcosTX78666
| | - Alexander Kornienko
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryTexas State UniversitySan MarcosTX78666
| | - Robert Kiss
- Laboratoire de Cancérologie et de Toxicologie ExpérimentaleFaculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)1050BrusselsBelgium
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45
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Inhibition of extracellular matrix mediated TGF-β signalling suppresses endometrial cancer metastasis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:71400-71417. [PMID: 29069715 PMCID: PMC5641058 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although aggressive invasion and distant metastases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with endometrial cancer (EC), the requisite events determining this propensity are currently unknown. Using organotypic three-dimensional culture of endometrial cancer cell lines, we demonstrated anti-correlated TGF-β signalling gene expression patterns that arise among extracellular matrix (ECM)-attached cells. TGF-β pathway seemed to be active in EC cells forming non-glandular colonies in 3D-matrix but weaker in glandular colonies. Functionally we found that out of several ECM proteins, fibronectin relatively promotes Smad phosphorylation suggesting a potential role in regulating TGF-β signalling in non-glandular colonies. Importantly, alteration of TGF-β pathway induced EMT and MET in both type of colonies through slug protein. The results exemplify a crucial role of TGF-β pathway during EC metastasis in human patients and inhibition of the pathway in a murine model impaired tumour cell invasion and metastasis depicting an attractive target for therapeutic intervention of malignant tumour progression. These findings provide key insights into the role of ECM-derived TGF-β signalling to promote endometrial cancer metastasis and offer an avenue for therapeutic targeting of microenvironment derived signals along with tumour cells.
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46
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Gasparski AN, Ozarkar S, Beningo KA. Transient mechanical strain promotes the maturation of invadopodia and enhances cancer cell invasion in vitro. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:1965-1978. [PMID: 28446539 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.199760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell invasion is influenced by various biomechanical forces found within the microenvironment. We have previously found that invasion is enhanced in fibrosarcoma cells when transient mechanical stimulation is applied within an in vitro mechano-invasion assay. This enhancement of invasion is dependent on cofilin (CFL1), a known regulator of invadopodia maturation. Invadopodia are actin-rich structures present in invasive cancer cells that are enzymatically active and degrade the surrounding extracellular matrix to facilitate invasion. In this study, we examine changes in gene expression in response to tugging on matrix fibers. Interestingly, we find that integrin β3 expression is downregulated and leads to an increase in cofilin activity, as evidenced by a reduction in its Ser3 phosphorylation levels. As a result, invadopodia lengthen and have increased enzymatic activity, indicating that transient mechanical stimulation promotes the maturation of invadopodia leading to increased levels of cell invasion. Our results are unique in defining an invasive mechanism specific to the invasive process of cancer cells that is triggered by tugging forces in the microenvironment, as opposed to rigidity, compression or stretch forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Gasparski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202-3917, USA
| | - Snehal Ozarkar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202-3917, USA
| | - Karen A Beningo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202-3917, USA
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47
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Khan Z, Marshall JF. The role of integrins in TGFβ activation in the tumour stroma. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 365:657-73. [PMID: 27515461 PMCID: PMC5010607 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-016-2474-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
TGFβ1 is the most pleiotropic of all known cytokines and thus, to avoid uncontrolled TGFβ-activated processes, its activity is tightly regulated. Studies in fibrosis have led to the discovery that αv integrins are the major regulators of the local activation of latent TGFβ in our tissues. Since all cells can express one or more types of αv integrins, this raises the possibility that, in the complex milieu of a developing cancer, multiple cell types including both cancer cells and stromal cells activate TGFβ. In normal tissues, TGFβ1 is a tumour suppressor through its ability to suppress epithelial cell division, whereas in cancer, in which tumour cells develop genetic escape mechanisms to become resistant to TGFβ growth suppression, TGFβ signalling creates a tumour-permissive environment by activating fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, by promoting angiogenesis, by suppressing immune cell populations and by promoting the secretion of both matrix proteins and proteases. In addition, TGFβ drives epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) increasing the potential for metastasis. Since αv integrins activate TGFβ, they almost certainly drive TGFβ-dependent cancer progression. In this review, we discuss the data that are helping to develop this hypothesis and describe the evidence that αv integrins regulate the TGFβ promotion of cancer. Graphical Abstract Mechanisms of integrin-mediated transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) activation and its effect on stromal processes. 1 Matrix-bound latent LAP-TGFβ1 binds αv integrins expressed by epithelial cells or fibroblasts (LAP latency-associated peptide). TGFβ1 becomes exposed. 2 Active TGFβ1 binds the TGFβ receptor in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. 3 TGFβ1 signalling increases integrin expression, LAP-TGFβ1 secretion and trans-differentiation of fibroblasts into contractile cells that secrete collagens and collagen cross-linking proteins. By contracting the matrix, latent TGFβ1 is stretched making the activation of latent TGFβ1 easier and creating a continuous cycle of TGFβ1 signalling. TGFβ1 promotes cancer progression by promoting angiogenesis, immune suppression and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zareen Khan
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - John F. Marshall
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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48
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Wang R, Chu GCY, Mrdenovic S, Annamalai AA, Hendifar AE, Nissen NN, Tomlinson JS, Lewis M, Palanisamy N, Tseng HR, Posadas EM, Freeman MR, Pandol SJ, Zhau HE, Chung LWK. Cultured circulating tumor cells and their derived xenografts for personalized oncology. Asian J Urol 2016; 3:240-253. [PMID: 29264192 PMCID: PMC5730836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent cancer research has demonstrated the existence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in cancer patient's blood. Once identified, CTC biomarkers will be invaluable tools for clinical diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. In this review, we propose ex vivo culture as a rational strategy for large scale amplification of the limited numbers of CTCs from a patient sample, to derive enough CTCs for accurate and reproducible characterization of the biophysical, biochemical, gene expressional and behavioral properties of the harvested cells. Because of tumor cell heterogeneity, it is important to amplify all the CTCs in a blood sample for a comprehensive understanding of their role in cancer metastasis. By analyzing critical steps and technical issues in ex vivo CTC culture, we developed a cost-effective and reproducible protocol directly culturing whole peripheral blood mononuclear cells, relying on an assumed survival advantage in CTCs and CTC-like cells over the normal cells to amplify this specified cluster of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxiang Wang
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gina C Y Chu
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stefan Mrdenovic
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alagappan A Annamalai
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew E Hendifar
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas N Nissen
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James S Tomlinson
- Department of Surgery, West Los Angeles VA Hospital, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael Lewis
- Department of Pathology, West Los Angeles VA Hospital, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edwin M Posadas
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael R Freeman
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephen J Pandol
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haiyen E Zhau
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Leland W K Chung
- Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Uro-Oncology Research, Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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49
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Shed proteoglycans in tumor stroma. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 365:643-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-016-2452-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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50
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Liu GX, Xi HQ, Sun XY, Geng ZJ, Yang SW, Lu YJ, Wei B, Chen L. Isoprenaline Induces Periostin Expression in Gastric Cancer. Yonsei Med J 2016; 57:557-64. [PMID: 26996552 PMCID: PMC4800342 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2016.57.3.557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Periostin mediates critical steps in gastric cancer and is involved in various signaling pathways. However, the roles of periostin in promoting gastric cancer metastasis are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance between periostin expression and gastric cancer progression and the role of stress-related hormones in the regulation of cancer development and progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Normal, cancerous and metastatic gastric tissues were collected from patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer. The in vivo expression of periostin was evaluated by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescent staining. Meanwhile, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines MKN-45 and BGC-803 were used to detect the in vitro expression of periostin by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. RESULTS Periostin is expressed in the stroma of the primary gastric tumors and metastases, but not in normal gastric tissue. In addition, we observed that periostin is located mainly in pericryptal fibroblasts, but not in the tumor cells, and strongly correlated to the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Furthermore, the distribution patterns of periostin were broader as the clinical staging of tumors progressed. We also identified a role of stress-related signaling in promoting cancer development and progression, and found that isoprenaline upregulated expression levels of periostin in gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the distribution pattern of periostin was broader as the clinical staging of the tumor progressed and found that isoprenaline upregulated expression levels of periostin in gastric cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Xiao Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Qing Xi
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Sun
- Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Trauma Center of Postgraduate Medical School, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Geng
- Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Trauma Center of Postgraduate Medical School, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shao-Wei Yang
- Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Trauma Center of Postgraduate Medical School, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Jie Lu
- Department of Pathology, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, Hebei Province, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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