1
|
Doan TB, Graham JD. The multifaceted role of the mineralocorticoid receptor in cancers. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 242:106541. [PMID: 38714226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106541] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR/NR3C2) is a member of the family of steroid receptors (SR) which also includes the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR). They function primarily as nuclear receptors to regulate gene expression. While the other steroid hormone receptors are known to play important roles in the pathogenesis and progression of many cancers, relatively little is understood about the role of MR in cancer biology. This review focuses on examining new insights into the potential roles and mechanisms of action of MR in cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tram B Doan
- Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - J Dinny Graham
- Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Coursier D, Calvo F. CAFs vs. TECs: when blood feuds fuel cancer progression, dissemination and therapeutic resistance. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:1091-1112. [PMID: 38453816 PMCID: PMC11322395 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00931-z] [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] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Neoplastic progression involves complex interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding stromal milieu, fostering microenvironments that crucially drive tumor progression and dissemination. Of these stromal constituents, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerge as predominant inhabitants within the tumor microenvironment (TME), actively shaping multiple facets of tumorigenesis, including cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, and immune evasion. Notably, CAFs also orchestrate the production of pro-angiogenic factors, fueling neovascularization to sustain the metabolic demands of proliferating cancer cells. Moreover, CAFs may also directly or indirectly affect endothelial cell behavior and vascular architecture, which may impact in tumor progression and responses to anti-cancer interventions. Conversely, tumor endothelial cells (TECs) exhibit a corrupted state that has been shown to affect cancer cell growth and inflammation. Both CAFs and TECs are emerging as pivotal regulators of the TME, engaging in multifaceted biological processes that significantly impact cancer progression, dissemination, and therapeutic responses. Yet, the intricate interplay between these stromal components and the orchestrated functions of each cell type remains incompletely elucidated. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between CAFs and TECs, discussing the challenges and prospects for leveraging their interactions towards therapeutic advancements in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diane Coursier
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria), Santander, Spain
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria), Santander, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gallegos-Martínez S, Choy-Buentello D, Pérez-Álvarez KA, Lara-Mayorga IM, Aceves-Colin AE, Zhang YS, Trujillo-de Santiago G, Álvarez MM. A 3D-printed tumor-on-chip: user-friendly platform for the culture of breast cancer spheroids and the evaluation of anti-cancer drugs. Biofabrication 2024; 16:045010. [PMID: 38866003 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad5765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Tumor-on-chips (ToCs) are useful platforms for studying the physiology of tumors and evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of anti-cancer drugs. However, the design and fabrication of a ToC system is not a trivial venture. We introduce a user-friendly, flexible, 3D-printed microfluidic device that can be used to culture cancer cells or cancer-derived spheroids embedded in hydrogels under well-controlled environments. The system consists of two lateral flow compartments (left and right sides), each with two inlets and two outlets to deliver cell culture media as continuous liquid streams. The central compartment was designed to host a hydrogel in which cells and microtissues can be confined and cultured. We performed tracer experiments with colored inks and 40 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran to characterize the transport/mixing performances of the system. We also cultured homotypic (MCF7) and heterotypic (MCF7-BJ) spheroids embedded in gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels to illustrate the use of this microfluidic device in sustaining long-term micro-tissue culture experiments. We further demonstrated the use of this platform in anticancer drug testing by continuous perfusion of doxorubicin, a commonly used anti-cancer drug for breast cancer. In these experiments, we evaluated drug transport, viability, glucose consumption, cell death (apoptosis), and cytotoxicity. In summary, we introduce a robust and friendly ToC system capable of recapitulating relevant aspects of the tumor microenvironment for the study of cancer physiology, anti-cancer drug transport, efficacy, and safety. We anticipate that this flexible 3D-printed microfluidic device may facilitate cancer research and the development and screening of strategies for personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Gallegos-Martínez
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, CP 64849 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Mecatrónica e Ingeniería Eléctrica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, CP 64849, Mexico
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - David Choy-Buentello
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, CP 64849 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Kristen Aideé Pérez-Álvarez
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, CP 64849 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | | | | | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, CP 64849 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Mecatrónica e Ingeniería Eléctrica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Mario Moisés Álvarez
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, CP 64849 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Mecatrónica e Ingeniería Eléctrica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, CP 64849, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu L, Zhang Q, Aladelokun O, Berardi D, Shen X, Marin A, Garcia-Milian R, Roper J, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Asparagine synthetase and G-protein coupled estrogen receptor are critical responders to nutrient supply in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer. Int J Cancer 2024. [PMID: 39039782 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Survival differences exist in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients by sex and disease stage. However, the potential molecular mechanism(s) are not well understood. Here we show that asparagine synthetase (ASNS) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER1) are critical sensors of nutrient depletion and linked to poorer outcomes for females with CRC. Using a 3D spheroid model of isogenic SW48 KRAS wild-type (WT) and G12A mutant (MT) cells grown under a restricted nutrient supply, we found that glutamine depletion inhibited cell growth in both cell lines, whereas ASNS and GPER1 expression were upregulated in KRAS MT versus WT. Estradiol decreased growth in KRAS WT but had no effect on MT cells. Selective GPER1 and ASNS inhibitors suppressed cell proliferation with increased caspase-3 activity of MT cells under glutamine depletion condition particularly in the presence of estradiol. In a clinical colon cancer cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas, both high GPER1 and ASNS expression were associated with poorer overall survival for females only in advanced stage tumors. These results suggest KRAS MT cells have mechanisms in place that respond to decreased nutrient supply, typically observed in advanced tumors, by increasing the expression of ASNS and GPER1 to drive cell growth. Furthermore, KRAS MT cells are resistant to the protective effects of estradiol under nutrient deplete conditions. The findings indicate that GPER1 and ASNS expression, along with the interaction between nutrient supply and KRAS mutations shed additional light on the mechanisms underlying sex differences in metabolism and growth in CRC, and have clinical implications in the precision management of KRAS mutant CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Oladimeji Aladelokun
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Domenica Berardi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xinyi Shen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Audrey Marin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Bioinformatics Support Program, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jatin Roper
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sajid A Khan
- Section of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Caroline H Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Talia M, Cirillo F, Scordamaglia D, Di Dio M, Zicarelli A, De Rosis S, Miglietta AM, Capalbo C, De Francesco EM, Belfiore A, Grande F, Rizzuti B, Occhiuzzi MA, Fortino G, Guzzo A, Greco G, Maggiolini M, Lappano R. The G Protein Estrogen Receptor (GPER) is involved in the resistance to the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:171. [PMID: 38886784 PMCID: PMC11184778 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03096-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cyclin D1-cyclin dependent kinases (CDK)4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy shows remarkable efficacy in the management of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (BC). Nevertheless, resistance to palbociclib frequently arises, highlighting the need to identify new targets toward more comprehensive therapeutic strategies in BC patients. METHODS BC cell lines resistant to palbociclib were generated and used as a model system. Gene silencing techniques and overexpression experiments, real-time PCR, immunoblotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies as well as cell viability, colony and 3D spheroid formation assays served to evaluate the involvement of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the resistance to palbociclib in BC cells. Molecular docking simulations were also performed to investigate the potential interaction of palbociclib with GPER. Furthermore, BC cells co-cultured with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) isolated from mammary carcinoma, were used to investigate whether GPER signaling may contribute to functional cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment toward palbociclib resistance. Finally, by bioinformatics analyses and k-means clustering on clinical and expression data of large cohorts of BC patients, the clinical significance of novel mediators of palbociclib resistance was explored. RESULTS Dissecting the molecular events that characterize ER-positive BC cells resistant to palbociclib, the down-regulation of ERα along with the up-regulation of GPER were found. To evaluate the molecular events involved in the up-regulation of GPER, we determined that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) interacts with the promoter region of GPER and stimulates its expression toward BC cells resistance to palbociclib treatment. Adding further cues to these data, we ascertained that palbociclib does induce pro-inflammatory transcriptional events via GPER signaling in CAFs. Of note, by performing co-culture assays we demonstrated that GPER contributes to the reduced sensitivity to palbociclib also facilitating the functional interaction between BC cells and main components of the tumor microenvironment named CAFs. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results provide novel insights on the molecular events through which GPER may contribute to palbociclib resistance in BC cells. Additional investigations are warranted in order to assess whether targeting the GPER-mediated interactions between BC cells and CAFs may be useful in more comprehensive therapeutic approaches of BC resistant to palbociclib.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Talia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Francesca Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Domenica Scordamaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Marika Di Dio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Azzurra Zicarelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Salvatore De Rosis
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Miglietta
- Breast and General Surgery Unit, Regional Hospital Cosenza, Cosenza, 87100, Italy
| | - Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
- Complex Operative Oncology Unit, Regional Hospital Cosenza, Cosenza, 87100, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Belfiore
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, Catania, 95122, Italy
| | - Fedora Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Bruno Rizzuti
- Department of Physics, CNR-NANOTEC, SS Rende (CS), University of Calabria, Rende, CS, 87036, Italy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | | | - Giancarlo Fortino
- Department of Informatics, Modeling, Electronic, and System Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Antonella Guzzo
- Department of Informatics, Modeling, Electronic, and System Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Greco
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy.
| | - Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yan S, Ji J, Zhang Z, Imam M, Chen H, Zhang D, Wang J. Targeting the crosstalk between estrogen receptors and membrane growth factor receptors in breast cancer treatment: Advances and opportunities. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116615. [PMID: 38663101 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Estrogens play a critical role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor are the primary receptors for estrogen in breast cancer. These receptors are mainly activated by binding with estrogens. The crosstalk between ERs and membrane growth factor receptors creates additional pathways that amplify the effects of their ligands and promote tumor growth. This crosstalk may cause endocrine therapy resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer. Furthermore, this may explain the resistance to anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) treatment in ERα-/HER2-positive breast cancer and chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. Accordingly, it is necessary to understand the complex crosstalk between ERs and growth factor receptors. In this review, we delineate the crosstalk between ERs and membrane growth factor receptors in breast cancer. Moreover, this review highlights the current progress in clinical treatment and discusses how pharmaceuticals target the crosstalk. Lastly, we discuss the current challenges and propose potential solutions regarding the implications of targeting crosstalk via pharmacological inhibition. Overall, the present review provides a landscape of the crosstalk between ERs and membrane growth factor receptors in breast cancer, along with valuable insights for future studies and clinical treatments using a chemotherapy-sparing regimen to improve patient quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunchao Yan
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China.
| | - Jiale Ji
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China
| | - Murshid Imam
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China
| | - Duo Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China
| | - Jinpeng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang X, Zhang M, Sun H, Wang X, Wang X, Sheng W, Xu M. The role of transcription factors in the crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor cells. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00046-8. [PMID: 38309692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.033] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcription factors (TFs) fulfill a critical role in the formation and maintenance of different cell types during the developmental process as well as disease. It is believed that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activation status of tissue-resident fibroblasts or derived from form other cell types via transdifferentiation or dedifferentiation. Despite a subgroup of CAFs exhibit anti-cancer effects, most of them are reported to exert effects on tumor progression, further indicating their heterogeneous origin. AIM OF REVIEW This review aimed to summarize and review the roles of TFs in the reciprocal crosstalk between CAFs and tumor cells, discuss the emerging mechanisms, and their roles in cell-fate decision, cellular reprogramming and advancing our understanding of the gene regulatory networks over the period of cancer initiation and progression. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This manuscript delves into the key contributory factors of TFs that are involved in activating CAFs and maintaining their unique states. Additionally, it explores how TFs play a pivotal and multifaceted role in the reciprocal crosstalk between CAFs and tumor cells. This includes their involvement in processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, as well as metabolic reprogramming. TFs also have a role in constructing an immunosuppressive microenvironment, inducing resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, facilitating angiogenesis, and even 'educating' CAFs to support the malignancies of tumor cells. Furthermore, this manuscript delves into the current status of TF-targeted therapy and considers the future directions of TFs in conjunction with anti-CAFs therapies to address the challenges in clinical cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Weiqi Sheng
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Midie Xu
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Patel SA, Hassan MK, Naik M, Mohapatra N, Balan P, Korrapati PS, Dixit M. EEF1A2 promotes HIF1A mediated breast cancer angiogenesis in normoxia and participates in a positive feedback loop with HIF1A in hypoxia. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:184-200. [PMID: 38012382 PMCID: PMC10803557 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02509-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The eukaryotic elongation factor, EEF1A2, has been identified as an oncogene in various solid tumors. Here, we have identified a novel function of EEF1A2 in angiogenesis. METHODS Chick chorioallantoic membrane, tubulogenesis, aortic ring, Matrigel plug, and skin wound healing assays established EEF1A2's role in angiogenesis. RESULT Higher EEF1A2 levels in breast cancer cells enhanced cell growth, movement, blood vessel function, and tubule formation in HUVECs, as confirmed by ex-ovo and in-vivo tests. The overexpression of EEF1A2 could be counteracted by Plitidepsin. Under normoxic conditions, EEF1A2 triggered HIF1A expression via ERK-Myc and mTOR signaling in TNBC and ER/PR positive cells. Hypoxia induced the expression of EEF1A2, leading to a positive feedback loop between EEF1A2 and HIF1A. Luciferase assay and EMSA confirmed HIF1A binding on the EEF1A2 promoter, which induced its transcription. RT-PCR and polysome profiling validated that EEF1A2 affected VEGF transcription and translation positively. This led to increased VEGF release from breast cancer cells, activating ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling in endothelial cells. Breast cancer tissues with elevated EEF1A2 showed higher microvessel density. CONCLUSION EEF1A2 exhibits angiogenic potential in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, underscoring its dual role in promoting EMT and angiogenesis, rendering it a promising target for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saket Awadhesbhai Patel
- National Institute of Science Education and Research, School of Biological Sciences, Bhubaneswar, 752050, Odisha, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Md Khurshidul Hassan
- National Institute of Science Education and Research, School of Biological Sciences, Bhubaneswar, 752050, Odisha, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Monali Naik
- National Institute of Science Education and Research, School of Biological Sciences, Bhubaneswar, 752050, Odisha, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Nachiketa Mohapatra
- Apollo Hospitals, Plot No. 251,Old Sainik School Road, Bhubaneswar, 750015, Odisha, India
| | - Poornima Balan
- CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai, 600020, India
| | - Purna Sai Korrapati
- CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai, 600020, India
| | - Manjusha Dixit
- National Institute of Science Education and Research, School of Biological Sciences, Bhubaneswar, 752050, Odisha, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen Y, Zhang Z, Qian Z, Ma R, Luan M, Sun Y. Sequentially Released Liposomes Enhance Anti-Liver Cancer Efficacy of Tetrandrine and Celastrol-Loaded Coix Seed Oil. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:727-742. [PMID: 38288265 PMCID: PMC10822770 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s446895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A sequential release co-delivery system is an effective strategy to improve anti-cancer efficacy. Herein, multicomponent-based liposomes (TET-CTM/L) loaded with tetrandrine (TET) and celastrol (CEL)-loaded coix seed oil microemulsion (CTM) were fabricated, which showed synergistic anti-liver cancer activities. By virtue of Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect, TET-CTM/L can achieve efficient accumulation at the tumor site. TET was released initially to repair abnormal vessels and decrease the fibroblasts, and CTM was released subsequently for eradication of tumor tissue. Methods TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and DLS (dynamic light scattering) were adopted to characterize the TET-CTM/L. Flow cytometry was adopted to examine the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of HepG2 cells. The HepG2 xenograft nude mice were adopted to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy and systemic safety of TET-CTM/L. Results TEM images of TET-CTM/L showed the structure of small particle size of CTM within large-size liposomes, indicating that CTM can be encapsulated in liposomes by film dispersion method. In in vitro studies, TET-CTM/L induced massive apoptosis toward HepG2 cells, indicating synergistic cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. In in vivo studies, TET-CTM/L displayed diminished systemic toxicity compared to celastrol or TET used alone. TET-CTM/L showed the excellent potential for tumor-targeting ability in a biodistribution study. Conclusion Our study provides a new strategy for combining anti-cancer therapy that has good potential not only in the treatment of liver cancer but also can be applied to the treatment of other solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunyan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Synthesis and Application of Medical Materials, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Synthesis and Application of Medical Materials, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhilei Qian
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Synthesis and Application of Medical Materials, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minna Luan
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Synthesis and Application of Medical Materials, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Meng X, Ma F, Yu D. The diverse effects of cisplatin on tumor microenvironment: Insights and challenges for the delivery of cisplatin by nanoparticles. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117362. [PMID: 37827371 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117362] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin is a well-known platinum-based chemotherapy medication that is widely utilized for some malignancies. Despite the direct cytotoxic consequences of cisplatin on tumor cells, studies in the recent decade have revealed that cisplatin can also affect different cells and their secretions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cisplatin has complex impacts on the TME, which may contribute to its anti-tumor activity or drug resistance mechanisms. These regulatory effects of cisplatin play a paramount function in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. This paper aims to review the diverse impacts of cisplatin and nanoparticles loaded with cisplatin on cancer cells and also non-cancerous cells in TME. The impacts of cisplatin on immune cells, tumor stroma, cancer cells, and also hypoxia will be discussed in the current review. Furthermore, we emphasize the challenges and prospects of using cisplatin in combination with other adjuvants and therapeutic modalities that target TME. We also discuss the potential synergistic effects of cisplatin with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and other agents with anticancer potentials such as polyphenols and photosensitizers. Furthermore, the potential of nanoparticles for targeting TME and better delivery of cisplatin into tumors will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Meng
- Zhuji Sixth People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji, Zhejiang, 311801, China
| | - Fengyun Ma
- Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang, 311800, China.
| | - Dingli Yu
- Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang, 311800, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen F, Zhao D, Huang Y, Wen X, Feng S. Synergetic impact of combined navoximod with cisplatin mitigates chemo-immune resistance via blockading IDO1 + CAFs-secreted Kyn/AhR/IL-6 and pol ζ-prevented CIN in human oral squamous cell carcinoma. Life Sci 2023; 335:122239. [PMID: 37944638 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122239] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent aggressive form of HNSC and treated with platinum-based chemotherapy as initial therapy. However, the development of acquired resistance and neurotoxicity to platinum agents poses a significant challenge to treat locally advanced OSCC. Notably, IDO1+ CAFs could promote immunosuppressive TME for OSCC progression. Therefore, we developed a potent IDO1 inhibitor navoximod to overcome chemo-immune resistance via an antitumor immune effect synergized with cisplatin in SCC-9 co-cultured IDO1+/IDO1- CAFs and SCC-7/IDO1+ CAFs-inoculated mice. The in vitro biological assays on IDO1+ CAFs co-cultured OSCC cancer cells supported that combined navoximod with cisplatin could mitigate chemo-immune resistance through blockading IDO1+ CAFs-secreted kynurenine (Kyn)-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-IL-6 via suppressing p-STAT3/NF-κB signals and ceasing AhR-induced loss of pol ζ-caused chromosomal instability (CIN). Moreover, the combination elicited antitumor immunity via reducing IDO1+ CAFs-secreted Kyn/AhR and conferring pol ζ in SCC-7/IDO1+ CAFs-inoculated BALB/c mice. Meanwhile, the combination could block cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity and not interfere with chemotherapy. Taken together, the study investigated the promising therapeutic potential of combined navoximod with cisplatin to mitigate tumoral immune resistance via alleviating IDO1+ CAFs-secreted immune-suppression and CIN-caused cisplatin resistance, providing a paradigm for combined chemo-immunotherapy to prolong survival in patients with OSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feihong Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, PR China.
| | - Deming Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, PR China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Xin Wen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, PR China
| | - Shicheng Feng
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, PR China; Department of Oncology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abou Khouzam R, Janji B, Thiery J, Zaarour RF, Chamseddine AN, Mayr H, Savagner P, Kieda C, Gad S, Buart S, Lehn JM, Limani P, Chouaib S. Hypoxia as a potential inducer of immune tolerance, tumor plasticity and a driver of tumor mutational burden: Impact on cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 97:104-123. [PMID: 38029865 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
In cancer patients, immune cells are often functionally compromised due to the immunosuppressive features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) which contribute to the failures in cancer therapies. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that developing tumors adapt to the immunological environment and create a local microenvironment that impairs immune function by inducing immune tolerance and invasion. In this context, microenvironmental hypoxia, which is an established hallmark of solid tumors, significantly contributes to tumor aggressiveness and therapy resistance through the induction of tumor plasticity/heterogeneity and, more importantly, through the differentiation and expansion of immune-suppressive stromal cells. We and others have provided evidence indicating that hypoxia also drives genomic instability in cancer cells and interferes with DNA damage response and repair suggesting that hypoxia could be a potential driver of tumor mutational burden. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge on how hypoxic stress in the TME impacts tumor angiogenesis, heterogeneity, plasticity, and immune resistance, with a special interest in tumor immunogenicity and hypoxia targeting. An integrated understanding of the complexity of the effect of hypoxia on the immune and microenvironmental components could lead to the identification of better adapted and more effective combinational strategies in cancer immunotherapy. Clearly, the discovery and validation of therapeutic targets derived from the hypoxic tumor microenvironment is of major importance and the identification of critical hypoxia-associated pathways could generate targets that are undeniably attractive for combined cancer immunotherapy approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Bassam Janji
- Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) Group, 6A, rue Nicolas-Ernest Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg city, Luxembourg.
| | - Jerome Thiery
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France.
| | - Rania Faouzi Zaarour
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ali N Chamseddine
- Gastroenterology Department, Cochin University Hospital, Université de Paris, APHP, Paris, France; Ambroise Paré - Hartmann Private Hospital Group, Oncology Unit, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.
| | - Hemma Mayr
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and Transplantation Center, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Surgery & Transplantation, University and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Pierre Savagner
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France.
| | - Claudine Kieda
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine-National Research Institute, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; Centre for Molecular Biophysics, UPR 4301 CNRS, 45071 Orleans, France; Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Sophie Gad
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), Paris Sciences Lettres University (PSL), 75014 Paris, France; UMR CNRS 9019, Genome Integrity and Cancers, Gustave Roussy, Paris-Saclay University, 94800 Villejuif, France.
| | - Stéphanie Buart
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France.
| | - Jean-Marie Lehn
- Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), Université de Strasbourg, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Perparim Limani
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and Transplantation Center, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Surgery & Transplantation, University and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates; INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gao D, Fang L, Liu C, Yang M, Yu X, Wang L, Zhang W, Sun C, Zhuang J. Microenvironmental regulation in tumor progression: Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115622. [PMID: 37783155 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115622] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME), the "soil" on which tumor cells grow, has an important role in regulating the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells as well as their response to treatment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as the most abundant stromal cells of the TME, can not only directly alter the immunosuppressive effect of the TME through their own metabolism, but also influence the aggregation and function of immune cells by secreting a large number of cytokines and chemokines, reducing the body's immune surveillance of tumor cells and making them more prone to immune escape. Our study provides a comprehensive review of fibroblast chemotaxis, malignant transformation, metabolic characteristics, and interactions with immune cells. In addition, the current small molecule drugs targeting CAFs have been summarized, including both natural small molecules and targeted drugs for current clinical therapeutic applications. A complete review of the role of fibroblasts in TME from an immune perspective is presented, which has important implications in improving the efficiency of immunotherapy by targeting fibroblasts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Liguang Fang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Mengrui Yang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Longyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China; Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hall KA, Filardo EJ. The G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER): A Critical Therapeutic Target for Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:2460. [PMID: 37887304 PMCID: PMC10605794 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202460] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers, with increasing concern regarding the overall rising incidence of disease and exposure to environmental estrogens. Estrogens, both endogenous and environmental, manifest their actions through intracellular and plasma membrane receptors, named ERα, ERβ, and GPER. Collectively, they act to promote a broad transcriptional response that is mediated through multiple regulatory enhancers, including estrogen response elements (EREs), serum response elements (SREs), and cyclic AMP response elements (CREs). Yet, the design and rational assignment of antiestrogen therapy for breast cancer has strictly relied upon an endogenous estrogen-ER binary rubric that does not account for environmental estrogens or GPER. New endocrine therapies have focused on the development of drugs that degrade ER via ER complex destabilization or direct enzymatic ubiquitination. However, these new approaches do not broadly treat all cancer-involved receptors, including GPER. The latter is concerning since GPER is directly associated with tumor size, distant metastases, cancer stem cell activity, and endocrine resistance, indicating the importance of targeting this receptor to achieve a more complete therapeutic response. This review focuses on the critical importance and value of GPER-targeted therapeutics as part of a more holistic approach to the treatment of estrogen-driven malignancies.
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhang H, Yue X, Chen Z, Liu C, Wu W, Zhang N, Liu Z, Yang L, Jiang Q, Cheng Q, Luo P, Liu G. Define cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment: new opportunities in cancer immunotherapy and advances in clinical trials. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:159. [PMID: 37784082 PMCID: PMC10544417 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01860-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite centuries since the discovery and study of cancer, cancer is still a lethal and intractable health issue worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained much attention as a pivotal component of the tumor microenvironment. The versatility and sophisticated mechanisms of CAFs in facilitating cancer progression have been elucidated extensively, including promoting cancer angiogenesis and metastasis, inducing drug resistance, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and developing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Owing to their robust tumor-promoting function, CAFs are considered a promising target for oncotherapy. However, CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells. Some subpopulations exert an inhibitory role in tumor growth, which implies that CAF-targeting approaches must be more precise and individualized. This review comprehensively summarize the origin, phenotypical, and functional heterogeneity of CAFs. More importantly, we underscore advances in strategies and clinical trials to target CAF in various cancers, and we also summarize progressions of CAF in cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinghai Yue
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ildiz ES, Gvozdenovic A, Kovacs WJ, Aceto N. Travelling under pressure - hypoxia and shear stress in the metastatic journey. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023; 40:375-394. [PMID: 37490147 PMCID: PMC10495280 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10224-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell invasion, intravasation and survival in the bloodstream are early steps of the metastatic process, pivotal to enabling the spread of cancer to distant tissues. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a highly selected subpopulation of cancer cells that tamed these critical steps, and a better understanding of their biology and driving molecular principles may facilitate the development of novel tools to prevent metastasis. Here, we describe key research advances in this field, aiming at describing early metastasis-related processes such as collective invasion, shedding, and survival of CTCs in the bloodstream, paying particular attention to microenvironmental factors like hypoxia and mechanical stress, considered as important influencers of the metastatic journey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ece Su Ildiz
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Gvozdenovic
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Werner J Kovacs
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen S, Leng P, Guo J, Zhou H. FBXW7 in breast cancer: mechanism of action and therapeutic potential. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:226. [PMID: 37658431 PMCID: PMC10474666 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02767-1] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the frequent tumors that seriously endanger the physical and mental well-being in women. F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7) is a neoplastic repressor. Serving as a substrate recognition element for ubiquitin ligase, FBXW7 participates in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and is typically in charge of the ubiquitination and destruction of crucial oncogenic proteins, further performing a paramount role in cell differentiation, apoptosis and metabolic processes. Low levels of FBXW7 cause abnormal stability of pertinent substrates, mutations and/or deletions in the FBXW7 gene have been reported to correlate with breast cancer malignant progression and chemoresistance. Given the lack of an effective solution to breast cancer's clinical drug resistance dilemma, elucidating FBXW7's mechanism of action could provide a theoretical basis for targeted drug exploration. Therefore, in this review, we focused on FBXW7's role in a range of breast cancer malignant behaviors and summarized the pertinent cellular targets, signaling pathways, as well as the mechanisms regulating FBXW7 expression. We also proposed novel perspectives for the exploitation of alternative therapies and specific tumor markers for breast cancer by therapeutic strategies aiming at FBXW7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-Construction for Diagnosisand, Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology , Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Leng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-Construction for Diagnosisand, Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology , Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinlin Guo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-Construction for Diagnosisand, Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology , Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Hao Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-Construction for Diagnosisand, Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology , Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hong WC, Lee DE, Kang HW, Kim MJ, Kim M, Kim JH, Fang S, Kim HJ, Park JS. CD74 Promotes a Pro-Inflammatory Tumor Microenvironment by Inducing S100A8 and S100A9 Secretion in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12993. [PMID: 37629174 PMCID: PMC10455843 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer with a poor prognosis and low survival rates. The prognostic and predictive biomarkers of PDAC are still largely unknown. The receptor CD74 was recently identified as a regulator of oncogenic properties in various cancers. However, the precise molecular mechanism of CD74 action in PDAC remains little understood. We investigated the role of CD74 by silencing CD74 in the pancreatic cancer cell line Capan-1. CD74 knockdown led to reductions in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased apoptosis. Moreover, silencing CD74 resulted in the decreased expression and secretion of S100A8 and S100A9. An indirect co-culture of fibroblasts and tumor cells revealed that fibroblasts exposed to conditioned media from CD74 knockdown cells exhibited a reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a role of CD74 in influencing cytokine secretion in the tumor microenvironment. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the critical role of CD74 in regulating the oncogenic properties of pancreatic cancer cells and its influence on the expression and secretion of S100A8 and S100A9. Taken together, these findings indicate CD74 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woosol Chris Hong
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; (W.C.H.); (J.H.K.); (S.F.)
| | - Da Eun Lee
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea; (D.E.L.); (H.W.K.); (M.J.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Hyeon Woong Kang
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea; (D.E.L.); (H.W.K.); (M.J.K.); (M.K.)
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeong Jin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea; (D.E.L.); (H.W.K.); (M.J.K.); (M.K.)
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Minsoo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea; (D.E.L.); (H.W.K.); (M.J.K.); (M.K.)
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Kim
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; (W.C.H.); (J.H.K.); (S.F.)
| | - Sungsoon Fang
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; (W.C.H.); (J.H.K.); (S.F.)
| | - Hyo Jung Kim
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; (W.C.H.); (J.H.K.); (S.F.)
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea; (D.E.L.); (H.W.K.); (M.J.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Joon Seong Park
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; (W.C.H.); (J.H.K.); (S.F.)
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea; (D.E.L.); (H.W.K.); (M.J.K.); (M.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mokoala KMG, Lawal IO, Maserumule LC, Bida M, Maes A, Ndlovu H, Reed J, Mahapane J, Davis C, Van de Wiele C, Popoola G, Giesel FL, Vorster M, Sathekge MM. Correlation between [ 68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET Imaging and HIF-1α Immunohistochemical Analysis in Cervical Cancer: Proof-of-Concept. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3953. [PMID: 37568769 PMCID: PMC10417683 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153953] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia leads to changes in tumor microenvironment (upregulated CAFs) with resultant aggressiveness. A key factor in the physiological response to hypoxia is hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α). [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET imaging has been demonstrated in various cancer types. We hypothesized that [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET may be used as an indirect tracer for mapping hypoxia by correlating the image findings to pathological analysis of HIF-1α expression. The [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT scans of women with cancer of the cervix were reviewed and the maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean) and FAPI tumor volume (FAPI-TV) were documented. Correlation analysis was performed between PET-derived parameters and immunohistochemical staining as well as between PET-derived parameters and the presence of metastasis. Ten women were included. All patients demonstrated tracer uptake in the primary site or region of the primary. All patients had lymph node metastases while only six patients had distant visceral or skeletal metastases. The mean SUVmax, SUVmean, and FAPI-TV was 18.89, 6.88, and 195.66 cm3, respectively. The average FAPI-TV for patients with additional sites of metastases was higher than those without. Immunohistochemistry revealed varying intensities of HIF-1α expression in all tested samples. There was a positive correlation between the presence of skeletal metastases and staining for HIF-1α (r=0.80;p=0.017). The presence of skeletal metastasis was correlated to the HIF-1⍺ staining (percentage distribution). Furthermore, the FAPI-TV was a better predictor of metastatic disease than the SUVmax.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kgomotso M. G. Mokoala
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
| | - Ismaheel O. Lawal
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Letjie C. Maserumule
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
| | - Meshack Bida
- National Health Laboratory Services, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Alex Maes
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
- Katholieke University Leuven, 3000 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Honest Ndlovu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
| | - Janet Reed
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
| | - Johncy Mahapane
- Department of Radiography, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa;
| | - Cindy Davis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
| | - Christophe Van de Wiele
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gbenga Popoola
- Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, St George’s, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 1FS, UK;
| | - Frederik L. Giesel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Dusseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Mariza Vorster
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Kwazulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa;
| | - Mike M. Sathekge
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; (K.M.G.M.); (I.O.L.); (L.C.M.); (A.M.); (H.N.); (J.R.); (C.D.); (C.V.d.W.)
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Muoio MG, Pellegrino M, Rapicavoli V, Talia M, Scavo G, Sergi V, Vella V, Pettinato S, Galasso MG, Lappano R, Scordamaglia D, Cirillo F, Pulvirenti A, Rigiracciolo DC, Maggiolini M, Belfiore A, De Francesco EM. RAGE inhibition blunts insulin-induced oncogenic signals in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:84. [PMID: 37461077 PMCID: PMC10351154 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01686-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is implicated in diabetes and obesity complications, as well as in breast cancer (BC). Herein, we evaluated whether RAGE contributes to the oncogenic actions of Insulin, which plays a key role in BC progression particularly in obese and diabetic patients. Analysis of the publicly available METABRIC study, which collects gene expression and clinical data from a large cohort (n = 1904) of BC patients, revealed that RAGE and the Insulin Receptor (IR) are co-expressed and associated with negative prognostic parameters. In MCF-7, ZR75 and 4T1 BC cells, as well as in patient-derived Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts, the pharmacological inhibition of RAGE as well as its genetic depletion interfered with Insulin-induced activation of the oncogenic pathway IR/IRS1/AKT/CD1. Mechanistically, IR and RAGE directly interacted upon Insulin stimulation, as shown by in situ proximity ligation assays and coimmunoprecipitation studies. Of note, RAGE inhibition halted the activation of both IR and insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), as demonstrated in MCF-7 cells KO for the IR and the IGF-1R gene via CRISPR-cas9 technology. An unbiased label-free proteomic analysis uncovered proteins and predicted pathways affected by RAGE inhibition in Insulin-stimulated BC cells. Biologically, RAGE inhibition reduced cell proliferation, migration, and patient-derived mammosphere formation triggered by Insulin. In vivo, the pharmacological inhibition of RAGE halted Insulin-induced tumor growth, without affecting blood glucose homeostasis. Together, our findings suggest that targeting RAGE may represent an appealing opportunity to blunt Insulin-induced oncogenic signaling in BC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M G Muoio
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122, Catania, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - M Pellegrino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - V Rapicavoli
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - M Talia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - G Scavo
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - V Sergi
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - V Vella
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - S Pettinato
- Breast Unit Breast Surgery, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - M G Galasso
- Pathological Anatomy Unit, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - R Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - D Scordamaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - F Cirillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - A Pulvirenti
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95131, Catania, Italy
| | - D C Rigiracciolo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - M Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy.
| | - A Belfiore
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122, Catania, Italy
| | - E M De Francesco
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122, Catania, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jeong JS, Yoon Y, Kim W, Kim HJ, Park HJ, Park KH, Lee KB, Kim SR, Kim SH, Park YS, Hong SB, Hong SJ, Kim DI, Lee GH, Chae HJ, Lee YC. NecroX Improves Polyhexamethylene Guanidine-induced Lung Injury by Regulating Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:57-72. [PMID: 36930952 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0459oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Various environmental compounds are inducers of lung injury. Mitochondria are crucial organelles that can be affected by many lung diseases. NecroX is an indole-derived antioxidant that specifically targets mitochondria. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential and related molecular mechanisms of NecroX in preclinical models of fatal lung injury. We investigated the therapeutic effects of NecroX on two different experimental models of lung injury induced by polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) and bleomycin, respectively. We also performed transcriptome analysis of lung tissues from PHMG-exposed mice and compared the expression profiles with those from dozens of bleomycin-induced fibrosis public data sets. Respiratory exposure to PHMG and bleomycin led to fatal lung injury manifesting extensive inflammation followed by fibrosis. These specifically affected mitochondria regarding biogenesis, mitochondrial DNA integrity, and the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in various cell types. NecroX significantly improved the pathobiologic features of the PHMG- and bleomycin-induced lung injuries through regulation of mitochondrial oxidative stress. Endoplasmic reticulum stress was also implicated in PHMG-associated lung injuries of mice and humans, and NecroX alleviated PHMG-induced lung injury and the subsequent fibrosis, in part, via regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice. Gene expression profiles of PHMG-exposed mice were highly consistent with public data sets of bleomycin-induced lung injury models. Pathways related to mitochondrial activities, including oxidative stress, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial translation, were upregulated, and these patterns were significantly reversed by NecroX. These findings demonstrate that NecroX possesses therapeutic potential for fatal lung injury in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jae Seok Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Medical School
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, and
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Yeogha Yoon
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wankyu Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee Jung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Medical School
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Hae Jin Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Medical School
| | - Kyung Hwa Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Medical School
| | - Kyung Bae Lee
- Functional Food Evaluation Center, National Food Cluster, Iksan, South Korea
| | - So Ri Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Medical School
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, and
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Soon Ha Kim
- MitoImmnune Therapeutics, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Sang-Bum Hong
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - Soo-Jong Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Asthma and Atopy Center, Environmental Health Center, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea; and
| | - Dong Im Kim
- Inhalation Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeongeup, South Korea
| | | | - Han-Jung Chae
- School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
- Non-Clinical Evaluation Center, and
| | - Yong Chul Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Medical School
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, and
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Alencar AKN, Swan KF, Pridjian G, Lindsey SH, Bayer CL. Connecting G protein-coupled estrogen receptor biomolecular mechanisms with the pathophysiology of preeclampsia: a review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:60. [PMID: 37393260 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01112-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Throughout the course of pregnancy, small maternal spiral arteries that are in contact with fetal tissue undergo structural remodeling, lose smooth muscle cells, and become less responsive to vasoconstrictors. Additionally, placental extravillous trophoblasts invade the maternal decidua to establish an interaction between the fetal placental villi with the maternal blood supply. When successful, this process enables the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and signaling molecules but an insufficiency leads to placental ischemia. In response, the placenta releases vasoactive factors that enter the maternal circulation and promote maternal cardiorenal dysfunction, a hallmark of preeclampsia (PE), the leading cause of maternal and fetal death. An underexplored mechanism in the development of PE is the impact of membrane-initiated estrogen signaling via the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Recent evidence indicates that GPER activation is associated with normal trophoblast invasion, placental angiogenesis/hypoxia, and regulation of uteroplacental vasodilation, and these mechanisms could explain part of the estrogen-induced control of uterine remodeling and placental development in pregnancy. CONCLUSION Although the relevance of GPER in PE remains speculative, this review provides a summary of our current understanding on how GPER stimulation regulates some of the features of normal pregnancy and a potential link between its signaling network and uteroplacental dysfunction in PE. Synthesis of this information will facilitate the development of innovative treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth F Swan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Gabriella Pridjian
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Sarah H Lindsey
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Carolyn L Bayer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, 500 Lindy Boggs Center, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pal U, Manjegowda MC, Singh N, Saikia S, Philip BS, Jyoti Kalita D, Kumar Rai A, Sarma A, Raphael V, Modi D, Chandra Kataki A, Mukund Limaye A. The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor, a gene co-expressed with ERα in breast tumors, is regulated by estrogen-ERα signalling in ERα positive breast cancer cells. Gene 2023:147548. [PMID: 37279863 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
GPER is a seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor that mediates rapid estrogen actions. Large volumes of data have revealed its association with clinicopathological variables in breast tumors, role in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like effects of estrogen, potential as a therapeutic target or a prognostic marker, and involvement in endocrine resistance in the face of tamoxifen agonism. GPER cross-talks with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in cell culture models implicating its role the physiology of normal or transformed mammary epithelial cells. However, discrepancies in the literature have obfuscated the nature of their relationship, its significance, and the underlying mechanism. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between GPER, and ERα in breast tumors, to understand the mechanistic basis, and to gauge its clinical significance. We mined The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-BRCA data to examine the relationship between GPER and ERα expression. GPER mRNA, and protein expression were analyzed in ERα-positive or -negative breast tumors from two independent cohorts using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, or RT-qPCR. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter (KM) was employed for survival analysis. The influence of estrogen in vivo was studied by examining GPER expression levels in estrus or diestrus mouse mammary tissues, and the impact of 17β-estradiol (E2) administration in juvenile or adult mice. The effect of E2, or propylpyrazoletriol (PPT, an ERα agonist) stimulation on GPER expression was studied in MCF-7 and T47D cells, with or without tamoxifen or ERα knockdown. ERα-binding to the GPER locus was explored by analysing ChIP-seq data (ERP000380), in silico prediction of estrogen response elements, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Clinical data revealed significant positive association between GPER and ERα expression in breast tumors. The median GPER expression in ERα-positive tumors was significantly higher than ERα-negative tumors. High GPER expression was significantly associated with longer overall survival (OS) of patients with ERα-positive tumors. In vivo experiments showed a positive effect of E2 on GPER expression. E2 induced GPER expression in MCF-7 and T47D cells; an effect mimicked by PPT. Tamoxifen or ERα-knockdown blocked the induction of GPER. Estrogen-mediated induction was associated with increased ERα occupancy in the upstream region of GPER. Furthermore, treatment with 17β-estradiol or PPT significantly reduced the IC50 of the GPER agonist (G1)-mediated loss of MCF-7 or T47D cell viability. In conclusion, GPER is positively associated with ERα in breast tumors, and induced by estrogen-ERα signalling axis. Estrogen-mediated induction of GPER makes the cells more responsive to GPER ligands. More in-depth studies are warranted to establish the significance of GPER-ERα co-expression, and their interplay in breast tumor development, progression, and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uttariya Pal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Mohan C Manjegowda
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Neha Singh
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), JM Street, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Snigdha Saikia
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Betty S Philip
- Department of Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Shillong 793018, Meghalaya, India
| | - Deep Jyoti Kalita
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr. Bhubaneshwar Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati 781016, Assam, India
| | - Avdhesh Kumar Rai
- DBT Centre for Molecular Biology and Cancer Research, Dr. Bhubaneshwar Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati 781016, Assam, India
| | - Anupam Sarma
- Department of Oncopathology, Dr. Bhubaneshwar Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati 781016, Assam, India
| | - Vandana Raphael
- Department of Pathology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Shillong 793018, Meghalaya, India
| | - Deepak Modi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), JM Street, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Amal Chandra Kataki
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Dr. Bhubaneshwar Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati 781016, Assam, India
| | - Anil Mukund Limaye
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Peng Z, Tong Z, Ren Z, Ye M, Hu K. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and its derived exosomes: a new perspective for reshaping the tumor microenvironment. Mol Med 2023; 29:66. [PMID: 37217855 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00665-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). They extensively communicate with the other cells. Exosome-packed bioactive molecules derived from CAFs can reshape the TME by interacting with other cells and the extracellular matrix, which adds a new perspective for their clinical application in tumor targeted therapy. An in-depth understanding of the biological characteristics of CAF-derived exosomes (CDEs) is critical for depicting the detailed landscape of the TME and developing tailored therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. In this review, we have summarized the functional roles of CAFs in the TME, particularly focusing on the extensive communication mediated by CDEs that contain biological molecules such as miRNAs, proteins, metabolites, and other components. In addition, we have also highlighted the prospects for diagnostic and therapeutic applications based on CDEs, which could guide the future development of exosome-targeted anti-tumor drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Peng
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zhiwei Tong
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zihao Ren
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Manping Ye
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Kongwang Hu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Fuyang, 236000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Chhabra Y, Weeraratna AT. Fibroblasts in cancer: Unity in heterogeneity. Cell 2023; 186:1580-1609. [PMID: 37059066 PMCID: PMC11422789 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 82.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells do not exist in isolation in vivo, and carcinogenesis depends on the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), composed of a myriad of cell types and biophysical and biochemical components. Fibroblasts are integral in maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, even before a tumor develops, pro-tumorigenic fibroblasts in close proximity can provide the fertile 'soil' to the cancer 'seed' and are known as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In response to intrinsic and extrinsic stressors, CAFs reorganize the TME enabling metastasis, therapeutic resistance, dormancy and reactivation by secreting cellular and acellular factors. In this review, we summarize the recent discoveries on CAF-mediated cancer progression with a particular focus on fibroblast heterogeneity and plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yash Chhabra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gong W, Guo Y, Yuan H, Chai R, Wan Z, Zheng B, Hu X, Chen B, Gao S, Dai Q, Yu P, Tu S. Loss of exosomal miR-200b-3p from hypoxia cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes tumorigenesis and reduces sensitivity to 5-Flourouracil in colorectal cancer via upregulation of ZEB1 and E2F3. Cancer Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41417-023-00591-5. [PMID: 36890211 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00591-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia-mediated tumor progression is a major clinical challenge in human cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). In addition, exosome-mediated transfer of miRNAs from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to cancer cells could promote tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which hypoxia CAFs promotes CRC progression remain largely unknown. CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Next, exosomes were isolated from the supernatant of CAFs that cultured under normoxia (CAFs-N-Exo) and hypoxia (CAFs-H-Exo). RNA-sequencing was then performed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between CAFs-N-Exo and CAFs-H-Exo. Compared with exosomes derived from normoxia CAFs, exosomes derived from hypoxic CAFs were able to promote CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, stemness and reduce the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In addition, miR-200b-3p levels were dramatically decreased in exosomes derived from hypoxic CAFs. Remarkably, increasing exosomal miR-200b-3p in hypoxic CAFs reversed the promoting effects of hypoxic CAFs on CRC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, miR-200b-3p agomir could inhibit CRC cell migration, invasion, stemness and increase the sensitivity of SW480 cells to 5-FU via downregulating ZEB1 and E2F3. Collectively, loss of exosomal miR-200b-3p in hypoxia CAFs could contribute to CRC progression via upregulation of ZEB1 and E2F3. Thus, increasing exosomal miR-200b-3p might serve as an alternative approach for the treatment of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Gong
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Yang Guo
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Hang Yuan
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Rui Chai
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Ziang Wan
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Boan Zheng
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Xinye Hu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Bingchen Chen
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Shan Gao
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Qiaoqiong Dai
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Peng Yu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
| | - Shiliang Tu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Samartzis N, Kalaitzopoulos DR, Noske A, Ihnenfeld I, Hutmacher J, Imesch P, Samartzis EP. The immunohistochemical expression of GPER and classical sex hormone receptors differs in adenomyosis and eutopic endometrium. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 156:103795. [PMID: 36709642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103795] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) has been found to be an important key regulator in the homeostasis of sex hormone-dependent human cells. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of GPER, estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), estrogen receptor beta (ER-β) and progesterone receptor (PR) in adenomyosis, eutopic endometrium from the same patients, and eutopic endometrium from patients without adenomyosis. Immunohistochemical analysis of GPER, ER-α, ER-β and PR was performed to assess the expression levels on samples of hysterectomies using tissue microarrays. 73 adenomyotic tissue probes and corresponding eutopic endometrial specimens, as well as 48 samples of eutopic endometrial control specimens from patients without adenomyosis were included in this study. Mean age of the women with adenomyosis was 51.7 (SD ± 11.1) and 65.8% were premenopausal. We found a higher nuclear stromal expression of GPER in eutopic endometrium of patients with adenomyosis in comparison to control endometrium (p < 0.001). Comparing adenomyosis to eutopic endometrium of patients with adenomyosis and to control, there was a lower expression of nuclear GPER in epithelial cells (p < 0.001 and p = 0.048, respectively). Lower epithelial nuclear ER-α in adenomyosis and higher epithelial nuclear ER-β in eutopic endometrium of patients with adenomyosis was found in comparison to control endometrium (p = 0.008 and p = 0.017, respectively). This study showed a significant difference in the immunohistochemical expression of GPER in adenomyosis compared to eutopic endometrium of the same patients and to endometrium of control group. GPER in adenomyosis may be a potential therapeutic target for selective agonists and antagonists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Samartzis
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cantonal Hospital of Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
| | - Dimitrios Rafail Kalaitzopoulos
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cantonal Hospital of Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, Switzerland
| | - Aurelia Noske
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isabel Ihnenfeld
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Triemli Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Hutmacher
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cantonal Hospital Frauenfeld, Frauenfeld, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Imesch
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Paredes F, Williams HC, Suster I, Tejos M, Fuentealba R, Bogan B, Holden CM, San Martin A. Metabolic regulation of the proteasome under hypoxia by Poldip2 controls fibrotic signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 195:283-297. [PMID: 36596387 PMCID: PMC10268434 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.12.098] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The polymerase delta interacting protein 2 (Poldip2) is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein required for oxidative metabolism. Under hypoxia, Poldip2 expression is repressed by an unknown mechanism. Therefore, low levels of Poldip2 are required to maintain glycolytic metabolism. The Cellular Communication Network Factor 2 (CCN2, Connective tissue growth factor, CTGF) is a profibrogenic molecule highly expressed in cancer and vascular inflammation in advanced atherosclerosis. Because CCN2 is upregulated under hypoxia and is associated with glycolytic metabolism, we hypothesize that Poldip2 downregulation is responsible for the upregulation of profibrotic signaling under hypoxia. Here, we report that Poldip2 is repressed under hypoxia by a mechanism that requires the activation of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 repressive complex (EZH2) downstream from the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 (CDK2). Importantly, we found that Poldip2 repression is required for CCN2 expression downstream of metabolic inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent stabilization of the serum response factor. Pharmacological or gene expression inhibition of CDK2 under hypoxia reverses Poldip2 downregulation, the inhibition of the UPS, and the expression of CCN2, collagen, and fibronectin. Thus, our findings connect cell cycle regulation and proteasome activity to mitochondrial function and fibrotic responses under hypoxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Paredes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Holly C Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Izabela Suster
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Macarena Tejos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Roberto Fuentealba
- Institute of Chemistry and Natural Resources, Universidad de Talca, Talca, 3460000, Chile
| | - Bethany Bogan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Claire M Holden
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Alejandra San Martin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sarkar M, Nguyen T, Gundre E, Ogunlusi O, El-Sobky M, Giri B, Sarkar TR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: The chief architect in the tumor microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1089068. [PMID: 36793444 PMCID: PMC9923123 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1089068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Stromal heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in malignancy and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major players in tumor stroma. The heterogeneous sources of origin and subsequent impacts of crosstalk with breast cancer cells flaunt serious challenges before current therapies to cure triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other cancers. The positive and reciprocal feedback of CAFs to induce cancer cells dictates their mutual synergy in establishing malignancy. Their substantial role in creating a tumor-promoting niche has reduced the efficacy of several anti-cancer treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Over the years, there has been an emphasis on understanding CAF-induced therapeutic resistance in order to enhance cancer therapy results. CAFs, in the majority of cases, employ crosstalk, stromal management, and other strategies to generate resilience in surrounding tumor cells. This emphasizes the significance of developing novel strategies that target particular tumor-promoting CAF subpopulations, which will improve treatment sensitivity and impede tumor growth. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the origin and heterogeneity of CAFs, their role in tumor progression, and altering the tumor response to therapeutic agents in breast cancer. In addition, we also discuss the potential and possible approaches for CAF-mediated therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mrinmoy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Tristan Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Esheksha Gundre
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Olajumoke Ogunlusi
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Mohanad El-Sobky
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Biplab Giri
- Department of Physiology, University of Gour Banga, English Bazar, India
| | - Tapasree Roy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lee B, Lee SH, Shin K. Crosstalk between fibroblasts and T cells in immune networks. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1103823. [PMID: 36700220 PMCID: PMC9868862 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1103823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are primarily considered as cells that support organ structures and are currently receiving attention for their roles in regulating immune responses in health and disease. Fibroblasts are assigned distinct phenotypes and functions in different organs owing to their diverse origins and functions. Their roles in the immune system are multifaceted, ranging from supporting homeostasis to inducing or suppressing inflammatory responses of immune cells. As a major component of immune cells, T cells are responsible for adaptive immune responses and are involved in the exacerbation or alleviation of various inflammatory diseases. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which fibroblasts regulate immune responses by interacting with T cells in host health and diseases, as well as their potential as advanced therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Byunghyuk Lee
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hyo Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea,R&D Division, GenoFocus Inc., Daejeon, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Seung-Hyo Lee, ; Kihyuk Shin,
| | - Kihyuk Shin
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea,Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea,Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Seung-Hyo Lee, ; Kihyuk Shin,
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Liao C, Liu X, Zhang C, Zhang Q. Tumor hypoxia: From basic knowledge to therapeutic implications. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:172-186. [PMID: 36603793 PMCID: PMC9929926 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.011] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Diminished oxygen availability, termed hypoxia, within solid tumors is one of the most common characteristics of cancer. Hypoxia shapes the landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME) into a pro-tumorigenic and pro-metastatic niche through arrays of pathological alterations such as abnormal vasculature, altered metabolism, immune-suppressive phenotype, etc. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that limited efficacy or the development of resistance towards antitumor therapy may be largely due to the hypoxic TME. This review will focus on summarizing the knowledge about the molecular machinery that mediates the hypoxic cellular responses and adaptations, as well as highlighting the effects and consequences of hypoxia, especially for angiogenesis regulation, cellular metabolism alteration, and immunosuppressive response within the TME. We also outline the current advances in novel therapeutic implications through targeting hypoxia in TME. A deep understanding of the basics and the role of hypoxia in the tumor will help develop better therapeutic avenues in cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengheng Liao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xijuan Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
GPER-mediated stabilization of HIF-1α contributes to upregulated aerobic glycolysis in tamoxifen-resistant cells. Oncogene 2023; 42:184-197. [PMID: 36400971 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tamoxifen is a first-line therapeutic drug for oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer; however, like other therapeutics, its clinical use is limited by acquired resistance. Tamoxifen-resistant cells have demonstrated enhanced aerobic glycolysis; however, the mechanisms underlying this upregulation remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that G-protein coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER) was involved in the upregulation of aerobic glycolysis via induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression and transcriptional activity in tamoxifen-resistant cells. Additionally, GPER stabilized HIF-1α through inhibiting its hydroxylation and ubiquitin-mediated degradation, which were associated with upregulation of C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), downregulation of prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2) and von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor protein (pVHL), induction of HIF-1α/UCH-L1 interaction, and suppression of HIF-1α/PHD2-pVHL association. The GPER/HIF-1α axis was functionally responsible for regulating tamoxifen sensitivity both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between GPER and HIF-1α expression in clinical breast cancer tissues, and high levels of GPER combined with nuclear HIF-1α indicated poor overall survival. High levels of the GPER/HIF-1α axis were also correlated with shorter relapse-free survival in patients receiving tamoxifen. Hence, our findings support a critical role of GPER/HIF-1α axis in the regulation of aerobic glycolysis in tamoxifen-resistant cells, offering a potential therapeutic target for tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer.
Collapse
|
33
|
Xu A, Xu XN, Luo Z, Huang X, Gong RQ, Fu DY. Identification of prognostic cancer-associated fibroblast markers in luminal breast cancer using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1191660. [PMID: 37207166 PMCID: PMC10191114 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1191660] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in cancer progression and are known to mediate endocrine and chemotherapy resistance through paracrine signaling. Additionally, they directly influence the expression and growth dependence of ER in Luminal breast cancer (LBC). This study aims to investigate stromal CAF-related factors and develop a CAF-related classifier to predict the prognosis and therapeutic outcomes in LBC. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were utilized to obtain mRNA expression and clinical information from 694 and 101 LBC samples, respectively. CAF infiltrations were determined by estimating the proportion of immune and cancer cells (EPIC) method, while stromal scores were calculated using the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumors using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify stromal CAF-related genes. A CAF risk signature was developed through univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method (LASSO) Cox regression model. The Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlation between CAF risk score, CAF markers, and CAF infiltrations estimated through EPIC, xCell, microenvironment cell populations-counter (MCP-counter), and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithms. The TIDE algorithm was further utilized to assess the response to immunotherapy. Additionally, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the findings. Results We constructed a 5-gene prognostic model consisting of RIN2, THBS1, IL1R1, RAB31, and COL11A1 for CAF. Using the median CAF risk score as the cutoff, we classified LBC patients into high- and low-CAF-risk groups and found that those in the high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis. Spearman correlation analyses demonstrated a strong positive correlation between the CAF risk score and stromal and CAF infiltrations, with the five model genes showing positive correlations with CAF markers. In addition, the TIDE analysis revealed that high-CAF-risk patients were less likely to respond to immunotherapy. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified significant enrichment of ECM receptor interaction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and TGF-β signaling pathway gene sets in the high-CAF-risk group patients. Conclusion The five-gene prognostic CAF signature presented in this study was not only reliable for predicting prognosis in LBC patients, but it was also effective in estimating clinical immunotherapy response. These findings have significant clinical implications, as the signature may guide tailored anti-CAF therapy in combination with immunotherapy for LBC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- An Xu
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang-Nan Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhou Luo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Huang
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong-Quan Gong
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - De-Yuan Fu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: De-Yuan Fu,
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Luo S, Jiang Y, Anfu Zheng, Zhao Y, Wu X, Li M, Du F, Chen Y, Deng S, Chen M, Li W, Li X, Gu L, Sun Y, Xiao Z, Shen J. Targeting hypoxia-inducible factors for breast cancer therapy: A narrative review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1064661. [PMID: 36532768 PMCID: PMC9751339 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1064661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), central regulators for cells to adapt to low cellular oxygen levels, are often overexpressed and activated in breast cancer. HIFs modulate the primary transcriptional response of downstream pathways and target genes in response to hypoxia, including glycolysis, angiogenesis and metastasis. They can promote the development of breast cancer and are associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients by regulating cancer processes closely related to tumor invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. Thus, specific targeting of HIFs may improve the efficiency of cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize the advances in HIF-related molecular mechanisms and clinical and preclinical studies of drugs targeting HIFs in breast cancer. Given the rapid progression in this field and nanotechnology, drug delivery systems (DDSs) for HIF targeting are increasingly being developed. Therefore, we highlight the HIF related DDS, including liposomes, polymers, metal-based or carbon-based nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Luo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People’s Hospital of Jiangyou, Mianyang, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The People’s Hospital of Wusheng, Guang’an, China
| | - Anfu Zheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yueshui Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Mingxing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Fukuan Du
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Shuai Deng
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Meijuan Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Wanping Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaobing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Li Gu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yuhong Sun
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhangang Xiao
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy and Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Khan MZI, Uzair M, Nazli A, Chen JZ. An overview on Estrogen receptors signaling and its ligands in breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 241:114658. [PMID: 35964426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen governs the regulations of various pathological and physiological actions throughout the body in both males and females. Generally, 17β-estradiol an endogenous estrogen is responsible for different health problems in pre and postmenopausal women. The major activities of endogenous estrogen are executed by nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs) ERα and ERβ while non-genomic cytoplasmic pathways also govern cell growth and apoptosis. Estrogen accomplished a fundamental role in the formation and progression of breast cancer. In this review, we have hyphenated different studies regarding ERs and a thorough and detailed study of estrogen receptors is presented. This review highlights different aspects of estrogens ranging from receptor types, their isoforms, structures, signaling pathways of ERα, ERβ and GPER along with their crystal structures, pathological roles of ER, ER ligands, and therapeutic strategies to overcome the resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Uzair
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Adila Nazli
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Jian-Zhong Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Cheng W, Xiao X, Liao Y, Cao Q, Wang C, Li X, Jia Y. Conducive target range of breast cancer: Hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:978276. [PMID: 36226050 PMCID: PMC9550190 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.978276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor disease that poses a serious threat to human health. Its biological characteristics of rapid proliferation and delayed angiogenesis, lead to intratumoral hypoxia as a common finding in breast cancer. HIF as a transcription factor, mediate a series of reactions in the hypoxic microenvironment, including metabolic reprogramming, tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis and other important physiological and pathological processes, as well as gene instability under hypoxia. In addition, in the immune microenvironment of hypoxia, both innate and acquired immunity of tumor cells undergo subtle changes to support tumor and inhibit immune activity. Thus, the elucidation of tumor microenvironment hypoxia provides a promising target for the resistance and limited efficacy of current breast cancer therapies. We also summarize the hypoxic mechanisms of breast cancer treatment related drug resistance, as well as the current status and prospects of latest related drugs targeted HIF inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Cheng
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xian Xiao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Liao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingqing Cao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Chaoran Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaojiang Li
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojiang Li, ; Yingjie Jia,
| | - Yingjie Jia
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojiang Li, ; Yingjie Jia,
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Fotsitzoudis C, Koulouridi A, Messaritakis I, Konstantinidis T, Gouvas N, Tsiaoussis J, Souglakos J. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: The Origin, Biological Characteristics and Role in Cancer-A Glance on Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184394. [PMID: 36139552 PMCID: PMC9497276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184394] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor microenvironment is a major contributor to tumor growth, metastasis and resistance to therapy. It consists of many cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which derive from different types of cells. CAFs detected in different tumor types are linked to poor prognosis, as in the case of colorectal cancer. Although their functions differ according to their subtype, their detection is not easy, and there are no established markers for such detection. They are possible targets for therapeutic treatment. Many trials are ongoing for their use as a prognostic factor and as a treatment target. More research remains to be carried out to establish their role in prognosis and treatment. Abstract The therapeutic approaches to cancer remain a considerable target for all scientists around the world. Although new cancer treatments are an everyday phenomenon, cancer still remains one of the leading mortality causes. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains in this category, although patients with CRC may have better survival compared with other malignancies. Not only the tumor but also its environment, what we call the tumor microenvironment (TME), seem to contribute to cancer progression and resistance to therapy. TME consists of different molecules and cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are a major component. They arise from normal fibroblasts and other normal cells through various pathways. Their role seems to contribute to cancer promotion, participating in tumorigenesis, proliferation, growth, invasion, metastasis and resistance to treatment. Different markers, such as a-SMA, FAP, PDGFR-β, periostin, have been used for the detection of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Their detection is important for two main reasons; research has shown that their existence is correlated with prognosis, and they are already under evaluation as a possible target for treatment. However, extensive research is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Fotsitzoudis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Asimina Koulouridi
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ippokratis Messaritakis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810-394926
| | | | | | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Souglakos
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Custodia A, Ouro A, Sargento-Freitas J, Aramburu-Núñez M, Pías-Peleteiro JM, Hervella P, Rosell A, Ferreira L, Castillo J, Romaus-Sanjurjo D, Sobrino T. Unraveling the potential of endothelial progenitor cells as a treatment following ischemic stroke. Front Neurol 2022; 13:940682. [PMID: 36158970 PMCID: PMC9492921 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.940682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is becoming one of the most common causes of death and disability in developed countries. Since current therapeutic options are quite limited, focused on acute reperfusion therapies that are hampered by a very narrow therapeutic time window, it is essential to discover novel treatments that not only stop the progression of the ischemic cascade during the acute phase, but also improve the recovery of stroke patients during the sub-acute or chronic phase. In this regard, several studies have shown that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can repair damaged vessels as well as generate new ones following cerebrovascular damage. EPCs are circulating cells with characteristics of both endothelial cells and adult stem cells presenting the ability to differentiate into mature endothelial cells and self-renew, respectively. Moreover, EPCs have the advantage of being already present in healthy conditions as circulating cells that participate in the maintenance of the endothelium in a direct and paracrine way. In this scenario, EPCs appear as a promising target to tackle stroke by self-promoting re-endothelization, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Based on clinical data showing a better neurological and functional outcome in ischemic stroke patients with higher levels of circulating EPCs, novel and promising therapeutic approaches would be pharmacological treatment promoting EPCs-generation as well as EPCs-based therapies. Here, we will review the latest advances in preclinical as well as clinical research on EPCs application following stroke, not only as a single treatment but also in combination with new therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antía Custodia
- NeuroAging Laboratory (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alberto Ouro
- NeuroAging Laboratory (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - João Sargento-Freitas
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centro Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marta Aramburu-Núñez
- NeuroAging Laboratory (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Pías-Peleteiro
- NeuroAging Laboratory (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pablo Hervella
- Neuroimaging and Biotechnology Laboratory (NOBEL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Anna Rosell
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centro Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, UC, Biotech Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Castillo
- Neuroimaging and Biotechnology Laboratory (NOBEL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Daniel Romaus-Sanjurjo
- NeuroAging Laboratory (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- *Correspondence: Daniel Romaus-Sanjurjo
| | - Tomás Sobrino
- NeuroAging Laboratory (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Tomás Sobrino
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Pirfenidone promotes the levels of exosomal miR-200 to down-regulate ZEB1 and represses the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Hum Cell 2022; 35:1813-1823. [PMID: 36002606 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00766-6] [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: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the malignancy with highest mortality and morbidity. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment of NSCLC. This research is performed to explore the biological functions of pirfenidone (PFD) to repress the malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells, and its regulatory effects on exosomal microRNA-200 (exo-miR-200) derived from CAFs. In the present work, we report that, exo-miR-200 secreted by CAFs restrains the migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NSCLC cells; PFD treatment promotes the secretion of exo-miR-200 from CAFs and enhances the tumor-suppressive properties of exo-miR-200 on NSCLC cells; zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is identified as a target of miR-200, and PFD treatment repressed the expression of ZEB1 in NSCLC cells via inducing the expression and secretion of miR-200 in CAFs. In conclusion, PFD-induced miR-200 overexpression in CAFs inhibits ZEB1 expression in NSCLC cells, and thus decelerates the migration, invasion and EMT process. Our study may provide clues for the treatment of NSCLC.
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhu Y, Li X, Wang L, Hong X, Yang J. Metabolic reprogramming and crosstalk of cancer-related fibroblasts and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:988295. [PMID: 36046791 PMCID: PMC9421293 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.988295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is notorious that cancer cells alter their metabolism to adjust to harsh environments of hypoxia and nutritional starvation. Metabolic reprogramming most often occurs in the tumor microenvironment (TME). TME is defined as the cellular environment in which the tumor resides. This includes surrounding blood vessels, fibroblasts, immune cells, signaling molecules and the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is increasingly recognized that cancer cells, fibroblasts and immune cells within TME can regulate tumor progression through metabolic reprogramming. As the most significant proportion of cells among all the stromal cells that constitute TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are closely associated with tumorigenesis and progression. Multitudinous studies have shown that CAFs participate in and promote tumor metabolic reprogramming and exert regulatory effects via the dysregulation of metabolic pathways. Previous studies have demonstrated that curbing the substance exchange between CAFs and tumor cells can dramatically restrain tumor growth. Emerging studies suggest that CAFs within the TME have emerged as important determinants of metabolic reprogramming. Metabolic reprogramming also occurs in the metabolic pattern of immune cells. In the meanwhile, immune cell phenotype and functions are metabolically regulated. Notably, immune cell functions influenced by metabolic programs may ultimately lead to alterations in tumor immunity. Despite the fact that multiple previous researches have been devoted to studying the interplays between different cells in the tumor microenvironment, the complicated relationship between CAFs and immune cells and implications of metabolic reprogramming remains unknown and requires further investigation. In this review, we discuss our current comprehension of metabolic reprogramming of CAFs and immune cells (mainly glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism) and crosstalk between them that induces immune responses, and we also highlight their contributions to tumorigenesis and progression. Furthermore, we underscore potential therapeutic opportunities arising from metabolism dysregulation and metabolic crosstalk, focusing on strategies targeting CAFs and immune cell metabolic crosstalk in cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyan Li
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiwei Hong
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of General surgery, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kim I, Choi S, Yoo S, Lee M, Kim IS. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143321. [PMID: 35884382 PMCID: PMC9320406 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancers have regions of low oxygen concentration where hypoxia-related signaling pathways are activated. The hypoxic tumor microenvironment has been widely accepted as a hallmark of cancer and shown to be a critical factor in the crosstalk between cancer and stromal cells. Fibroblasts are one of the most abundant cellular components in the tumor stroma and are also significantly affected by oxygen deprivation. In this case, we discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate fibroblasts under hypoxic conditions and their effect on cancer development and progression. Unraveling these regulatory mechanisms could be exploited in developing potential fibroblast-specific therapeutics for cancer. Abstract Solid cancers are composed of malignant cells and their surrounding matrix components. Hypoxia plays a critical role in shaping the tumor microenvironment that contributes to cancer progression and treatment failure. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most prominent components of the tumor microenvironment. CAFs are highly sensitive to hypoxia and participates in the crosstalk with cancer cells. Hypoxic CAFs modulate several mechanisms that induce cancer malignancy, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Key signaling molecules regulating CAFs in hypoxia include transforming growth factor (TGF-β) and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). In this article, we summarize the mechanisms underlying the hypoxic regulation of CAFs and how hypoxic CAFs affect cancer development and progression. We also discuss the potential therapeutic strategies focused on targeting CAFs in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iljin Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea; (S.C.); (S.Y.)
- Correspondence: (I.K.); (I.-S.K.)
| | - Sanga Choi
- Department of Pharmacology and Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea; (S.C.); (S.Y.)
| | - Seongkyeong Yoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea; (S.C.); (S.Y.)
| | - Mingyu Lee
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - In-San Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Medicinal Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
- Correspondence: (I.K.); (I.-S.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Xiang X, Niu YR, Wang ZH, Ye LL, Peng WB, Zhou Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Vital suppressors of the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:35-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
43
|
Modulatory Effects of Estradiol and Its Mixtures with Ligands of GPER and PPAR on MAPK and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways and Tumorigenic Factors in Mouse Testis Explants and Mouse Tumor Leydig Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061390. [PMID: 35740412 PMCID: PMC9219706 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was designed to evaluate how estradiol alone or in combination with G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) agonists and GPER and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) antagonists alter the expression of tumor growth factor β (TGF-β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mouse testis explants and MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells. In order to define the hormone-associated signaling pathway, the expression of MAPK and PI3K/Akt was also examined. Tissue explants and cells were treated with estradiol as well as GPER agonist (ICI 182,780), GPER antagonist (G-15), PPARα antagonist (GW6471), and PPARγ antagonist (T00709072) in various combinations. First, we showed that in testis explants GPER and PPARα expressions were activated by the GPER agonist and estradiol (either alone or in mixtures), whereas PPARγ expression was activated only by GPER agonist. Second, increased TGF-β expression and decreased COX-2 expression were found in all experimental groups of testicular explants and MA-10 cells, except for up-regulated COX-2 expression in estradiol-treated cells, compared to respective controls. Third, estradiol treatment led to elevated expression of HIF-1α and VEGF, while their lower levels versus control were noted in the remaining groups of explants. Finally, we demonstrated the up-regulation of MAPK and PI3Kp85/Akt expressions in estradiol-treated groups of both ex vivo and in vitro models, whereas estradiol in mixtures with compounds of agonistic or antagonistic properties either up-regulated or down-regulated signaling kinase expression levels. Our results suggest that a balanced estrogen level and its action together with proper GPER and PPAR signaling play a key role in the maintenance of testis homeostasis. Moreover, changes in TGF-β and COX-2 expressions (that disrupted estrogen pathway) as well as disturbed GPER-PPAR signaling observed after estradiol treatment may be involved in testicular tumorigenesis.
Collapse
|
44
|
Yang Y, Sheng J, Hu S, Cui Y, Xiao J, Yu W, Peng J, Han W, He Q, Fan Y, Niu Y, Lin J, Tian Y, Chang C, Yeh S, Jin J. Estrogen and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor accelerate the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia by inducing prostatic fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:533. [PMID: 35672281 PMCID: PMC9174491 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04979-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common and progressive urological disease in elderly men worldwide. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the speed of disease progression varies among individuals, while the pathophysiological mechanisms of accelerated clinical progression in some BPH patients remain to be elucidated. In this study, we defined patients with BPH as belonging to the accelerated progressive group (transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP] surgery at ≤50 years old), normal-speed progressive group (TURP surgery at ≥70 years old), or non-progressive group (age ≤50 years old without BPH-related surgery). We enrolled prostate specimens from the three groups of patients and compared these tissues to determine the histopathological characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying BPH patients with accelerated progression. We found that the main histopathological characteristics of accelerated progressive BPH tissues were increased stromal components and prostatic fibrosis, which were accompanied by higher myofibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition. Mechanism dissection demonstrated that these accelerated progressive BPH tissues have higher expression of the CYP19 and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) with higher estrogen biosynthesis. Estrogen functions via GPER/Gαi signaling to modulate the EGFR/ERK and HIF-1α/TGF-β1 signaling to increase prostatic stromal cell proliferation and prostatic stromal fibrosis. The increased stromal components and prostatic fibrosis may accelerate the clinical progression of BPH. Targeting this newly identified CYP19/estrogen/GPER/Gαi signaling axis may facilitate the development of novel personalized therapeutics to better suppress the progression of BPH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Urology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Jindong Sheng
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy of Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuai Hu
- grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital diseases (male) molecular diagnosis and treatment center, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Cui
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Urology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100020 Beijing, China
| | - Jing Xiao
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Urology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yu
- grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital diseases (male) molecular diagnosis and treatment center, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Peng
- grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital diseases (male) molecular diagnosis and treatment center, Beijing, China
| | - Wenke Han
- grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital diseases (male) molecular diagnosis and treatment center, Beijing, China
| | - Qun He
- grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital diseases (male) molecular diagnosis and treatment center, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Fan
- grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital diseases (male) molecular diagnosis and treatment center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanjie Niu
- grid.265021.20000 0000 9792 1228Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, 300211 Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Lin
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Urology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Ye Tian
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Urology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- grid.265021.20000 0000 9792 1228Chawnshang Chang Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin Medical University, 300211 Tianjin, China ,grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Jie Jin
- grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, 100034 Beijing, China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital diseases (male) molecular diagnosis and treatment center, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hu D, Li Z, Zheng B, Lin X, Pan Y, Gong P, Zhuo W, Hu Y, Chen C, Chen L, Zhou J, Wang L. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer: Challenges and opportunities. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:401-434. [PMID: 35481621 PMCID: PMC9118050 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is proposed to contribute substantially to the progression of cancers, including breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment. Studies have revealed that CAFs in breast cancer originate from several types of cells and promote breast cancer malignancy by secreting factors, generating exosomes, releasing nutrients, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and suppressing the function of immune cells. CAFs are also becoming therapeutic targets for breast cancer due to their specific distribution in tumors and their unique biomarkers. Agents interrupting the effect of CAFs on surrounding cells have been developed and applied in clinical trials. Here, we reviewed studies examining the heterogeneity of CAFs in breast cancer and expression patterns of CAF markers in different subtypes of breast cancer. We hope that summarizing CAF-related studies from a historical perspective will help to accelerate the development of CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dengdi Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqing Li
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Xixi Lin
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yuehong Pan
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Peirong Gong
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Wenying Zhuo
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China.,Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Cong Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Lini Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Jichun Zhou
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Linbo Wang
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Miller B, Sewell-Loftin MK. Mechanoregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 in Angiogenesis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:804934. [PMID: 35087885 PMCID: PMC8787114 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.804934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial cells that compose the vascular system in the body display a wide range of mechanotransductive behaviors and responses to biomechanical stimuli, which act in concert to control overall blood vessel structure and function. Such mechanosensitive activities allow blood vessels to constrict, dilate, grow, or remodel as needed during development as well as normal physiological functions, and the same processes can be dysregulated in various disease states. Mechanotransduction represents cellular responses to mechanical forces, translating such factors into chemical or electrical signals which alter the activation of various cell signaling pathways. Understanding how biomechanical forces drive vascular growth in healthy and diseased tissues could create new therapeutic strategies that would either enhance or halt these processes to assist with treatments of different diseases. In the cardiovascular system, new blood vessel formation from preexisting vasculature, in a process known as angiogenesis, is driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) which promotes blood vessel development. However, physical forces such as shear stress, matrix stiffness, and interstitial flow are also major drivers and effectors of angiogenesis, and new research suggests that mechanical forces may regulate VEGFR-2 phosphorylation. In fact, VEGFR-2 activation has been linked to known mechanobiological agents including ERK/MAPK, c-Src, Rho/ROCK, and YAP/TAZ. In vascular disease states, endothelial cells can be subjected to altered mechanical stimuli which affect the pathways that control angiogenesis. Both normalizing and arresting angiogenesis associated with tumor growth have been strategies for anti-cancer treatments. In the field of regenerative medicine, harnessing biomechanical regulation of angiogenesis could enhance vascularization strategies for treating a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemia or permit development of novel tissue engineering scaffolds. This review will focus on the impact of VEGFR-2 mechanosignaling in endothelial cells (ECs) and its interaction with other mechanotransductive pathways, as well as presenting a discussion on the relationship between VEGFR-2 activation and biomechanical forces in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that can help treat diseases with dysfunctional vascular growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bronte Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lappano R, Todd LA, Stanic M, Cai Q, Maggiolini M, Marincola F, Pietrobon V. Multifaceted Interplay between Hormones, Growth Factors and Hypoxia in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:539. [PMID: 35158804 PMCID: PMC8833523 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hormones and growth factors (GFs) are signaling molecules implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes. They play important roles in both healthy and tumor cells, where they function by binding to specific receptors on target cells and activating downstream signaling cascades. The stages of tumor progression are influenced by hormones and GF signaling. Hypoxia, a hallmark of cancer progression, contributes to tumor plasticity and heterogeneity. Most solid tumors contain a hypoxic core due to rapid cellular proliferation that outgrows the blood supply. In these circumstances, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play a central role in the adaptation of tumor cells to their new environment, dramatically reshaping their transcriptional profile. HIF signaling is modulated by a variety of factors including hormones and GFs, which activate signaling pathways that enhance tumor growth and metastatic potential and impair responses to therapy. In this review, we summarize the role of hormones and GFs during cancer onset and progression with a particular focus on hypoxia and the interplay with HIF proteins. We also discuss how hypoxia influences the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, considering that a hypoxic environment may act as a determinant of the immune-excluded phenotype and a major hindrance to the success of adoptive cell therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Lauren A. Todd
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Mia Stanic
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
| | - Qi Cai
- Kite Pharma Inc., Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA; (Q.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ayvaz I, Sunay D, Sariyar E, Erdal E, Karagonlar ZF. Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma - a Review. J Gastrointest Cancer 2021; 52:1294-1308. [PMID: 34927218 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-021-00772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture studies are becoming extremely common because of their capability to mimic tumor architecture, such as cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, more efficiently than 2D monolayer systems. These interactions have important roles in defining the tumor cell behaviors, such as proliferation, differentiation, and most importantly, tumor drug response. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide an overview of the methods for 3D tumor spheroid formation to model human tumors, specifically concentrated on studies using hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. METHOD We obtained information from previously published articles. In this review, there is discussion of the scaffold and non-scaffold-based approaches, including hanging drop, bioreactors and 3D bioprinting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The mimicking of the tumor microenvironment (TME) as tumor spheroids could provide a valuable platform for studying tumor biology. Multicellular tumor spheroids are self-assembled cultures of mixed cells (tumor and stromal cells) organized in a 3D arrangement. These spheroids closely mimic the main features of human solid tumors, such as structural organization, central hypoxia, and overall oxygen and nutrient gradients. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy, and most difficult to overcome because of its drug resistance and tumor heterogeneity. In order to mimic this highly heterogeneous environment, 3D cell culture systems are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irmak Ayvaz
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, 35330, Turkey
| | - Dilara Sunay
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, 35330, Turkey
| | - Ece Sariyar
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, 35330, Turkey
| | - Esra Erdal
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, FacultyofMedicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, 35340, Turkey.,Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, 35340, Turkey
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Galuszka A, Pawlicki P, Pardyak L, Chmurska-Gąsowska M, Pietsch-Fulbiszewska A, Duliban M, Turek W, Dubniewicz K, Ramisz G, Kotula-Balak M. Abundance of estrogen receptors involved in non-canonical signaling in the dog testis. Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 235:106888. [PMID: 34839117 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
With estrogen regulation of the reproductive system, G-protein-coupled membrane estrogen receptor (GPER) and estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are implicated. Non-canonical receptors can bind estrogens such as environmental and pharmacological chemicals. These compounds induce rapid non-genomic pathways or receptor interaction including autoactivation. Testicular tumors occur in dogs more frequently than in other domestic animals. Also, in recent decades there were increased occurrences of various tumor types in dogs. Using qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry procedures in the present study, there was determination of abundance pattern of GPER, ERRα, β and γ in dog tests when there were intratubular germ cell tumors. There was quantitation of estradiol, cyclic GMP and calcium ions (Ca2+). There were changes (P < 0.01; P < 0.001) in GPER, ERRα and β in both mRNA transcript and protein abundances including less (P < 0.001) co-abundance of ERRγ mRNA transcript and protein. Receptors were mainly located in Leydig cells with there being receptor delocalization to the cell cytoplasm or occasionally detections in the seminiferous tubule epithelia, especially of testicular tumor tissues. There were also greater estradiol (P < 0.05) and lesser cGMP and Ca2+ concentrations in testicular tumor tissues indicating there was a disrupted sex steroid milieu and tumor cell metastasis. Results from the present study provide further evidence that ERRγ has marked actions in testicular germ cell tumor initiation and development and in further structural-functional disruptions of dog testis. Concomitantly, abundance pattern of GPER and ERRs, relative to concentrations of cGMP and Ca2+, may be an additional indicator of intratubular germ cell tumors in dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Galuszka
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Pawlicki
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Redzina 1c, 30-248 Krakow, Poland
| | - Laura Pardyak
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Redzina 1c, 30-248 Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Chmurska-Gąsowska
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Pietsch-Fulbiszewska
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Michal Duliban
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Wiktor Turek
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Dubniewicz
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Ramisz
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Kotula-Balak
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
D’Andrea MR, Cereda V, Coppola L, Giordano G, Remo A, De Santis E. Propensity for Early Metastatic Spread in Breast Cancer: Role of Tumor Vascularization Features and Tumor Immune Infiltrate. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235917. [PMID: 34885027 PMCID: PMC8657227 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a complex and highly heterogeneous disease consisting of various subtypes. It is classified into human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER-2)-enriched, luminal A, luminal B and basal-like/triple negative (TNBC) breast cancer, based on histological and molecular features. At present, clinical decision-making in breast cancer is focused only on the assessment of tumor cells; nevertheless, it has been recognized that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical biologic role in breast cancer. This is constituted by a large group of immune and non-immune cells, but also by non-cellular components, such as several cytokines. TME is deeply involved in angiogenesis, immune-evasion strategies, and propensity for early metastatic spread, impacting on prognosis and prediction of response to specific treatments. In this review, we focused our attention on the early morphological changes of tumor microenvironment (tumor vasculature features, presence of immune and non-immune cells infiltrating the stroma, levels of cytokines) during breast cancer development. At the same time, we correlate these characteristics with early metastatic propensity (defined as synchronous metastasis or early recurrence) with particular attention to breast cancer subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rosario D’Andrea
- Clinical Oncology Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Largo Donatori del Sangue 1, Civitavecchia, 00053 Rome, Italy;
| | - Vittore Cereda
- Clinical Oncology Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Largo Donatori del Sangue 1, Civitavecchia, 00053 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-07-6659-1230
| | - Luigi Coppola
- Unit of Anatomy, Pathological Histology and Diagnostic Cytology, Department of Diagnostic and Pharma-Ceutical Services, Sandro Pertini Hospital, 00157 Rome, Italy;
| | - Guido Giordano
- Unit of Medical Oncology and Biomolecular Therapy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Policlinico Riuniti, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Andrea Remo
- Pathology Unit, Mater Salutis Hospital, ULSS9, Legnago, 37045 Verona, Italy;
| | - Elena De Santis
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|