1
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Knott EP, Kim EY, Kim EQ, Freire R, Medina JA, Wang Y, Chen CB, Wu C, Wangpaichitr M, Conejo-Garcia JR, Lim DC. Orthotopic Models Using New, Murine Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines Simulate Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Immunotherapy. Cells 2024; 13:1120. [PMID: 38994972 PMCID: PMC11240577 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding tumor-host immune interactions and the mechanisms of lung cancer response to immunotherapy is crucial. Current preclinical models used to study this often fall short of capturing the complexities of human lung cancer and lead to inconclusive results. To bridge the gap, we introduce two new murine monoclonal lung cancer cell lines for use in immunocompetent orthotopic models. We demonstrate how our cell lines exhibit immunohistochemical protein expression (TTF-1, NapA, PD-L1) and common driver mutations (KRAS, p53, and p110α) seen in human lung adenocarcinoma patients, and how our orthotopic models respond to combination immunotherapy in vivo in a way that closely mirrors current clinical outcomes. These new lung adenocarcinoma cell lines provide an invaluable, clinically relevant platform for investigating the intricate dynamics between tumor and the immune system, and thus potentially contributes to a deeper understanding of immunotherapeutic approaches to lung cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P. Knott
- Research Services, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (E.P.K.); (E.Y.K.); (E.Q.K.); (C.W.); (M.W.)
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA
| | - Emily Y. Kim
- Research Services, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (E.P.K.); (E.Y.K.); (E.Q.K.); (C.W.); (M.W.)
- South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL 33125, USA
| | - Edison Q. Kim
- Research Services, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (E.P.K.); (E.Y.K.); (E.Q.K.); (C.W.); (M.W.)
| | - Rochelle Freire
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Justin A. Medina
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA; (Y.W.); (C.-B.C.)
| | - Cheng-Bang Chen
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA; (Y.W.); (C.-B.C.)
| | - Chunjing Wu
- Research Services, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (E.P.K.); (E.Y.K.); (E.Q.K.); (C.W.); (M.W.)
| | - Medhi Wangpaichitr
- Research Services, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (E.P.K.); (E.Y.K.); (E.Q.K.); (C.W.); (M.W.)
- South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research and Education, Miami, FL 33125, USA
- Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jose R. Conejo-Garcia
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Diane C. Lim
- Research Services, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (E.P.K.); (E.Y.K.); (E.Q.K.); (C.W.); (M.W.)
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA
- Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33125, USA
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2
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Padmyastuti A, Sarmiento MG, Dib M, Ehrhardt J, Schoon J, Somova M, Burchardt M, Roennau C, Pinto PC. Microfluidic-based prostate cancer model for investigating the secretion of prostate-specific antigen and microRNAs in vitro. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11623. [PMID: 37468746 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38834-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of prostate cancer in vitro relies on established cell lines that lack important physiological characteristics, such as proper polarization and expression of relevant biomarkers. Microphysiological systems (MPS) can replicate cancer microenvironments and lead to cellular phenotypic changes that better represent organ physiology in vitro. In this study, we developed an MPS model comprising conventional prostate cancer cells to evaluate their activity under dynamic culture conditions. Androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-insensitive (PC3) cells were grown in conventional and 3D cultures, both static and dynamic. Cell morphology, the secretion of prostate-specific antigen, and the expression of key prostate markers and microRNAs were analyzed. LNCaP formed spheroids in 3D and MPS cultures, with morphological changes supported by the upregulation of cytokeratins and adhesion proteins. LNCaP also maintained a constant prostate-specific antigen secretion in MPS. PC3 cells did not develop complex structures in 3D and MPS cultures. PSA expression at the gene level was downregulated in LNCaP-MPS and considerably upregulated in PC3-MPS. MicroRNA expression was altered by the 3D static and dynamic culture, both intra- and extracellularly. MicroRNAs associated with prostate cancer progression were mostly upregulated in LNCaP-MPS. Overall dynamic cell culture substantially altered the morphology and expression of LNCaP cells, arguably augmenting their prostate cancer phenotype. This novel approach demonstrates that microRNA expression in prostate cancer cells is sensitive to external stimuli and that MPS can effectively promote important physiological changes in conventional prostate cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adventina Padmyastuti
- Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marina Garcia Sarmiento
- Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maria Dib
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jens Ehrhardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Janosch Schoon
- Center for Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleichmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maryna Somova
- Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Burchardt
- Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Cindy Roennau
- Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Pedro Caetano Pinto
- Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany.
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3
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Shen M, Xie S, Rowicki M, Michel S, Wei Y, Hang X, Wan L, Lu X, Yuan M, Jin JF, Jaschinski F, Zhou T, Klar R, Kang Y. Therapeutic Targeting of Metadherin Suppresses Colorectal and Lung Cancer Progression and Metastasis. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1014-1025. [PMID: 33239430 PMCID: PMC8026491 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal and lung cancers account for one-third of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. Previous studies suggested that metadherin (MTDH) is involved in the development of colorectal and lung cancers. However, how MTDH regulates the pathogenesis of these cancers remains largely unknown. Using genetically modified mouse models of spontaneous colorectal and lung cancers, we found that MTDH promotes cancer progression by facilitating Wnt activation and by inducing cytotoxic T-cell exhaustion, respectively. Moreover, we developed locked nucleic acid-modified (LNA) MTDH antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) that effectively and specifically suppress MTDH expression in vitro and in vivo. Treatments with MTDH ASOs in mouse models significantly attenuated progression and metastasis of colorectal, lung, and breast cancers. Our study opens a new avenue for developing therapies against colorectal and lung cancers by targeting MTDH using LNA-modified ASO. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides new insights into the mechanism of MTDH in promoting colorectal and lung cancers, as well as genetic and pharmacologic evidence supporting the development of MTDH-targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhong Shen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Shanshan Xie
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Michelle Rowicki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Sven Michel
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yong Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Xiang Hang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Liling Wan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Min Yuan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - John F Jin
- Firebrand Therapeutics, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Frank Jaschinski
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tianhua Zhou
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard Klar
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey.
- Cancer Metabolism and Growth Program, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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Kunigenas L, Stankevicius V, Dulskas A, Budginaite E, Alzbutas G, Stratilatovas E, Cordes N, Suziedelis K. 3D Cell Culture-Based Global miRNA Expression Analysis Reveals miR-142-5p as a Theranostic Biomarker of Rectal Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Long-Course Treatment. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E613. [PMID: 32316138 PMCID: PMC7226077 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered expression of miRNAs in tumor tissue encourages the translation of this specific molecular pattern into clinical practice. However, the establishment of a selective biomarker signature for many tumor types remains an inextricable challenge. For this purpose, a preclinical experimental design, which could maintain a fast and sensitive discovery of potential biomarkers, is in demand. The present study suggests that the approach of 3D cell cultures as a preclinical cancer model that is characterized to mimic a natural tumor environment maintained in solid tumors could successfully be employed for the biomarker discovery and validation. Subsequently, in this study, we investigated an environment-dependent miRNA expression changes in colorectal adenocarcinoma DLD1 and HT29 cell lines using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. We detected a subset of 16 miRNAs differentially expressed in both cell lines cultivated in multicellular spheroids compared to expression levels in cells grown in 2D. Furthermore, results of in silico miRNA target analysis showed that miRNAs, which were differentially expressed in both cell lines grown in MCS, are involved in the regulation of molecular mechanisms implicated in cell adhesion, cell-ECM interaction, and gap junction pathways. In addition, integrins and platelet-derived growth factor receptors were determined to be the most significant target genes of deregulated miRNAs, which was concordant with the environment-dependent gene expression changes validated by RT-qPCR. Our results revealed that 3D microenvironment-dependent deregulation of miRNA expression in CRC cells potentially triggers essential molecular mechanisms predominantly including the regulation of cell adhesion, cell-cell, and cell-ECM interactions important in CRC initiation and development. Finally, we demonstrated increased levels of selected miR-142-5p in rectum tumor tissue samples after neoadjuvant long course treatment compared to miR-142-5p expression levels in tumor biopsy samples collected before the therapy. Remarkably, the elevation of miR-142-5p expression remained in tumor samples compared to adjacent normal rectum tissue as well. Therefore, the current study provides valuable insights into the molecular miRNA machinery of CRC and proposes a potential miRNA signature for the assessment of CRC in further clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linas Kunigenas
- National Cancer Institute, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.D.); (E.B.); (E.S.)
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vaidotas Stankevicius
- National Cancer Institute, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.D.); (E.B.); (E.S.)
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Audrius Dulskas
- National Cancer Institute, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.D.); (E.B.); (E.S.)
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
- University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Care, LT-08303 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Elzbieta Budginaite
- National Cancer Institute, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.D.); (E.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Gediminas Alzbutas
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, LT-02241 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Institute of Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Vilnius University, LT-08303 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Eugenijus Stratilatovas
- National Cancer Institute, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.D.); (E.B.); (E.S.)
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Nils Cordes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität, D–01307 Dresden, Germany;
- Helmholtz–Zentrum Dresden–Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology–OncoRay, D–01328 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, D–69192 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), D–69192 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kestutis Suziedelis
- National Cancer Institute, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.D.); (E.B.); (E.S.)
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
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5
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Hermida MA, Kumar JD, Schwarz D, Laverty KG, Di Bartolo A, Ardron M, Bogomolnijs M, Clavreul A, Brennan PM, Wiegand UK, Melchels FP, Shu W, Leslie NR. Three dimensional in vitro models of cancer: Bioprinting multilineage glioblastoma models. Adv Biol Regul 2019; 75:100658. [PMID: 31727590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Three dimensional (3D) bioprinting of multiple cell types within optimised extracellular matrices has the potential to more closely model the 3D environment of human physiology and disease than current alternatives. In this study, we used a multi-nozzle extrusion bioprinter to establish models of glioblastoma made up of cancer and stromal cells printed within matrices comprised of alginate modified with RGDS cell adhesion peptides, hyaluronic acid and collagen-1. Methods were developed using U87MG glioblastoma cells and MM6 monocyte/macrophages, whilst more disease relevant constructs contained glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), co-printed with glioma associated stromal cells (GASCs) and microglia. Printing parameters were optimised to promote cell-cell interaction, avoiding the 'caging in' of cells due to overly dense cross-linking. Such printing had a negligible effect on cell viability, and cells retained robust metabolic activity and proliferation. Alginate gels allowed the rapid recovery of printed cell protein and RNA, and fluorescent reporters provided analysis of protein kinase activation at the single cell level within printed constructs. GSCs showed more resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs in 3D printed tumour constructs compared to 2D monolayer cultures, reflecting the clinical situation. In summary, a novel 3D bioprinting strategy is developed which allows control over the spatial organisation of tumour constructs for pre-clinical drug sensitivity testing and studies of the tumour microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Hermida
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics & Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jothi Dinesh Kumar
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics & Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniela Schwarz
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics & Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Keith G Laverty
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics & Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alberto Di Bartolo
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics & Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marcus Ardron
- Renishaw PLC, Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Anne Clavreul
- Département de Neurochirurgie, CHU, Angers, France; CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Université D'Angers, France
| | - Paul M Brennan
- Translational Neurosurgery, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ulrich K Wiegand
- Queens' Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ferry Pw Melchels
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics & Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Will Shu
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas R Leslie
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics & Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
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6
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Xu S, Liu R, Da Y. Comparison of tumor related signaling pathways with known compounds to determine potential agents for lung adenocarcinoma. Thorac Cancer 2018; 9:974-988. [PMID: 29870138 PMCID: PMC6068465 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study compared tumor‐related signaling pathways with known compounds to determine potential agents for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) treatment. Methods Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes signaling pathway analyses were performed based on LUAD differentially expressed genes from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project and genotype‐tissue expression controls. These results were compared to various known compounds using the Connectivity Mapping dataset. The clinical significance of the hub genes identified by overlapping pathway enrichment analysis was further investigated using data mining from multiple sources. A drug‐pathway network for LUAD was constructed, and molecular docking was carried out. Results After the integration of 57 LUAD‐related pathways and 35 pathways affected by small molecules, five overlapping pathways were revealed. Among these five pathways, the p53 signaling pathway was the most significant, with CCNB1, CCNB2, CDK1, CDKN2A, and CHEK1 being identified as hub genes. The p53 signaling pathway is implicated as a risk factor for LUAD tumorigenesis and survival. A total of 88 molecules significantly inhibiting the five LUAD‐related oncogenic pathways were involved in the LUAD drug‐pathway network. Daunorubicin, mycophenolic acid, and pyrvinium could potentially target the hub gene CHEK1 directly. Conclusion Our study highlights the critical pathways that should be targeted in the search for potential LUAD treatments, most importantly, the p53 signaling pathway. Some compounds, such as ciclopirox and AG‐028671, may have potential roles for LUAD treatment but require further experimental verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Xu
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Renwang Liu
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yurong Da
- Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology in Tianjin, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Läubli H, Müller P, D'Amico L, Buchi M, Kashyap AS, Zippelius A. The multi-receptor inhibitor axitinib reverses tumor-induced immunosuppression and potentiates treatment with immune-modulatory antibodies in preclinical murine models. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:815-824. [PMID: 29487979 PMCID: PMC11028099 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-018-2136-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies have significantly improved the prognosis of cancer patients. Despite the clinical success of targeting inhibitory checkpoint receptors, including PD-1 and/or CTLA-4 on T cells, only a minority of patients derive benefit from these therapies. New strategies to improve cancer immunotherapy are therefore needed. Combination therapy of checkpoint inhibitors with targeted agents has promisingly shown to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy. Here, we analyzed the immunomodulatory effects of the multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor axitinib and its efficacy in combination with immunotherapies. In different syngeneic murine tumor models, axitinib showed therapeutic efficacy that was not only mediated by VEGF-VEGFR inhibition, but also through the induction of anti-cancer immunity. Mechanistically, a significant reduction of immune-suppressive cells, including a decrease of tumor-promoting mast cells and tumor-associated macrophages was observed upon axitinib treatment. Inhibition of mast cells by axitinib as well as their experimental depletion led to reduced tumor growth. Of note, treatment with axitinib led to an improved T cell response, while the latter was pivotal for the therapeutic efficacy. Combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors anti-PD-1 and anti-TIM-3 and/or agonistic engagement of the activating receptor CD137 resulted in a synergistic therapeutic efficacy. This demonstrates non-redundant immune activation induced by axitinib via modulation of myeloid and mast cells. These findings provide important mechanistic insights into axitinib-mediated anti-cancer immunity and provide rationale for clinical combinations of axitinib with different immunotherapeutic modalities.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Axitinib
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/immunology
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Synergism
- Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology
- Imidazoles/pharmacology
- Immunosuppression Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Indazoles/pharmacology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/antagonists & inhibitors
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/immunology
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Läubli
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Hebelstr. 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Philipp Müller
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Hebelstr. 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88400, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Lucia D'Amico
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Hebelstr. 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mélanie Buchi
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Hebelstr. 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Abhishek S Kashyap
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Hebelstr. 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alfred Zippelius
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Hebelstr. 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
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8
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Ushakov DS, Kalinina TS, Dorozhkova AS, Ovchinnikov VY, Gulyaeva LF. Tissue-specific effects of benzo[a]pyrene and DDT on microRNA expression profile in female rats. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2018. [DOI: 10.18699/vj18.355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many xenobiotics in the human environment, such as benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), may act as non-genotoxic carcinogens through epigenetic mechanisms, including changes in microRNA expression profile. In part, such disorders can be mediated by the activation of nuclear receptors, resulting in the activation of protein coding gene expression and microRNAs involved in malignant transformation of cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the chain of events “xenobiotic administration – receptor activation – up-regulating microRNA expression – down-regulation target genes expression” as one of the key factors in the chemically-induced carcinogenesis. Using in silico methods, an analysis of the rat genome was carried out to find microRNAs putatively regulated by AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) and CAR (constitutive androstane receptor), activated by BP and DDT, respectively. In particular, miR-3577 and -193b were selected as potentially regulated CAR, miR-207 was selected as a candidate for miR under AhR regulation. The results of the study showed that the treatment of female rats with DDT and B(a)P caused a tissue-specific changes in the expression of microRNAs and host genes in both acute and chronic administration of xenobiotics. To confirm the effects of xenobiotics on the microRNA expression, we also estimated the mRNA level of PTPN6, EIF3F, Cbx7, and Dicer1 genes potentially targeting miR-193b, -207, and -3577. The study has shown a high correlation between the expression of target genes and microRNAs; however these changes depended on the tissue types, the dose and time after xenobiotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. S. Ushakov
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics; Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University,
| | - T. S. Kalinina
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics; Novosibirsk State University
| | | | | | - L. F. Gulyaeva
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics; Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University; Novosibirsk State University
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Thakuri PS, Liu C, Luker GD, Tavana H. Biomaterials-Based Approaches to Tumor Spheroid and Organoid Modeling. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1700980. [PMID: 29205942 PMCID: PMC5867257 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Evolving understanding of structural and biological complexity of tumors has stimulated development of physiologically relevant tumor models for cancer research and drug discovery. A major motivation for developing new tumor models is to recreate the 3D environment of tumors and context-mediated functional regulation of cancer cells. Such models overcome many limitations of standard monolayer cancer cell cultures. Under defined culture conditions, cancer cells self-assemble into 3D constructs known as spheroids. Additionally, cancer cells may recapitulate steps in embryonic development to self-organize into 3D cultures known as organoids. Importantly, spheroids and organoids reproduce morphology and biologic properties of tumors, providing valuable new tools for research, drug discovery, and precision medicine in cancer. This Progress Report discusses uses of both natural and synthetic biomaterials to culture cancer cells as spheroids or organoids, specifically highlighting studies that demonstrate how these models recapitulate key properties of native tumors. The report concludes with the perspectives on the utility of these models and areas of need for future developments to more closely mimic pathologic events in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradip Shahi Thakuri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Chun Liu
- Departments of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Gary D Luker
- Departments of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Hossein Tavana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
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Stankevicius V, Kunigenas L, Stankunas E, Kuodyte K, Strainiene E, Cicenas J, Samalavicius NE, Suziedelis K. The expression of cancer stem cell markers in human colorectal carcinoma cells in a microenvironment dependent manner. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 484:726-733. [PMID: 28174005 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.01.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Numerous lines of evidence support the hierarchical model of cancer development and tumor initiation. According to the theory, cancer stem cells play a crucial role in the formation of the tumor and should be targeted for more effective anticancer treatment. However, cancer stem cells quickly loose their characteristics when propagated as 2D cell culture, indicating that the 2D cell culture does not provide the appropriate settings to maintain an in vivo environment. In this study we have investigated the expression of self-renewal, cancer stem cell and epithelial to mesenchymal transition markers after the transfer of human colorectal carcinoma cell DLD1 and HT29 lines from 2D cell cultures to scaffold-attached laminin rich extracellular matrix and scaffold-free multicellular spheroid 3D culture models. Based on the up-regulated expression of multipotency, CSC and EMT markers, our data suggests that human colorectal carcinoma cells grown in 3D exhibit enhanced cancer stem cell characteristics. Therefore, in order to design more efficient targeted therapies, we suggest that 3D cell culture models should be employed in cancer stem cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaidotas Stankevicius
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Linas Kunigenas
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Edvinas Stankunas
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Karolina Kuodyte
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Egle Strainiene
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Jonas Cicenas
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; MAP Kinase Resource, Bern, Switzerland; Proteomics Center, Institute of Biochemistry, Vilnius University Life Sciences Center, Sauletekio av. 7, Vilnius LT-10257, Lithuania.
| | - Narimantas E Samalavicius
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Kestutis Suziedelis
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu str. 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania; Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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