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Walcheck MT, Schwartz PB, Carrillo ND, Matkowskyj KA, Nukaya M, Bradfield CA, Ronnekleiv-Kelly SM. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Knockout Accelerates PanIN Formation and Fibro-Inflammation in a Mutant Kras -Driven Pancreatic Cancer Model. Pancreas 2024; 53:e670-e680. [PMID: 38696422 PMCID: PMC11321943 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000002357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The pathogenesis of pancreas cancer (PDAC) remains poorly understood, hindering efforts to develop a more effective therapy for PDAC. Recent discoveries show the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a crucial role in the development of several cancers and can be targeted for therapeutic effect. However, its involvement in the pathogenesis of PDAC remains unclear. To address this gap, we evaluated the role of AHR in the development of PDAC precancerous lesions in vivo . MATERIALS AND METHODS We created a global AHR-null, mutant Kras -driven PDAC mouse model (A -/- KC) and evaluated the changes in PDAC precursor lesion formation (PanIN-1, 2, and 3) and associated fibro-inflammation between KC and A -/- KC at 5 months of age. We then examined the changes in the immune microenvironment followed by single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis to evaluate concomitant transcriptomic changes. RESULTS We identified a significant increase in PanIN-1 lesion formation and PanIN-1 associated fibro-inflammatory infiltrate in A -/- KC versus KC mice. This was associated with significant changes in the adaptive immune system, particularly a decrease in the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio, as well as a decrease in the T-regulatory/Th17 T-cell ratio suggesting unregulated inflammation. CONCLUSIONS These findings show the loss of AHR results in heightened Kras -induced PanIN formation, through modulation of immune cells within the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan T Walcheck
- From the Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
| | - Patrick B Schwartz
- From the Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
| | - Noah D Carrillo
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin
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Mottini C, Auciello FR, Manni I, Pilarsky C, Caputo D, Caracciolo G, Rossetta A, Di Gennaro E, Budillon A, Blandino G, Roca MS, Piaggio G. The cross-talk between the macro and micro-environment in precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer leads to new and promising circulating biomarkers. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:198. [PMID: 39020414 PMCID: PMC11256648 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03117-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a clinically challenging tumor to combat due to its advanced stage at diagnosis as well as its resistance to currently available therapies. The absence of early symptoms and known detectable biomarkers renders this disease incredibly difficult to detect/manage. Recent advances in the understanding of PC biology have highlighted the importance of cancer-immune cell interactions, not only in the tumor micro-environment but also in distant systemic sites, like the bone marrow, spleen and circulating immune cells, the so-called macro-environment. The response of the macro-environment is emerging as a determining factor in tumor development by contributing to the formation of an increasingly immunogenic micro-environment promoting tumor homeostasis and progression. We will summarize the key events associated with the feedback loop between the tumor immune micro-environment (TIME) and the tumor immune macroenvironment (TIMaE) in pancreatic precancerous lesions along with how it regulates disease development and progression. In addition, liquid biopsy biomarkers capable of diagnosing PC at an early stage of onset will also be discussed. A clearer understanding of the early crosstalk between micro-environment and macro-environment could contribute to identifying new molecular therapeutic targets and biomarkers, consequently improving early PC diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Mottini
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Auciello
- UOC Translational Oncology Research, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Giulio Caracciolo
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Molecolare Sapienza, Università Di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elena Di Gennaro
- Experimental Pharmacology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via M. Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Scientific Directorate, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- UOC Translational Oncology Research, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Roca
- Experimental Pharmacology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via M. Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
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3
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Fernández Á, Casamitjana J, Holguín-Horcajo A, Coolens K, Mularoni L, Guo L, Hartwig O, Düking T, Vidal N, Strickland LN, Pasquali L, Bailey-Lundberg JM, Rooman I, Wang YJ, Rovira M. A Single-Cell Atlas of the Murine Pancreatic Ductal Tree Identifies Novel Cell Populations With Potential Implications in Pancreas Regeneration and Exocrine Pathogenesis. Gastroenterology 2024:S0016-5085(24)05063-7. [PMID: 38908487 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Pancreatic ducts form an intricate network of tubules that secrete bicarbonate and drive acinar secretions into the duodenum. This network is formed by centroacinar cells; terminal, intercalated, intracalated ducts; and the main pancreatic duct. Ductal heterogeneity at the single-cell level has been poorly characterized; therefore, our understanding of the role of ductal cells in pancreas regeneration and exocrine pathogenesis has been hampered by the limited knowledge and unexplained diversity within the ductal network. METHODS We used small conditional RNA sequencing to comprehensively characterize mouse ductal heterogeneity at single-cell resolution of the entire ductal epithelium from centroacinar cells to the main duct. Moreover, we used organoid cultures, injury models, and pancreatic tumor samples to interrogate the role of novel ductal populations in pancreas regeneration and exocrine pathogenesis. RESULTS We have identified the coexistence of 15 ductal populations within the healthy pancreas and characterized their organoid formation capacity and endocrine differentiation potential. Cluster isolation and subsequent culturing let us identify ductal cell populations with high organoid formation capacity and endocrine and exocrine differentiation potential in vitro, including a Wnt-responsive population, a ciliated population, and FLRT3+ cells. Moreover, we have characterized the location of these novel ductal populations in healthy pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and tumor samples. The expression of WNT-responsive, interferon-responsive, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition population markers increases in chronic pancreatitis and tumor samples. CONCLUSIONS In light of our discovery of previously unidentified ductal populations, we unmask potential roles of specific ductal populations in pancreas regeneration and exocrine pathogenesis. Thus, novel lineage-tracing models are needed to investigate ductal-specific populations in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Fernández
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Casamitjana
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Adrián Holguín-Horcajo
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Katarina Coolens
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Translational Oncology Research Center, Laboratory for Medical and Molecular Oncology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Loris Mularoni
- Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Li Guo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Olga Hartwig
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Tim Düking
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Noemi Vidal
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lincoln N Strickland
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Lorenzo Pasquali
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jennifer M Bailey-Lundberg
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Ilse Rooman
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Translational Oncology Research Center, Laboratory for Medical and Molecular Oncology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yue J Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Meritxell Rovira
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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4
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Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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5
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Chen Y, Chen CY, Huang H, Luo Z, Mu Y, Li S, Huang Y, Li S. Knocking down of Xkr8 enhances chemotherapy efficacy through modulating tumor immune microenvironment. J Control Release 2024; 370:479-489. [PMID: 38685385 PMCID: PMC11186464 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Scramblase Xk-related protein 8 (Xkr8) regulates the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) during apoptosis and holds a pivotal role in fostering tumor immunosuppression. Targeting Xkr8 in conjunction with chemotherapy demonstrated a novel avenue for amplifying antitumor immune response and overcoming chemo-immune resistance. Here we further evaluated this strategy by using a clinically relevant orthotopic model and elucidated the mechanism through in-depth single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We found that Xkr8 knockdown exhibited the potential to lead to immunogenic cell death (ICD) by impeding the normal clearance of apoptotic cells. Co-delivery of Xkr8 small interference RNA (siRNA) and a prodrug conjugate of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and oxoplatin (FuOXP) showed remarkable therapeutic efficacy in an orthotopic pancreatic tumor model with increased infiltration of proliferative NK cells and activated macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Single-cell trajectory analysis further unveiled that tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells are differentiated favorably to cytotoxic over exhausted phenotype after combination treatment. Our study sheds new light on the impact of Xkr8 knockdown on TME and solidifies the rationale of combining Xkr8 knockdown with chemotherapy to treat various types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuang Chen
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chien-Yu Chen
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Haozhe Huang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhangyi Luo
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiqing Mu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shichen Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yixian Huang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Song Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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6
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Parte S, Kaur AB, Nimmakayala RK, Ogunleye AO, Chirravuri R, Vengoji R, Leon F, Nallasamy P, Rauth S, Alsafwani ZW, Lele S, Cox JL, Bhat I, Singh S, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Induces Acinar-to-Ductal Cell Transdifferentiation and Pancreatic Cancer Initiation Via LAMA5/ITGA4 Axis. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:842-858.e5. [PMID: 38154529 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by desmoplastic stroma surrounding most tumors. Activated stromal fibroblasts, namely cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play a major role in PDAC progression. We analyzed whether CAFs influence acinar cells and impact PDAC initiation, that is, acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). ADM connection with PDAC pathophysiology is indicated, but not yet established. We hypothesized that CAF secretome might play a significant role in ADM in PDAC initiation. METHODS Mouse and human acinar cell organoids, acinar cells cocultured with CAFs and exposed to CAF-conditioned media, acinar cell explants, and CAF cocultures were examined by means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, RNA sequencing, immunoblotting, and confocal microscopy. Data from liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis of CAF-conditioned medium and RNA sequencing data of acinar cells post-conditioned medium exposure were integrated using bioinformatics tools to identify the molecular mechanism for CAF-induced ADM. Using confocal microscopy, immunoblotting, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, we validated the depletion of a key signaling axis in the cell line, acinar explant coculture, and mouse cancer-associated fibroblasts (mCAFs). RESULTS A close association of acino-ductal markers (Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1, amylase, cytokeratin-19) and mCAFs (α-smooth muscle actin) in LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53R172H/+; Pdx1Cre (KPC) and LSL-KrasG12D/+; Pdx1Cre (KC) autochthonous progression tumor tissue was observed. Caerulein treatment-induced mCAFs increased cytokeratin-19 and decreased amylase in wild-type and KC pancreas. Likewise, acinar-mCAF cocultures revealed the induction of ductal transdifferentiation in cell line, acinar-organoid, and explant coculture formats in WT and KC mice pancreas. Proteomic and transcriptomic data integration revealed a novel laminin α5/integrinα4/stat3 axis responsible for CAF-mediated acinar-to-ductal cell transdifferentiation. CONCLUSIONS Results collectively suggest the first evidence for CAF-influenced acino-ductal phenotypic switchover, thus highlighting the tumor microenvironment role in pancreatic carcinogenesis inception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Annant B Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ayoola O Ogunleye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ramakanth Chirravuri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Raghupathy Vengoji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Frank Leon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sanchita Rauth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Zahraa Wajih Alsafwani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Subodh Lele
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jesse L Cox
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ishfaq Bhat
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraksa
| | - Shailender Singh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraksa
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska.
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7
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Liou GY, Byrd CJ, Storz P, Messex JK. Cytokine CCL9 Mediates Oncogenic KRAS-Induced Pancreatic Acinar-to-Ductal Metaplasia by Promoting Reactive Oxygen Species and Metalloproteinases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4726. [PMID: 38731942 PMCID: PMC11083758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) can originate from acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). Pancreatic acini harboring oncogenic Kras mutations are transdifferentiated to a duct-like phenotype that further progresses to become pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions, giving rise to PDAC. Although ADM formation is frequently observed in KrasG12D transgenic mouse models of PDAC, the exact mechanisms of how oncogenic KrasG12D regulates this process remain an enigma. Herein, we revealed a new downstream target of oncogenic Kras, cytokine CCL9, during ADM formation. Higher levels of CCL9 and its receptors, CCR1 and CCR3, were detected in ADM regions of the pancreas in p48cre:KrasG12D mice and human PDAC patients. Knockdown of CCL9 in KrasG12D-expressed pancreatic acini reduced KrasG12D-induced ADM in a 3D organoid culture system. Moreover, exogenously added recombinant CCL9 and overexpression of CCL9 in primary pancreatic acini induced pancreatic ADM. We also showed that, functioning as a downstream target of KrasG12D, CCL9 promoted pancreatic ADM through upregulation of the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP14, MMP3 and MMP2. Blockade of MMPs via its generic inhibitor GM6001 or knockdown of specific MMP such as MMP14 and MMP3 decreased CCL9-induced pancreatic ADM. In p48cre:KrasG12D transgenic mice, blockade of CCL9 through its specific neutralizing antibody attenuated pancreatic ADM structures and PanIN lesion formation. Furthermore, it also diminished infiltrating macrophages and expression of MMP14, MMP3 and MMP2 in the ADM areas. Altogether, our results provide novel mechanistic insight into how oncogenic Kras enhances pancreatic ADM through its new downstream target molecule, CCL9, to initiate PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geou-Yarh Liou
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | - Crystal J. Byrd
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Justin K. Messex
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
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8
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Waldron RT, Lugea A, Chang HH, Su HY, Quiros C, Lewis MS, Che M, Ramanujan VK, Rozengurt E, Eibl G, Pandol SJ. Upregulated Matrisomal Proteins and Extracellular Matrix Mechanosignaling Underlie Obesity-Associated Promotion of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1593. [PMID: 38672675 PMCID: PMC11048773 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Diet-induced obesity (DIO) promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in mice expressing KRasG12D in the pancreas (KC mice), but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we performed multiplex quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and further bioinformatic and spatial analysis of pancreas tissues from control-fed versus DIO KC mice after 3, 6, and 9 months. Normal pancreatic parenchyma and associated proteins were steadily eliminated and the novel proteins, phosphoproteins, and signaling pathways associated with PDAC tumorigenesis increased until 6 months, when most males exhibited cancer, but females did not. Differentially expressed proteins and phosphoproteins induced by DIO revealed the crucial functional role of matrisomal proteins, which implies the roles of upstream regulation by TGFβ, extracellular matrix-receptor signaling to downstream PI3K-Akt-mTOR-, MAPK-, and Yap/Taz activation, and crucial effects in the tumor microenvironment such as metabolic alterations and signaling crosstalk between immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and tumor cells. Staining tissues from KC mice localized the expression of several prognostic PDAC biomarkers and elucidated tumorigenic features, such as robust macrophage infiltration, acinar-ductal metaplasia, mucinous PanIN, distinct nonmucinous atypical flat lesions (AFLs) surrounded by smooth muscle actin-positive CAFs, invasive tumors with epithelial-mesenchymal transition arising close to AFLs, and expanding deserted areas by 9 months. We next used Nanostring GeoMX to characterize the early spatial distribution of specific immune cell subtypes in distinct normal, stromal, and PanIN areas. Taken together, these data richly contextualize DIO promotion of Kras-driven PDAC tumorigenesis and provide many novel insights into the signaling pathways and processes involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T. Waldron
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aurelia Lugea
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Hui-Hua Chang
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hsin-Yuan Su
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Crystal Quiros
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Michael S. Lewis
- Department of Medicine and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Health System, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA;
| | - Mingtian Che
- Biobank and Research Pathology Resource, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - V. Krishnan Ramanujan
- Biobank and Research Pathology Resource, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Enrique Rozengurt
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Guido Eibl
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stephen J. Pandol
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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9
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Hu J, Jiang J, Xu B, Li Y, Wang B, He S, Ren X, Shi B, Zhang X, Zheng H, Hua B, Liu R. Bioinformatics analyses of infiltrating immune cell participation on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression and in vivo experiment of the therapeutic effect of Shuangshen granules. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 322:117590. [PMID: 38113986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Shuangshen granules (SSG), a nationally patented Chinese medicinal formula, including Panax quinquefolium L., Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen, and Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., has demonstrated remarkable therapeutic effects on pancreatic cancer in clinical treatment for nearly 10 years. Previous pharmacological researches have found that its main components, including ginsenosides and cordycepin have anticancer or preventive effects on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which may be associated with immune metabolism. However, the underlying pharmacological mechanism of SSG in the truncation effect of PDAC progression is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To comprehensively understand the infiltrating immune cells during the different stages of the PDAC development chain and search for immune-related biomarkers that could potentially serve as drug targets through bioinformatic analysis. Meanwhile, the truncation effect of SSG on PDAC progression was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The gene expression profiles at different PDAC developmental stages, including normal pancreas, pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), and PDAC, were retrieved from the GEO database. The GEO2R tool was used to identify differentially expressed genes among the three groups. Functional enrichment analysis was performed with the GSEA software and Metascape platform. The CIBERSORT algorithm evaluated immune cell infiltration in the three groups, and immune-related biomarkers were identified. Correlation analysis was employed to examine the association between immune cells and the biomarkers. One of these biomarkers was selected for immunohistochemistry validation in human samples. Lastly, the effectiveness of SSG against PDAC progression and the influence on the selected biomarker were validated in vivo. The underlying pharmacological mechanisms were also explored. RESULTS One dataset was obtained, where the functional enrichment of DEGs primarily involved immune effector processes and cytokine production of immune cells. The differential immune cells reflected during the progression from PanIN to PDAC were B memory cells, monocytes, M2 macrophages, and activated dendritic cells. The upregulation of ACTA2 was closely associated with M2 macrophage regulation. The immunohistochemistry on human samples validated significant differences in ACTA2 expression levels as the PDAC progressed. Moreover, animal experiments revealed that the national patented drug SSG ameliorated the pathological changes, decreased the expression of ACTA2 and its functional protein α-smooth muscle actin during PDAC progression. The underlying pharmacological mechanism was related to the regulation of macrophage polarization and downregulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS The immunosuppressive environment changes during the PDAC progression. ACTA2 is a potential immuned-target for drug prevention of PDAC, while SSG could be a promising drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Hu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Juling Jiang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bei Wang
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shulin He
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Ren
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bolun Shi
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Honggang Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baojin Hua
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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10
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Döppler HR, Storz P. Macrophage-induced reactive oxygen species in the initiation of pancreatic cancer: a mini-review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1278807. [PMID: 38576613 PMCID: PMC10991718 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1278807] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic inflammation is a risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer. Increased presence of inflammatory macrophages can be found in response to a KRAS mutation in acinar cells or in response to experimentally-induced pancreatitis. Inflammatory macrophages induce pancreatic acinar cells to undergo dedifferentiation to a duct-like progenitor stage, a process called acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). Occurrence of ADM lesions are believed to be the initiating event in tumorigenesis. Here we will discuss how macrophage-induced oxidative stress contributes to ADM and how ADM cells shape the fibrotic stroma needed for further progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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11
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Uddin MH, Zhang D, Muqbil I, El-Rayes BF, Chen H, Philip PA, Azmi AS. Deciphering cellular plasticity in pancreatic cancer for effective treatments. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:393-408. [PMID: 38194153 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, is often affected by two main types of cancer: the pre-dominant ductal adenocarcinoma and the less common neuroendocrine tumors. These cancers are difficult to treat due to their complex biology characterized by cellular plasticity leading to therapy resistance. Cellular plasticity refers to the capability of cancer cells to change and adapt to different microenvironments within the body which includes acinar-ductal metaplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal/epigenetic/metabolic plasticity, as well as stemness. This plasticity allows heterogeneity of cancer cells, metastasis, and evasion of host's immune system and develops resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. To overcome this resistance, extensive research is ongoing exploring the intrinsic and extrinsic factors through cellular reprogramming, chemosensitization, targeting metabolic, key survival pathways, etc. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of cellular plasticity involving cellular adaptation and tumor microenvironment and provided a comprehensive understanding of its role in therapy resistance and ways to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Dingqiang Zhang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Philip A Philip
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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12
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Armstrong SK, Hunter RW, Oosthyuzen W, Parys M, Gow AG, Schmitz SS, Dear JW, Mellanby RJ. Candidate circulating microRNA biomarkers in dogs with chronic pancreatitis. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:995-1004. [PMID: 38351718 PMCID: PMC10937508 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17009] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatitis is an important cause of disease and death in dogs. Available circulating biomarkers are not sufficiently sensitive and specific for a definitive diagnosis. HYPOTHESIS Circulating microRNAs would be differentially expressed in dogs with chronic pancreatitis and could have potential as diagnostic biomarkers. ANIMALS Healthy controls (n = 19) and dogs with naturally occurring pancreatitis (n = 17). METHODS A retrospective case-control study. Dogs with pancreatitis were included if they satisfied diagnostic criteria for pancreatitis as adjudicated by 3 experts. MicroRNA was extracted from stored serum samples and sequenced. Reads were mapped to mature microRNA sequences in the canine, mouse, and human genomes. Differentially expressed microRNAs were identified and the potential mechanistic relevance explored using Qiagen Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). RESULTS Reads mapping to 196 mature microRNA sequences were detected. Eight circulating microRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in dogs with pancreatitis (≥2-fold change and false discovery rate <0.05). Four of these mapped to the canine genome (cfa-miR-221, cfa-miR-222, cfa-miR-23a, and cfa-miR-205). Three mapped to the murine genome (mmu-miR-484, mmu-miR-6240, mmu-miR-101a-3p) and 1 to the human genome (hsa-miR-1290). Expression in dogs with pancreatitis was higher for 7 microRNAs and lower for mmu-miR-101a-3p. Qiagen IPA demonstrated a number of the differently expressed microRNAs are involved in a common pancreatic inflammatory pathway. CONCLUSIONS The significantly differentially expressed microRNAs represent promising candidates for further validation as diagnostic biomarkers for canine pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan K. Armstrong
- School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Surrey, GuildfordSurreyUnited Kingdom
| | - Robert W. Hunter
- Edinburgh Kidney, Centre for Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Wilna Oosthyuzen
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Maciej Parys
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Silke Salavati Schmitz
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - James W. Dear
- Centre for Precision Cell Therapy for the Liver, Lothian Health BoardQueens Medical Research InstituteEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Mellanby
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- IdexxWetherbyUnited Kingdom
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13
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Fernández Á, Casamitjana J, Holguín-Horcajo A, Coolens K, Mularoni L, Pasquali L, Bailey-Lundberg JM, Rooman I, Wang YJ, Rovira M. A single-cell atlas of the murine pancreatic ductal tree identifies novel cell populations with potential implications in pancreas regeneration and exocrine pathogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582044. [PMID: 38463969 PMCID: PMC10925197 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background and aims Pancreatic ducts form an intricate network of tubules that secrete bicarbonate and drive acinar secretions into the duodenum. This network is formed by centroacinar cells, terminal, intercalated, intracalated ducts, and the main pancreatic duct. Ductal heterogeneity at the single-cell level has been poorly characterized; therefore, our understanding of the role of ductal cells in pancreas regeneration and exocrine pathogenesis has been hampered by the limited knowledge and unexplained diversity within the ductal network. Methods We used scRNA-seq to comprehensively characterize mouse ductal heterogeneity at single-cell resolution of the entire ductal epithelium from centroacinar cells to the main duct. Moreover, we used organoid cultures, injury models and pancreatic tumor samples to interrogate the role of novel ductal populations in pancreas regeneration and exocrine pathogenesis. Results We have identified the coexistence of 15 ductal populations within the healthy pancreas and characterized their organoid formation capacity and endocrine differentiation potential. Cluster isolation and subsequent culturing let us identify ductal cell populations with high organoid formation capacity and endocrine and exocrine differentiation potential in vitro , including Wnt-responsive-population, ciliated-population and FLRT3 + cells. Moreover, we have characterized the location of these novel ductal populations in healthy pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and tumor samples, highlighting a putative role of WNT-responsive, IFN-responsive and EMT-populations in pancreatic exocrine pathogenesis as their expression increases in chronic pancreatitis and PanIN lesions. Conclusions In light of our discovery of previously unidentified ductal populations, we unmask the potential roles of specific ductal populations in pancreas regeneration and exocrine pathogenesis.
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14
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Xu M, Zhao X, Wen T, Qu X. Unveiling the role of KRAS in tumor immune microenvironment. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116058. [PMID: 38171240 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rats sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), the first discovered human oncogene, has long been recognized as "undruggable". KRAS mutations frequently occur in multiple human cancers including non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), colorectal cancer(CRC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC), functioning as a "molecule switch" determining the activation of various oncogenic signaling pathways. Except for its intrinsic pro-tumorigenic role, KRAS alteration also exhibits an unique immune signature characterized by elevated PD-L1 level and high tumor mutational burden(TMB). KRAS mutation shape an immune suppressive microenvironment by impeding effective T cells infiltration and recruiting suppressive immune cells including myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs), regulatory T cells(Tregs), cancer associated fibroblasts(CAFs). In immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI) era, NSCLC patients with mutated KRAS tend to be more responsive to ICI than patients with intact KRAS. The hallmark for KRAS mutation is the existence of multiple kinds of co-mutations. Different types of co-alterations have distinct tumor microenvironment(TME) signatures and responses to ICI. TP53 co-mutation possess a "hot" TME and achieve higher response to immunotherapy while other loss of function mutation correlated with a "colder" TME and a poor outcome to ICI-based therapy. The groundbreaking discovery of KRAS G12C inhibitors significantly improved outcomes for this KRAS subtype even though efficacy was limited to NSCLC patients. KRAS G12C inhibitors also restore the suppressive TME, creating an opportunity for combinations with ICI. However, an inevitable challenge to KRAS inhibitors is drug resistance. Promising combination strategies such as combination with SHP2 is an approach deserve further exploration because of their immune modulatory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Provinces, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xing Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ti Wen
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Provinces, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiujuan Qu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Provinces, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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15
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Tay AHM, Cinotti R, Sze NSK, Lundqvist A. Inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1 improves dendritic cell infiltration into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264012. [PMID: 38187398 PMCID: PMC10766682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264012] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal and treatment resistant cancers. Due to its desmoplastic and hypoxic nature along with an abundance of myeloid cell infiltration and scarce T cell infiltration, PDAC is considered a cold tumor. Methods Here we sought to investigate myeloid cell infiltration and composition in PDAC spheroids by targeting the hypoxia-associated pathways endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase 1 alpha (ERO1a) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). Using MiaPaCa2 spheroids with hypoxic core, we assessed the roles of ERO1a and IDO1 inhibition in modulating monocyte infiltration and differentiation, followed by characterizing immunomodulatory factors secreted using LC-MS/MS. Results Inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1 significantly improved monocyte infiltration and differentiation into dendritic cells. LC-MS/MS analysis of the PDAC spheroid secretome identified downregulation of hypoxia and PDAC pathways, and upregulation of antigen presentation pathways upon inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1. Furthermore, immunomodulatory factors involved in immune infiltration and migration including interleukin-8, lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1, and transgelin-2, were upregulated upon inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1. Discussion Collectively, our results show that inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1 modulates the tumor microenvironment associated with improved monocyte infiltration and differentiation into dendritic cells to potentially influence therapeutic responses in patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apple Hui Min Tay
- School of Biological Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Riccardo Cinotti
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Newman Sui Kwan Sze
- School of Biological Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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16
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Qi D, Lu M, Xu P, Yao X, Chen Y, Gan L, Li Y, Cui Y, Tong X, Liu S, Zhao J, Liu N, Ye X. Transcription factor ETV4 promotes the development of hepatocellular carcinoma by driving hepatic TNF-α signaling. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2023; 43:1354-1372. [PMID: 37670477 PMCID: PMC10693303 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic inflammation is the major risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanism by which hepatic inflammation progresses to HCC is poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate the role of ETS translocation variant 4 (ETV4) in linking hepatic inflammation to HCC. METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting were used to detect the expression of ETV4 in HCC tissues and cell lines. RNA sequencing and luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify the target genes of ETV4. Hepatocyte-specific ETV4-knockout (ETV4fl/fl, alb-cre ) and transgenic (ETV4Hep-TG ) mice and diethylnitrosamine-carbon tetrachloride (DEN-CCL4 ) treatment experiments were applied to investigate the function of ETV4 in vivo. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database mining and pathological analysis were carried out to determine the correlation of ETV4 with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 11 (MAPK11). RESULTS We revealed that ETV4 was highly expressed in HCC. High levels of ETV4 predicted a poor survival rate of HCC patients. Then we identified ETV4 as a transcription activator of TNF-α and MAPK11. ETV4 was positively correlated with TNF-α and MAPK11 in HCC patients. As expected, an increase in hepatic TNF-α secretion and macrophage accumulation were observed in the livers of ETV4Hep-TG mice. The protein levels of TNF-α, MAPK11, and CD68 were significantly higher in the livers of ETV4Hep-TG mice compared with wild type mice but lower in ETV4fl/fl, alb-cre mice compared with ETV4fl/fl mice as treated with DEN-CCL4 , indicating that ETV4 functioned as a driver of TNF-α/MAPK11 expression and macrophage accumulation during hepatic inflammation. Hepatocyte-specific knockout of ETV4 significantly prevented development of DEN-CCL4 -induced HCC, while transgenic expression of ETV4 promoted growth of HCC. CONCLUSIONS ETV4 promoted hepatic inflammation and HCC by activating transcription of TNF-α and MAPK11. Both the ETV4/TNF-α and ETV4/MAPK11 axes represented two potential therapeutic targets for highly associated hepatic inflammation and HCC. ETV4+TNF-α were potential prognostic markers for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Min Lu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- Savaid Medical SchoolUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General HospitalBeijingP. R. China
| | - Xinli Yao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- Savaid Medical SchoolUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Yongchen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- Savaid Medical SchoolUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Lipeng Gan
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- Savaid Medical SchoolUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Yong Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- Savaid Medical SchoolUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Yahua Cui
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiP. R. China
| | - Xiaomei Tong
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Shuhong Liu
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General HospitalBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jingmin Zhao
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General HospitalBeijingP. R. China
| | - Ningning Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Xin Ye
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and ImmunologyInstitute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- Savaid Medical SchoolUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
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17
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Kumar V, Mahato RI. Natural killer cells for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy: Role of nanoparticles. Cancer Lett 2023; 579:216462. [PMID: 37924937 PMCID: PMC10842153 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Advanced pancreatic cancer patients have a dismal prognosis despite advances in integrative therapy. The field of tumor immunology has witnessed significant advancements for cancer treatment. However, immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer is not very effective due to its highly complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play an important role in the innate immune system. NK cells do not require antigen pre-sensitization, nor are they confined by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). NK cells have the potential to eliminate cancer cells through CAR-dependent and CAR-independent pathways, demonstrating reduced levels of systemic toxicity in the process. The availability of several potential sources of NK cells is an additional benefit that contributes to meeting the therapeutic criteria. Adding nanotechnology to enhance the functions of effector NK cells is also an appealing strategy. This article primarily discusses various approaches recently been utilized to enhance the NK functions for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In addition, new advances in boosting NK cell therapeutic efficacy by nanoparticle mediation are presented, with a focus on pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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18
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Wittwer NL, Brown MP, Liapis V, Staudacher AH. Antibody drug conjugates: hitting the mark in pancreatic cancer? J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:280. [PMID: 37880707 PMCID: PMC10598980 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death, and the 5-year survival rate has only improved marginally over the last decade. Late detection of the disease means that in most cases the disease has advanced locally and/or metastasized, and curative surgery is not possible. Chemotherapy is still the first-line treatment however, this has only had a modest impact in improving survival, with associated toxicities. Therefore, there is an urgent need for targeted approaches to better treat pancreatic cancer, while minimizing treatment-induced side-effects. Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are one treatment option that could fill this gap. Here, a monoclonal antibody is used to deliver extremely potent drugs directly to the tumor site to improve on-target killing while reducing off-target toxicity. In this paper, we review the current literature for ADC targets that have been examined in vivo for treating pancreatic cancer, summarize current and on-going clinical trials using ADCs to treat pancreatic cancer and discuss potential strategies to improve their therapeutic window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Wittwer
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Michael P Brown
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Vasilios Liapis
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Alexander H Staudacher
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
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19
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Tran LC, Özdemir BC, Berger MD. The Role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Current State and Outlook. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1411. [PMID: 37895882 PMCID: PMC10609661 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest tumors, characterized by its aggressive tumor biology and poor prognosis. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) play a major part in the treatment algorithm of various solid tumors, there is still no evidence of clinical benefit from ICI in patients with metastatic PDAC (mPDAC). This might be due to several reasons, such as the inherent low immunogenicity of pancreatic cancer, the dense stroma-rich tumor microenvironment that precludes an efficient migration of antitumoral effector T cells to the cancer cells, and the increased proportion of immunosuppressive immune cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), facilitating tumor growth and invasion. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of ICIs in mPDAC, report on the biological rationale to implement ICIs into the treatment strategy of pancreatic cancer, and discuss preclinical studies and clinical trials in this field. Additionally, we shed light on the challenges of implementing ICIs into the treatment strategy of PDAC and discuss potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin D. Berger
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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20
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Guo J, Wang S, Gao Q. An integrated overview of the immunosuppression features in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258538. [PMID: 37771596 PMCID: PMC10523014 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest malignancies. It is characterized by a complex and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is primarily composed of tumor cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and acellular components. The cross-interactions and -regulations among various cell types in the TME have been recognized to profoundly shape the immunosuppression features that meaningfully affect PDAC biology and treatment outcomes. In this review, we first summarize five cellular composition modules by integrating the cellular (sub)types, phenotypes, and functions in PDAC TME. Then we discuss an integrated overview of the cross-module regulations as a determinant of the immunosuppressive TME in PDAC. We also briefly highlight TME-targeted strategies that potentially improve PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglong Guo
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Siyue Wang
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qi Gao
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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21
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Liu Y, Xie B, Chen Q. RAS signaling and immune cells: a sinister crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment. J Transl Med 2023; 21:595. [PMID: 37670322 PMCID: PMC10481548 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04486-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The rat sarcoma virus (RAS) gene is the most commonly mutated oncogene in cancer, with about 19% of cancer patients carrying RAS mutations. Studies on the interaction between RAS mutation and tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) have been flourishing in recent years. More and more evidence has proved that RAS signals regulate immune cells' recruitment, activation, and differentiation while assisting tumor cells to evade immune surveillance. This review concluded the direct and indirect treatment strategies for RAS mutations. In addition, we updated the underlying mechanisms by which RAS signaling modulated immune infiltration and immune escape. Finally, we discussed advances in RAS-targeted immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapies, with a particular focus on combination strategies with personalized therapy and great potential to achieve lasting clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongting Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Bin Xie
- Department of Geriatrics, Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Qiong Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
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22
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Storz P. Roles of differently polarized macrophages in the initiation and progressionof pancreatic cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1237711. [PMID: 37638028 PMCID: PMC10450961 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1237711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
During development of pancreatic cancer macrophage-mediated inflammatory processes and the formation of cancerous lesions are tightly connected. Based on insight from mouse models we provide an overview on the functions of classically-activated pro-inflammatory and alternatively-activated anti-inflammatory macrophages in the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. We highlight their roles in earliest events of tumor initiation such as acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), organization of the fibrotic lesion microenvironment, and growth of low-grade (LG) lesions. We then discuss their roles as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in progression to high-grade (HG) lesions with a cancerous invasive phenotype and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Another focus is on how targeting these macrophage populations can affect immunosuppression, fibrosis and responses to chemotherapy, and eventually how this knowledge could be used for novel therapy approaches for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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23
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Lin HJ, Liu Y, Caroland K, Lin J. Polarization of Cancer-Associated Macrophages Maneuver Neoplastic Attributes of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3507. [PMID: 37444617 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence links the phenomenon of enhanced recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages towards cancer bulks to neoplastic growth, invasion, metastasis, immune escape, matrix remodeling, and therapeutic resistance. In the context of cancer progression, naïve macrophages are polarized into M1 or M2 subtypes according to their differentiation status, gene signatures, and functional roles. While the former render proinflammatory and anticancer effects, the latter subpopulation elicits an opposite impact on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. M2 macrophages have gained increasing attention as they are largely responsible for molding an immune-suppressive landscape. Through positive feedback circuits involving a paracrine manner, M2 macrophages can be amplified by and synergized with neighboring neoplastic cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and non-cell autonomous constituents in the microenvironmental niche to promote an advanced disease state. This review delineates the molecular cues expanding M2 populations that subsequently convey notorious clinical outcomes. Future therapeutic regimens shall comprise protocols attempting to abolish environmental niches favoring M2 polarization; weaken cancer growth typically assisted by M2; promote the recruitment of tumoricidal CD8+ T lymphocytes and dendritic cells; and boost susceptibility towards gemcitabine as well as other chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huey-Jen Lin
- Department of Medical & Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Willard Hall Education Building, 16 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Yingguang Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Liberty University, 306 Liberty View Lane, Lynchburg, VA 24502, USA
| | - Kailey Caroland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, 108 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jiayuh Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, 108 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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24
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Liou GY, Fleming Martinez AK, Döppler HR, Bastea LI, Storz P. Inflammatory and alternatively activated macrophages independently induce metaplasia but cooperatively drive pancreatic precancerous lesion growth. iScience 2023; 26:106820. [PMID: 37250781 PMCID: PMC10212997 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system has a key role in pancreatic cancer initiation, but the specific contribution of different macrophage populations is still ill-defined. While inflammatory (M1) macrophages have been shown to drive acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), a cancer initiating event, alternatively activated (M2) macrophages have been attributed to lesion growth and fibrosis. Here, we determined cytokines and chemokines secreted by both macrophage subtypes. Then, we analyzed their role in ADM initiation and lesion growth, finding that while M1 secrete TNF, CCL5, and IL-6 to drive ADM, M2 induce this dedifferentiation process via CCL2, but the effects are not additive. This is because CCL2 induces ADM by generating ROS and upregulating EGFR signaling, thus using the same mechanism as cytokines from inflammatory macrophages. Therefore, while effects on ADM are not additive between macrophage polarization types, both act synergistically on the growth of low-grade lesions by activating different MAPK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geou-Yarh Liou
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research & Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | | | - Heike R. Döppler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ligia I. Bastea
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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25
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Marstrand-Daucé L, Lorenzo D, Chassac A, Nicole P, Couvelard A, Haumaitre C. Acinar-to-Ductal Metaplasia (ADM): On the Road to Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN) and Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9946. [PMID: 37373094 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult pancreatic acinar cells show high plasticity allowing them to change in their differentiation commitment. Pancreatic acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) is a cellular process in which the differentiated pancreatic acinar cells transform into duct-like cells. This process can occur as a result of cellular injury or inflammation in the pancreas. While ADM is a reversible process allowing pancreatic acinar regeneration, persistent inflammation or injury can lead to the development of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), which is a common precancerous lesion that precedes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Several factors can contribute to the development of ADM and PanIN, including environmental factors such as obesity, chronic inflammation and genetic mutations. ADM is driven by extrinsic and intrinsic signaling. Here, we review the current knowledge on the cellular and molecular biology of ADM. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ADM is critical for the development of new therapeutic strategies for pancreatitis and PDAC. Identifying the intermediate states and key molecules that regulate ADM initiation, maintenance and progression may help the development of novel preventive strategies for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Marstrand-Daucé
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Diane Lorenzo
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Anaïs Chassac
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
- Department of Pathology, Bichat Hospital, Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Pascal Nicole
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Anne Couvelard
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
- Department of Pathology, Bichat Hospital, Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Haumaitre
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
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26
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Liou GY, Byrd CJ. Diagnostic Bioliquid Markers for Pancreatic Cancer: What We Have vs. What We Need. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2446. [PMID: 37173913 PMCID: PMC10177101 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, currently has a dismal five-year survival rate of approximately 10% due to late diagnosis and a lack of efficient treatment options such as surgery. Furthermore, the majority of PDAC patients have surgically unresectable cancer, meaning cancer cells have either reached the surrounding blood vessels or metastasized to other organs distant from the pancreas area, resulting in low survival rates as compared to other types of cancers. In contrast, the five-year survival rate of surgically resectable PDAC patients is currently 44%. The late diagnosis of PDAC is a result of little or no symptoms in its early stage of development and a lack of specific biomarkers that may be utilized in routine examinations in the clinic. Although healthcare professionals understand the importance of early detection of PDAC, the research on the subject has lagged and no significant changes in the death toll of PDAC patients has been observed. This review is focused on understanding potential biomarkers that may increase the early diagnosis of PDAC patients at its surgically resectable stage. Here, we summarize the currently available biomarkers used in the clinic as well as those being developed with the hope of providing insight into the future of liquid biomarkers to be used in routine examinations for the early diagnosis of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geou-Yarh Liou
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | - Crystal J. Byrd
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
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27
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Myo Min KK, Ffrench CB, Jessup CF, Shepherdson M, Barreto SG, Bonder CS. Overcoming the Fibrotic Fortress in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082354. [PMID: 37190281 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
An overabundance of desmoplasia in the tumour microenvironment (TME) is one of the defining features that influences pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development, progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Desmoplasia is characterised by the recruitment and activation of fibroblasts, heightened extracellular matrix deposition (ECM) and reduced blood supply, as well as increased inflammation through an influx of inflammatory cells and cytokines, creating an intrinsically immunosuppressive TME with low immunogenic potential. Herein, we review the development of PDAC, the drivers that initiate and/or sustain the progression of the disease and the complex and interwoven nature of the cellular and acellular components that come together to make PDAC one of the most aggressive and difficult to treat cancers. We review the challenges in delivering drugs into the fortress of PDAC tumours in concentrations that are therapeutic due to the presence of a highly fibrotic and immunosuppressive TME. Taken together, we present further support for continued/renewed efforts focusing on aspects of the extremely dense and complex TME of PDAC to improve the efficacy of therapy for better patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay K Myo Min
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Charlie B Ffrench
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Claire F Jessup
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Mia Shepherdson
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Hepatopancreatobiliary & Liver Transplant Unit, Division of Surgery & Perioperative Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Savio George Barreto
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Hepatopancreatobiliary & Liver Transplant Unit, Division of Surgery & Perioperative Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Claudine S Bonder
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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28
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Walcheck MT, Schwartz PB, Carrillo ND, Matkowsky KA, Nukaya M, Bradfield CA, Ronnekleiv-Kelly SM. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout accelerates PanIN formation and fibro-inflammation in a mutant Kras-driven pancreatic cancer model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.01.526625. [PMID: 36778364 PMCID: PMC9915668 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.01.526625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Objectives The pathogenesis of pancreas cancer (PDAC) remains poorly understood, hindering efforts to develop a more effective therapy for PDAC. Recent discoveries show the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several cancers, and can be targeted for therapeutic effect. However, its involvement in PDAC remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the role of AHR in the development of PDAC in vivo. Methods We created a global AHR-null, mutant Kras-driven PDAC mouse model (A-/-KC) and evaluated the changes in PDAC precursor lesion formation (Pan-IN 1, 2, and 3) and associated fibro-inflammation between KC and A-/-KC at 5 months of age. We then examined the changes in the immune microenvironment followed by single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis to evaluate concomitant transcriptomic changes. Results We found a significant increase in PanIN-1 lesion formation and PanIN-1 associated fibro-inflammatory infiltrate in A-/-KC vs KC mice. This was associated with significant changes in the adaptive immune system, particularly a decrease in the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio, as well as a decrease in the T-regulatory/Th17 T-cell ratio suggesting unregulated inflammation. Conclusion These findings show the loss of AHR results in heightened Kras-induced PanIN formation, through modulation of immune cells within the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan T Walcheck
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
| | - Patrick B Schwartz
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
| | - Noah D Carrillo
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Kristina A Matkowsky
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, L5/183 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Manabu Nukaya
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Christopher A Bradfield
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Sean M Ronnekleiv-Kelly
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, K4/747 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
- University of Wisconsin, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, McArdle Research Building, Madison, WI, 53706
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29
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Menjivar RE, Nwosu ZC, Du W, Donahue KL, Hong HS, Espinoza C, Brown K, Velez-Delgado A, Yan W, Lima F, Bischoff A, Kadiyala P, Salas-Escabillas D, Crawford HC, Bednar F, Carpenter E, Zhang Y, Halbrook CJ, Lyssiotis CA, Pasca di Magliano M. Arginase 1 is a key driver of immune suppression in pancreatic cancer. eLife 2023; 12:e80721. [PMID: 36727849 PMCID: PMC10260021 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
An extensive fibroinflammatory stroma rich in macrophages is a hallmark of pancreatic cancer. In this disease, it is well appreciated that macrophages are immunosuppressive and contribute to the poor response to immunotherapy; however, the mechanisms of immune suppression are complex and not fully understood. Immunosuppressive macrophages are classically defined by the expression of the enzyme Arginase 1 (ARG1), which we demonstrated is potently expressed in pancreatic tumor-associated macrophages from both human patients and mouse models. While routinely used as a polarization marker, ARG1 also catabolizes arginine, an amino acid required for T cell activation and proliferation. To investigate this metabolic function, we used a genetic and a pharmacologic approach to target Arg1 in pancreatic cancer. Genetic inactivation of Arg1 in macrophages, using a dual recombinase genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic cancer, delayed formation of invasive disease, while increasing CD8+ T cell infiltration. Additionally, Arg1 deletion induced compensatory mechanisms, including Arg1 overexpression in epithelial cells, namely Tuft cells, and Arg2 overexpression in a subset of macrophages. To overcome these compensatory mechanisms, we used a pharmacological approach to inhibit arginase. Treatment of established tumors with the arginase inhibitor CB-1158 exhibited further increased CD8+ T cell infiltration, beyond that seen with the macrophage-specific knockout, and sensitized the tumors to anti-PD1 immune checkpoint blockade. Our data demonstrate that Arg1 drives immune suppression in pancreatic cancer by depleting arginine and inhibiting T cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa E Menjivar
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Zeribe C Nwosu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Wenting Du
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Katelyn L Donahue
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Hanna S Hong
- Department of Immunology, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Carlos Espinoza
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Kristee Brown
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Ashley Velez-Delgado
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Fatima Lima
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Allison Bischoff
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Padma Kadiyala
- Department of Immunology, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | | | | | - Filip Bednar
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
- Rogel Cancer CenterAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Eileen Carpenter
- Rogel Cancer CenterAnn ArborUnited States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterolog, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Yaqing Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
- Rogel Cancer CenterAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Christopher J Halbrook
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineUnited States
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, IrvineIrvineUnited States
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
- Rogel Cancer CenterAnn ArborUnited States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterolog, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
- Henry Ford Pancreatic Cancer CenterDetroitUnited States
- Rogel Cancer CenterAnn ArborUnited States
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30
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Zhao YX, Xu BW, Wang FQ, Jiang FY, Xu JW, Yu DX. nc-RNA-mediated high expression of CDK6 correlates with poor prognosis and immune infiltration in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Med 2023; 12:5110-5123. [PMID: 36457244 PMCID: PMC9972169 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence manifests that cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) plays an essential part in the initiation and progression of several types of human cancer, and its descending expression is correlated with an adverse prognosis. However, the precise role of CDK6 in Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains obscure. AIMS To identify the potential ceRNA regulatory axis of CDK6 in PC and explore its relationship with immune cells and immune checkpoints. MATERIALS & METHODS Using The Cancer Genome Atlas TCGA and GTEx data analyze the expression and survival of CDK6 in patients in pan-cancer, and cellular experiments were performed to verify the effect of CDK6 on cell function. Using GEPIA and STARBASE databases to analyze prognosis, expression and survival, and identify non coding RNA (ncRNA) that mediates CDK6 overexpression. The TIMER 2.0 database was used for immune correlation analysis. RESULTS We revealed CDK6 might be an oncogene in PC, and the HOXA11-AS /NR2F1-AS1- miR-454-3p axis was identified as the possible upstream ncRNA-associated pathway of CDK6 in PC. In addition, CDK6 show significant association with three immune checkpoints (PD-L1, PD-L2, and HAVCR2), the infiltration level of immune cells, and immunity biomarkers. DISCUSSION We discussed some applications of CDK6 in breast cancer, melanoma, and hemorrhagic malignancies. The role of miR-15a-5p, HOXA11-AS and NR2F1-AS1 in tumor development was also discussed based on existing studies. The potential mechanism of CDK6 affecting immune cells in pancreatic cancer was discussed. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results established that nc-RNA-mediated high expression of CDK6 is associated with patient outcomes and immune invasion in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xuan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bo-Wen Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fang-Qing Wang
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Feng-Yang Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jian-Wei Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - De-Xin Yu
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Beutel AK, Halbrook CJ. Barriers and opportunities for gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer therapy. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C540-C552. [PMID: 36571444 PMCID: PMC9925166 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00331.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has become one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths across the world. A lack of durable responses to standard-of-care chemotherapies renders its treatment particularly challenging and largely contributes to the devastating outcome. Gemcitabine, a pyrimidine antimetabolite, is a cornerstone in PDA treatment. Given the importance of gemcitabine in PDA therapy, extensive efforts are focusing on exploring mechanisms by which cancer cells evade gemcitabine cytotoxicity, but strategies to overcome them have not been translated into patient care. Here, we will introduce the standard treatment paradigm for patients with PDA, highlight mechanisms of gemcitabine action, elucidate gemcitabine resistance mechanisms, and discuss promising strategies to circumvent them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alica K Beutel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christopher J Halbrook
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, California
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32
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Niu N, Shen X, Zhang L, Chen Y, Lu P, Yang W, Liu M, Shi J, Xu D, Tang Y, Yang X, Weng Y, Zhao X, Wu L, Sun Y, Xue J. Tumor Cell-Intrinsic SETD2 Deficiency Reprograms Neutrophils to Foster Immune Escape in Pancreatic Tumorigenesis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2202937. [PMID: 36453584 PMCID: PMC9839845 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic and epigenetic alterations play central roles in shaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to evade immune surveillance. The previous study shows that SETD2-H3K36me3 loss promotes KRAS-induced pancreatic tumorigenesis. However, little is known about its role in remodeling the TME and immune evasion. Here, it is shown that SETD2 deficiency can reprogram neutrophils to an immunosuppressive phenotype, thereby promoting immune escape during pancreatic tumor progression. By comprehensive profiling of the intratumoral immune cells, neutrophils are identified as the subset with the most significant changes upon Setd2 loss. Setd2-deficient pancreatic tumor cells directly enhance neutrophil recruitment and reprogramming, thereby inhibiting the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells to foster tumor progression. Mechanistically, it is revealed that Setd2-H3K36me3 loss leads to ectopic gain of H3K27me3 to downregulate Cxadr expression, which boosts the PI3K-AKT pathway and excessive expression of CXCL1 and GM-CSF, thereby promoting neutrophil recruitment and reprogramming toward an immunosuppressive phenotype. The study provides mechanistic insights into how tumor cell-intrinsic Setd2 deficiency strengthens the immune escape during pancreatic tumorigenesis, which may offer potential therapeutic implications for pancreatic cancer patients with SETD2 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Xuqing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Yueyue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Ping Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Mingzhu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Juanjuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Dapeng Xu
- Department of Biliary‐Pancreatic SurgeryRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Yingying Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Xiaotong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Yawen Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Department of RadiologyRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Lian‐Ming Wu
- Department of RadiologyRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Yongwei Sun
- Department of Biliary‐Pancreatic SurgeryRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Jing Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesStem Cell Research CenterShanghai Cancer InstituteRen Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine160 Pujian RdShanghai200127P. R. China
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Abdollahi E, Johnston TP, Ghaneifar Z, Vahedi P, Goleij P, Azhdari S, Moghaddam AS. Immunomodulatory Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin on M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization in Inflammatory Diseases. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2023; 16:2-14. [PMID: 35331128 DOI: 10.2174/1874467215666220324114624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to their plasticity, macrophages exert critical effects on both promoting and suppressing inflammatory processes. Pathologic inflammatory conditions are frequently correlated with dynamic alterations in macrophage activation, with classically activated M1 cells associated with the promotion and maintenance of inflammation and M2 cells being linked to the resolution or smouldering of chronic inflammation. Inflammation deputes a common feature of various chronic diseases and the direct involvement in the insurgence and development of these conditions. Macrophages participate in an autoregulatory loop characterizing the inflammatory process, as they produce a wide range of biologically active mediators that exert either deleterious or beneficial effects during the inflammation. Therefore, balancing the favorable ratios of M1/M2 macrophages can help ameliorate the inflammatory landscape of pathologic conditions. Curcumin is a component of turmeric with many pharmacological properties. OBJECTIVE Recent results from both in-vivo and in-vitro studies have indicated that curcumin can affect polarization and/or functions of macrophage subsets in the context of inflammation-related diseases. There is no comprehensive review of the impact of curcumin on cytokines involved in macrophage polarization in the context of inflammatory diseases. The present review will cover some efforts to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms by which curcumin modulates the macrophage polarization in distant pathological inflammatory conditions, such as cancer, autoimmunity, renal inflammation, stroke, atherosclerosis, and macrophage-driven pathogenesis. RESULTS The accumulation of the findings from in vitro and in vivo experimental studies suggests that curcumin beneficially influences M1 and M2 macrophages in a variety of inflammatory diseases with unfavorable macrophage activation. CONCLUSION Curcumin not only enhances anti-tumor immunity (via shifting M polarization towards M1 phenotype and/or up-regulation of M1 markers expression) but ameliorates inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases (experimental autoimmune myocarditis and Behcet's disease), nephropathy, chronic serum sickness, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Abdollahi
- Department of Gynecology, Woman Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Immunology and Allergy, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Thomas P Johnston
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Zahra Ghaneifar
- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parviz Vahedi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Pouya Goleij
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sana Institute of Higher Education, Sari, Iran
| | - Sara Azhdari
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, School of Medicine, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Abbas Shapouri Moghaddam
- Department of Immunology, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Badheeb M, Abdelrahim A, Esmail A, Umoru G, Abboud K, Al-Najjar E, Rasheed G, Alkhulaifawi M, Abudayyeh A, Abdelrahim M. Pancreatic Tumorigenesis: Precursors, Genetic Risk Factors and Screening. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:8693-8719. [PMID: 36421339 PMCID: PMC9689647 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29110686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant and aggressive tumor. Despite medical advancement, the silent nature of PC results in only 20% of all cases considered resectable at the time of diagnosis. It is projected to become the second leading cause in 2030. Most pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages. Such cases are typically unresectable and are associated with a 5-year survival of less than 10%. Although there is no guideline consensus regarding recommendations for screening for pancreatic cancer, early detection has been associated with better outcomes. In addition to continued utilization of imaging and conventional tumor markers, clinicians should be aware of novel testing modalities that may be effective for early detection of pancreatic cancer in individuals with high-risk factors. The pathogenesis of PC is not well understood; however, various modifiable and non-modifiable factors have been implicated in pancreatic oncogenesis. PC detection in the earlier stages is associated with better outcomes; nevertheless, most oncological societies do not recommend universal screening as it may result in a high false-positive rate. Therefore, targeted screening for high-risk individuals represents a reasonable option. In this review, we aimed to summarize the pathogenesis, genetic risk factors, high-risk population, and screening modalities for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Badheeb
- Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Hadhramout University, Mukalla 50512, Yemen
| | | | - Abdullah Esmail
- Section of GI Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (A.E.); (M.A.)
| | - Godsfavour Umoru
- Department of Pharmacy, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Karen Abboud
- Department of Pharmacy, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ebtesam Al-Najjar
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Sana’a 15201, Yemen
| | - Ghaith Rasheed
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | | | - Ala Abudayyeh
- Section of Nephrology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Section of GI Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 14853, USA
- Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutic Phase I Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (A.E.); (M.A.)
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35
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Xiang H, Yu H, Zhou Q, Wu Y, Ren J, Zhao Z, Tao X, Dong D. Macrophages: A rising star in immunotherapy for chronic pancreatitis. Pharmacol Res 2022; 185:106508. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Yang HL, Lai ZZ, Shi JW, Zhou WJ, Mei J, Ye JF, Zhang T, Wang J, Zhao JY, Li DJ, Li MQ. A defective lysophosphatidic acid-autophagy axis increases miscarriage risk by restricting decidual macrophage residence. Autophagy 2022; 18:2459-2480. [PMID: 35220880 PMCID: PMC9542369 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2039000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Massive infiltrated and enriched decidual macrophages (dMφ) have been widely regarded as important regulators of maternal-fetal immune tolerance and trophoblast invasion, contributing to normal pregnancy. However, the characteristics of metabolic profile and the underlying mechanism of dMφ residence remain largely unknown. Here, we observe that dMφ display an active glycerophospholipid metabolism. The activation of ENPP2-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) facilitates the adhesion and retention, and M2 differentiation of dMφ during normal pregnancy. Mechanistically, this process is mediated through activation of the LPA receptors (LPAR1 and PPARG/PPARγ)-DDIT4-macroautophagy/autophagy axis, and further upregulation of multiple adhesion factors (e.g., cadherins and selectins) in a CLDN7 (claudin 7)-dependent manner. Additionally, poor trophoblast invasion and placenta development, and a high ratio of embryo loss are observed in Enpp2±, lpar1-/- or PPARG-blocked pregnant mice. Patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion display insufficient autophagy and cell residence of dMφ. In therapeutic studies, supplementation with LPA or the autophagy inducer rapamycin significantly promotes dMφ autophagy and cell residence, and improves embryo resorption in Enpp2± and spontaneous abortion mouse models, which should be dependent on the activation of DDIT4-autophagy-CLDN7-adhesion molecules axis. This observation reveals that inactivation of ENPP2-LPA metabolism and insufficient autophagy of dMφ result in resident obstacle of dMφ and further increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, and provides potential therapeutic strategies to prevent spontaneous abortion.Abbreviations: ACTB: actin beta; ADGRE1/F4/80: adhesion G protein-coupled receptor E1; Atg5: autophagy related 5; ATG13: autophagy related 13; BECN1: beclin 1; CDH1/E-cadherin: cadherin 1; CDH5/VE-cadherin: cadherin 5; CFSE: carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester; CLDN7: claudin 7; CSF1/M-CSF: colony stimulating factor 1; CSF2/GM-CSF: colony stimulating factor 2; Ctrl: control; CXCL10/IP-10: chemokine (C-X-C) ligand 10; DDIT4: DNA damage inducible transcript 4; dMφ: decidual macrophage; DSC: decidual stromal cells; ENPP2/ATX: ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 2; Enpp2±: Enpp2 heterozygous knockout mouse; ENPP2i/PF-8380: ENPP2 inhibitor; EPCAM: epithelial cell adhesion molecule; ESC: endometrial stromal cells; FGF2/b-FGF: fibroblast growth factor 2; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GPCPD1: glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase 1; HE: heterozygote; HIF1A: hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha; HNF4A: hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha; HO: homozygote; ICAM2: intercellular adhesion molecule 2; IL: interleukin; ITGAV/CD51: integrin subunit alpha V; ITGAM/CD11b: integrin subunit alpha M; ITGAX/CD11b: integrin subunit alpha X; ITGB3/CD61: integrin subunit beta 3; KLRB1/NK1.1: killer cell lectin like receptor B1; KRT7/cytokeratin 7: keratin 7; LPA: lysophosphatidic acid; LPAR: lysophosphatidic acid receptor; lpar1-/-: lpar1 homozygous knockout mouse; LPAR1i/AM966: LPAR1 inhibitor; LY6C: lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus C1; LYPLA1: lysophospholipase 1; LYPLA2: lysophospholipase 2; Lyz2: lysozyme 2; MAP1LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MARVELD2: MARVEL domain containing 2; 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; MBOAT2: membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 2; MGLL: monoglyceride lipase; MRC1/CD206: mannose receptor C-type 1; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NP: normal pregnancy; PDGF: platelet derived growth factor; PLA1A: phospholipase A1 member A; PLA2G4A: phospholipase A2 group IVA; PLPP1: phospholipid phosphatase 1; pMo: peripheral blood monocytes; p-MTOR: phosphorylated MTOR; PPAR: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor; PPARG/PPARγ: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma; PPARGi/GW9662: PPARG inhibitor; PTPRC/CD45: protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type, C; Rapa: rapamycin; RHEB: Ras homolog, mTORC1 binding; SA: spontaneous abortion; SELE: selectin E; SELL: selectin L; siCLDN7: CLDN7-silenced; STAT: signal transducer and activator of transcription; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TJP1: tight junction protein 1; VCAM1: vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Li Yang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080People’s Republic of China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Lai
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia-Wei Shi
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen-Jie Zhou
- Center of Reproductive Medicine of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200025, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Mei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medicine School, Nanjing, 210000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Feng Ye
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 229899, Singapore
| | - Tao Zhang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian Wang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian-Yuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200433, People’s Republic of China,Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology (IMIB), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200433, People’s Republic of China
| | - Da-Jin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080People’s Republic of China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, People’s Republic of China,CONTACT Ming-Qing Li ;Da-Jin Li Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai200080, People’s Republic of China
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Skorupan N, Palestino Dominguez M, Ricci SL, Alewine C. Clinical Strategies Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4209. [PMID: 36077755 PMCID: PMC9454553 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a complex tumor microenvironment which engages in extensive crosstalk between cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells. Many of these interactions contribute to tumor resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Here, new therapeutic strategies designed to modulate the cancer-associated fibroblast and immune compartments of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are described and clinical trials of novel therapeutics are discussed. Continued advances in our understanding of the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment are generating stromal and immune-modulating therapeutics that may improve patient responses to anti-tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nebojsa Skorupan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Medical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mayrel Palestino Dominguez
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Samuel L. Ricci
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christine Alewine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Avery TY, Köhler N, Zeiser R, Brummer T, Ruess DA. Onco-immunomodulatory properties of pharmacological interference with RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:931774. [PMID: 35965494 PMCID: PMC9363660 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.931774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK cascade - a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway – has a well-known association with oncogenesis of leading tumor entities, including non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Increasing evidence shows that genetic alterations leading to RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation mediate contact- and soluble-dependent crosstalk between tumor, tumor microenvironment (TME) and the immune system resulting in immune escape mechanisms and establishment of a tumor-sustaining environment. Consequently, pharmacological interruption of this pathway not only leads to tumor-cell intrinsic disruptive effects but also modification of the TME and anti-tumor immunomodulation. At the same time, the importance of ERK signaling in immune cell physiology and potentiation of anti-tumor immune responses through ERK signaling inhibition within immune cell subsets has received growing appreciation. Specifically, a strong case was made for targeted MEK inhibition due to promising associated immune cell intrinsic modulatory effects. However, the successful transition of therapeutic agents interrupting RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK hyperactivation is still being hampered by significant limitations regarding durable efficacy, therapy resistance and toxicity. We here collate and summarize the multifaceted role of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling in physiology and oncoimmunology and outline the rationale and concepts for exploitation of immunomodulatory properties of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK inhibition while accentuating the role of MEK inhibition in combinatorial and intermittent anticancer therapy. Furthermore, we point out the extensive scientific efforts dedicated to overcoming the challenges encountered during the clinical transition of various therapeutic agents in the search for the most effective and safe patient- and tumor-tailored treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Yul Avery
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
| | - Natalie Köhler
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dietrich Alexander Ruess
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
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Liu C, He D, Li L, Zhang S, Wang L, Fan Z, Wang Y. Extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer immune escape: Emerging roles and mechanisms. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106364. [PMID: 35901939 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most lethal malignancy worldwide due to its delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options. Despite great progress in clinical trials of immunotherapies for various cancers, their effectiveness in PC is very low, indicating that immune evasion is still a major obstacle to immunotherapy in PC. However, the mechanism of immune escape in PC is not fully understood, which substantially restricts the development of immunotherapy. As an important component of intercellular communication networks, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted increasing attention in relation to immune escape. This review aims to provide a better understanding of the roles of EVs in tumor immune escape and the potential to expand their application in cancer immunotherapy. The relationship between PC and the tumor immune microenvironment is briefly introduced. Then, the mechanism by which EVs are involved in immune regulation is summarized, and the latest progress in determining the role of EVs in regulating PC immune escape is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
| | - Dongyue He
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longmei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shihui Zhang
- Artemisinin Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhijin Fan
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yichao Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Tai Zhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), No.999 Donghai Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, China.
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MUC1-mediated Macrophage Activation Promotes Colitis-associated Colorectal Cancer via Activating the Interleukin-6/ Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Axis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:789-811. [PMID: 35809803 PMCID: PMC9424590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS MUC1 is abnormally expressed in colorectal cancer, including colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), but its role in tumorigenesis is unclear. This study investigated MUC1's effects in murine models of colitis and CAC and elucidated mechanisms of action. METHODS Colitis and CAC were induced in mice by exposure to dextran sodium sulfate or azoxymethane plus dextran sodium sulphate. Clinical parameters, immune cell infiltration, and tumor development were monitored throughout disease progression. Experiments in knockout mice and bone marrow chimeras were combined with an exploration of immune cell abundance and function. RESULTS Deficiency of Muc1 suppressed inflammation, inhibited tumor progression, increased abundance of CD8+ T lymphocytes, and reduced abundance of macrophages in colon tumors. Bone marrow chimeras showed promotion of CAC was primarily mediated by Muc1-expressing hematopoietic cells, and that MUC1 promoted a pro-tumoral immunosuppressive macrophage phenotype within tumors. Mechanistic studies revealed that Muc1 deficiency remarkably reduced interleukin-6 levels in the colonic tissues and tumors that was mainly produced by infiltrating macrophages at day 21, 42, and 85. In bone marrow-derived macrophages, MUC1 promoted responsiveness to chemoattractant and promoted activation into a phenotype with high Il6 and Ido1 expression, secreting factors which inhibited CD8+ T cell proliferation. MUC1 potently drives macrophages to produce interleukin-6, which in turn drives a pro-tumorigenic activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in colon epithelial tumor and stromal cells, ultimately increasing the occurrence and development of CAC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide cellular and molecular mechanisms for the pro-tumorigenic functions of MUC1 in the inflamed colon. Therapeutic strategies to inhibit MUC1 signal transduction warrant consideration for the prevention or therapy of CAC.
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Fleming Martinez AK, Döppler HR, Bastea LI, Edenfield BH, Liou GY, Storz P. Ym1 + macrophages orchestrate fibrosis, lesion growth, and progression during development of murine pancreatic cancer. iScience 2022; 25:104327. [PMID: 35602933 PMCID: PMC9118688 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmoplasia around pancreatic lesions is a barrier for immune cells and a hallmark of developing and established pancreatic cancer. However, the contribution of the innate immune system to this process is ill-defined. Using the KC mouse model and primary cells in vitro, we show that alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) crosstalk with pancreatic lesion cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to mediate fibrosis and progression of lesions. TGFβ1 secreted by AAM not only drives activation of quiescent PSCs but also in activated PSCs upregulates expression of TIMP1, a factor previously shown as crucial in fibrosis. Once activated, PSCs auto-stimulate proliferation via CXCL12. Furthermore, we found that TIMP1/CD63 signaling mediates PanIN lesion growth and TGFβ1 contributes to a cadherin switch and drives structural collapse of lesions, indicating a potential progression step. Taken together, our data indicate TGFβ1 produced by Ym1+ AAM as a major driver of processes that initiate the development of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heike R. Döppler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ligia I. Bastea
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Brandy H. Edenfield
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Geou-Yarh Liou
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA,Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research & Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA,Corresponding author
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KRAS(G12D) can be targeted by potent inhibitors via formation of salt bridge. Cell Discov 2022; 8:5. [PMID: 35075146 PMCID: PMC8786924 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-021-00368-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutation occurs in nearly 30% of human cancers, yet the most prevalent and oncogenic KRAS(G12D) variant still lacks inhibitors. Herein, we designed a series of potent inhibitors that can form a salt bridge with KRAS’s Asp12 residue. Our ITC results show that these inhibitors have similar binding affinity with both GDP-bound and GTP-bound KRAS(G12D), and our crystallographic studies reveal the structural basis of inhibitor binding-induced switch-II pocket in KRAS(G12D), experimentally confirming the formation of a salt bridge between the piperazine moiety of the inhibitors and the Asp12 residue of the mutant protein. Among KRAS family proteins and mutants, both ITC and enzymatic assays demonstrate the selectivity of the inhibitors for KRAS(G12D); and the inhibitors disrupt the KRAS–CRAF interaction. We also observed the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation as well as MAPK signaling by a representative inhibitor (TH-Z835). However, since the inhibition was not fully dependent on KRAS mutation status, it is possible that our inhibitors may have off-target effects via targeting non-KRAS small GTPases. Experiments with mouse xenograft models of pancreatic cancer showed that TH-Z835 significantly reduced tumor volume and synergized with an anti-PD-1 antibody. Collectively, our study demonstrates proof-of-concept for a strategy based on salt-bridge and induced-fit pocket formation for KRAS(G12D) targeting, which warrants future medicinal chemistry efforts for optimal efficacy and minimized off-target effects.
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Statins Inhibit Inflammatory Cytokine Production by Macrophages and Acinar-to-Ductal Metaplasia of Pancreatic Cells. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2022; 1:640-651. [PMID: 36313271 PMCID: PMC9615480 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Animal data show that the presence of an oncogenic Kras mutation in pancreatic acinar cells leads to acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Inflammatory macrophages play an important role in the formation of ADMs and transition to PanINs. Epidemiologically, statins are associated with a reduced risk of PDAC. We investigated whether statins inhibit inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages and whether this leads to reduced ADM formation. METHODS: The efficacy of statins on inflammatory cytokine production in 2 macrophage cell lines was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of macrophage-conditioned medium on ADM in primary pancreatic acinar cells was investigated. Mouse pancreatic tissue samples were analyzed for macrophage numbers, cytokine levels, and neoplastic/dysplastic area. RESULTS: Lipophilic statins prevented inflammatory cytokine production in Raw264.7 and J774A.1 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. The inhibitory effect of statins was mediated by inhibition of mevalonate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthesis and disruption of the actin cytoskeleton but not by a reduction in intracellular cholesterol. Treatment of macrophages with lipophilic statins also blocked ADM formation of primary pancreatic acinar cells. Furthermore, oral administration of simvastatin was associated with a reduction in the number of intrapancreatic macrophages, decreased inflammatory cytokine levels in the pancreas, and attenuated ADM/PanIN formation in mice. CONCLUSION: Our data support the hypothesis that statins oppose early PDAC development by their effects on macrophages and ADM formation. The inhibitory actions of statins on macrophages may collaborate with direct inhibitory effects on transformed pancreatic epithelial cells, which cumulatively may reduce early PDAC development and progression.
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Opitz FV, Haeberle L, Daum A, Esposito I. Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246188. [PMID: 34944807 PMCID: PMC8699458 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive neoplasm with a poor survival rate. This is mainly due to late detection, which substantially limits therapy options. A better understanding of the early phases of pancreatic carcinogenesis is fundamental for improving patient prognosis in the future. In this article, we focused on the tumor microenvironment (TME), which provides the biological niche for the development of PDAC from its most common precursor lesions, PanIN (pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias). Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis. A characteristic of PDAC is the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitates bypassing of the immune surveillance. The TME consists of a desmoplastic stroma, largely composed of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immunosuppressive immune cells, immunoregulatory soluble factors, neural network cells, and endothelial cells with complex interactions. PDAC develops from various precursor lesions such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), and possibly, atypical flat lesions (AFL). In this review, we focus on the composition of the TME in PanINs to reveal detailed insights into the complex restructuring of the TME at early time points in PDAC progression and to explore ways of modifying the TME to slow or even halt tumor progression.
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Huang L, Guo Z, Wang F, Fu L. KRAS mutation: from undruggable to druggable in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:386. [PMID: 34776511 PMCID: PMC8591115 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00780-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, and its treatment and outcomes have been dramatically revolutionised by targeted therapies. As the most frequently mutated oncogene, Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) has attracted substantial attention. The understanding of KRAS is constantly being updated by numerous studies on KRAS in the initiation and progression of cancer diseases. However, KRAS has been deemed a challenging therapeutic target, even "undruggable", after drug-targeting efforts over the past four decades. Recently, there have been surprising advances in directly targeted drugs for KRAS, especially in KRAS (G12C) inhibitors, such as AMG510 (sotorasib) and MRTX849 (adagrasib), which have obtained encouraging results in clinical trials. Excitingly, AMG510 was the first drug-targeting KRAS (G12C) to be approved for clinical use this year. This review summarises the most recent understanding of fundamental aspects of KRAS, the relationship between the KRAS mutations and tumour immune evasion, and new progress in targeting KRAS, particularly KRAS (G12C). Moreover, the possible mechanisms of resistance to KRAS (G12C) inhibitors and possible combination therapies are summarised, with a view to providing the best regimen for individualised treatment with KRAS (G12C) inhibitors and achieving truly precise treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamei Huang
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine; Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 P. R. China
| | - Zhixing Guo
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine; Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 P. R. China
| | - Fang Wang
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine; Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 P. R. China
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine; Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China.
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Yan HH, Jung KH, Lee JE, Son MK, Fang Z, Park JH, Kim SJ, Kim JY, Lim JH, Hong SS. ANGPTL4 accelerates KRAS G12D-Induced acinar to ductal metaplasia and pancreatic carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett 2021; 519:185-198. [PMID: 34311032 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic KRASG12D induces neoplastic transformation of pancreatic acinar cells through acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), and drives pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is known to be involved in the regulation of cancer growth and metastasis. However, whether ANGPTL4 affects KRASG12D-mediated ADM and early PDAC intervention remains unknown. In the current study, we investigated the role of ANGPTL4 in KRASG12D-induced ADM, PanIN formation, and PDAC maintenance. We found that ANGPTL4 was highly expressed in human and mouse ADM lesions and contributed to the promotion of KRASG12D-driven ADM in mice. Consistently, ANGPTL4 rapidly induced ADM in three-dimensional culture of acinar cells with KRAS mutation and formed ductal cysts that silenced acinar genes and activated ductal genes, which are characteristic of in vivo ADM/PanIN lesions. We also found that periostin works as a downstream regulator of ANGPTL4-mediated ADM/PDAC. Genetic ablation of periostin diminished the ADM/PanIN phenotype induced by ANGPTL4. A high correlation between ANGPTL4 and periostin was confirmed in human samples. These results demonstrate that ANGPTL4 is critical for ADM/PanIN initiation and PDAC progression through the regulation of periostin. Thus, the ANGPTL4/periostin axis is considered a potential target for ADM-derived PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Hua Yan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hee Jung
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Eun Lee
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kwon Son
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhenghuan Fang
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hee Park
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jung Kim
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Han Lim
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Sun Hong
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Program in Biomedical Sciences & Engineering, Inha University, 366, Seohae-daero, Jung-gu, Incheon, 22332, Republic of Korea.
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The Diverse Applications of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Organoids. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194979. [PMID: 34638463 PMCID: PMC8508245 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal solid malignancies. While immortalized cancer cell lines and genetically engineered murine models have increased our understanding of PDAC tumorigenesis, they do not recapitulate inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity. PDAC patient derived organoid (PDO) biobanks have overcome this hurdle, and provide an opportunity for the high throughput screening of potential new therapies. This review provides a summary of the PDAC PDO biobanks established to date, and discusses how they have advanced our understanding of PDAC biology. Looking forward, the development of coculturing techniques for specific immune or stromal cell populations will enable a better understanding of the crosstalk that occurs within the tumor microenvironment, and the impact of this crosstalk on treatment response.
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Jones JO, Moody WM, Shields JD. Microenvironmental modulation of the developing tumour: an immune-stromal dialogue. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2600-2633. [PMID: 32741067 PMCID: PMC8486574 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful establishment of a tumour relies on a cascade of interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells within an evolving microenvironment. Both immune and nonimmune cellular components are key factors in this process, and the individual players may change their role from tumour elimination to tumour promotion as the microenvironment develops. While the tumour-stroma crosstalk present in an established tumour is well-studied, aspects in the early tumour or premalignant microenvironment have received less attention. This is in part due to the challenges in studying this process in the clinic or in mouse models. Here, we review the key anti- and pro-tumour factors in the early microenvironment and discuss how understanding this process may be exploited in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- James O. Jones
- MRC Cancer UnitHutchison/MRC Research CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Department of OncologyCambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCambridgeUK
| | - William M. Moody
- MRC Cancer UnitHutchison/MRC Research CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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Heumann T, Azad N. Next-generation immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: navigating pathways of immune resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:837-862. [PMID: 34591243 PMCID: PMC9804001 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09981-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
To date, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has proven largely ineffective in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A combination of low tumor antigenicity, deficits in immune activation along with an exclusive and suppressive tumor microenvironment result in resistance to host defensives. However, a deepening understanding of these immune escape and suppressive mechanisms has led to the discovery of novel molecular targets and treatment strategies that may hold the key to a long-awaited therapeutic breakthrough. In this review, we describe the tumor-intrinsic and microenvironmental barriers to modern immunotherapy, examine novel immune-based and targeted modalities, summarize relevant pre-clinical findings and human experience, and, finally, discuss novel synergistic approaches to overcome immune-resistance in pancreatic cancer. Beyond checkpoint inhibition, immune agonists and anti-tumor vaccines represent promising strategies to stimulate host response via activation and expansion of anti-tumor immune effectors. Off-the-shelf natural killer cell therapies may offer an effective method for bypassing downregulated tumor antigen presentation. In parallel with this, sophisticated targeting of crosstalk between tumor and tumor-associated immune cells may lead to enhanced immune infiltration and survival of anti-tumor lymphocytes. A future multimodal treatment strategy involving immune priming/activation, tumor microenvironment reprogramming, and immune checkpoint blockade may help transform pancreatic cancer into an immunogenic tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thatcher Heumann
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nilofer Azad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Pandey V, Fleming-Martinez A, Bastea L, Doeppler HR, Eisenhauer J, Le T, Edenfield B, Storz P. CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling contributes to an inflammatory microenvironment and its blockade enhances progression of murine pancreatic precancerous lesions. eLife 2021; 10:60646. [PMID: 34328416 PMCID: PMC8360647 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of pancreatic cancer requires recruitment and activation of different macrophage populations. However, little is known about how macrophages are attracted to the pancreas after injury or an oncogenic event, and how they crosstalk with lesion cells or other cells of the lesion microenvironment. Here, we delineate the importance of CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling during the early phase of murine pancreatic cancer. We show that CXCL10 is produced by pancreatic precancerous lesion cells in response to IFNγ signaling and that inflammatory macrophages are recipients for this chemokine. CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling in macrophages mediates their chemoattraction to the pancreas, enhances their proliferation, and maintains their inflammatory identity. Blocking of CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling in vivo shifts macrophage populations to a tumor-promoting (Ym1+, Fizz+, Arg1+) phenotype, increases fibrosis, and mediates progression of lesions, highlighting the importance of this pathway in PDA development. This is reversed when CXCL10 is overexpressed in PanIN cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veethika Pandey
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Alicia Fleming-Martinez
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Ligia Bastea
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Heike R Doeppler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Jillian Eisenhauer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Tam Le
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Brandy Edenfield
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
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