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Zhang Y, Wang C, Li JJ. Revisiting the role of mesenchymal stromal cells in cancer initiation, metastasis and immunosuppression. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:64. [PMID: 38951845 PMCID: PMC11218091 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00532-4] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) necessitates a thorough understanding of intricate cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) play a pivotal role in cancer generation, progression, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Within the TME, MSCs encompass both resident and circulating counterparts that dynamically communicate and actively participate in TME immunosurveillance and response to ICB. This review aims to reevaluate various facets of MSCs, including their potential self-transformation to function as cancer-initiating cells and contributions to the creation of a conducive environment for tumor proliferation and metastasis. Additionally, we explore the immune regulatory functions of tumor-associated MSCs (TA-MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) with analysis of potential connections between circulating and tissue-resident MSCs. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of MSC-immune cell communication and the heterogeneous cargo of tumor-educated versus naïve MSCs may unveil a new MSC-mediated immunosuppressive pathway that can be targeted to enhance cancer control by ICB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Zhang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Charles Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jian Jian Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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2
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Hazrati A, Malekpour K, Khorramdelazad H, Rajaei S, Hashemi SM. Therapeutic and immunomodulatory potentials of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and immune checkpoints related molecules. Biomark Res 2024; 12:35. [PMID: 38515166 PMCID: PMC10958918 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00580-2] [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: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are used in many studies due to their therapeutic potential, including their differentiative ability and immunomodulatory properties. These cells perform their therapeutic functions by using various mechanisms, such as the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, direct cell-to-cell contact, extracellular vesicles (EVs) production, and mitochondrial transfer. However, mechanisms related to immune checkpoints (ICPs) and their effect on the immunomodulatory ability of MSCs are less discussed. The main function of ICPs is to prevent the initiation of unwanted responses and to regulate the immune system responses to maintain the homeostasis of these responses. ICPs are produced by various types of immune system regulatory cells, and defects in their expression and function may be associated with excessive responses that can ultimately lead to autoimmunity. Also, by expressing different types of ICPs and their ligands (ICPLs), tumor cells prevent the formation and durability of immune responses, which leads to tumors' immune escape. ICPs and ICPLs can be produced by MSCs and affect immune cell responses both through their secretion into the microenvironment or direct cell-to-cell interaction. Pre-treatment of MSCs in inflammatory conditions leads to an increase in their therapeutic potential. In addition to the effect that inflammatory environments have on the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines by MSCs, they can increase the expression of various types of ICPLs. In this review, we discuss different types of ICPLs and ICPs expressed by MSCs and their effect on their immunomodulatory and therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hazrati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kosar Malekpour
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Samira Rajaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Ferrer-Diaz AI, Sinha G, Petryna A, Gonzalez-Bermejo R, Kenfack Y, Adetayo O, Patel SA, Hooda-Nehra A, Rameshwar P. Revealing role of epigenetic modifiers and DNA oxidation in cell-autonomous regulation of Cancer stem cells. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:119. [PMID: 38347590 PMCID: PMC10863086 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01512-1] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer cells (BCCs) can remain undetected for decades in dormancy. These quiescent cells are similar to cancer stem cells (CSCs); hence their ability to initiate tertiary metastasis. Dormancy can be regulated by components of the tissue microenvironment such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that release exosomes to dedifferentiate BCCs into CSCs. The exosomes cargo includes histone 3, lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases - KMT2B and KMT2D. A less studied mechanism of CSC maintenance is the process of cell-autonomous regulation, leading us to examine the roles for KMT2B and KMT2D in sustaining CSCs, and their potential as drug targets. METHODS Use of pharmacological inhibitor of H3K4 (WDR5-0103), knockdown (KD) of KMT2B or KMT2D in BCCs, real time PCR, western blot, response to chemotherapy, RNA-seq, and flow cytometry for circulating markers of CSCs and DNA hydroxylases in BC patients. In vivo studies using a dormancy model studied the effects of KMT2B/D to chemotherapy. RESULTS H3K4 methyltransferases sustain cell autonomous regulation of CSCs, impart chemoresistance, maintain cycling quiescence, and reduce migration and proliferation of BCCs. In vivo studies validated KMT2's role in dormancy and identified these genes as potential drug targets. DNA methylase (DNMT), predicted within a network with KMT2 to regulate CSCs, was determined to sustain circulating CSC-like in the blood of patients. CONCLUSION H3K4 methyltransferases and DNA methylation mediate cell autonomous regulation to sustain CSC. The findings provide crucial insights into epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying BC dormancy with KMT2B and KMT2D as potential therapeutic targets, along with standard care. Stem cell and epigenetic markers in circulating BCCs could monitor treatment response and this could be significant for long BC remission to partly address health disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra I Ferrer-Diaz
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Garima Sinha
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Andrew Petryna
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | - Yannick Kenfack
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | - Shyam A Patel
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Anupama Hooda-Nehra
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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4
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Marzban H, Pedram N, Amini P, Gholampour Y, Saranjam N, Moradi S, Rahvarian J. Immunobiology of cancer stem cells and their immunoevasion mechanisms. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:9559-9573. [PMID: 37776412 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08768-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) defined as a small fraction of cells within malignancies have been isolated from tumors with different histological origins with stem related characteristics such as self-replicating potential, tumorigenesis, and therapy resistance. The dynamic communication between CSCs and tumor microenvironment particularly immune cells orchestrates their fate and plasticity as well as the patient outcome. According to recent evidence, it has been reported that they harness different immunological pathways to escape immunosurveillance and express aberrantly immunomodulatory agents or decreased levels of factors forming antigen presenting machinery (APM), subsequently followed by impaired antigen presentation and suppressed immune detection. As effective therapies are expected to be able to eradicate CSCs, mechanistic understanding of such interactions can provide insights into causes of therapy failure particularly in immunotherapy. Also, it can contribute to enhance the practical interventions against CSCs and their immunomodulatory features resulting in CSCs eradication and improving patient clinical outcome. The aim of this review is to explain the present knowledge regarding the immunobiology of CSCs and the immunoevasion mechanisms they use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Havva Marzban
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, US.
| | - Nastaran Pedram
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parnian Amini
- Department of Veterinary Laboratory Science, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran
| | - Yasaman Gholampour
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Samira Moradi
- Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Jeiran Rahvarian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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5
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Pan L, Han J, Lin M. Targeting breast cancer stem cells directly to treat refractory breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:981247. [PMID: 37251931 PMCID: PMC10213424 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.981247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
For patients with refractory breast cancer (BC), integrative immunotherapies are emerging as a critical component of treatment. However, many patients remain unresponsive to treatment or relapse after a period. Different cells and mediators in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play important roles in the progression of BC, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are deemed the main cause of relapse. Their characteristics depend on their interactions with their microenvironment as well as on the inducing factors and elements in this environment. Strategies to modulate the immune system in the TME of BC that are aimed at reversing the suppressive networks within it and eradicating residual CSCs are, thus, essential for improving the current therapeutic efficacy of BC. This review focuses on the development of immunoresistance in BCs and discusses the strategies that can modulate the immune system and target breast CSCs directly to treat BC including immunotherapy with immune checkpoint blockades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Pan
- Wuhan Center for Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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6
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Huang Y, Wang H, Yue X, Li X. Bone serves as a transfer station for secondary dissemination of breast cancer. Bone Res 2023; 11:21. [PMID: 37085486 PMCID: PMC10121690 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-023-00260-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is responsible for the majority of deaths among breast cancer patients. Although parallel polyclonal seeding has been shown to contribute to organ-specific metastasis, in the past decade, horizontal cross-metastatic seeding (metastasis-to-metastasis spreading) has also been demonstrated as a pattern of distant metastasis to multiple sites. Bone, as the most frequent first destination of breast cancer metastasis, has been demonstrated to facilitate the secondary dissemination of breast cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the clinical and experimental evidence that bone is a transfer station for the secondary dissemination of breast cancer. We also discuss the regulatory mechanisms of the bone microenvironment in secondary seeding of breast cancer, focusing on stemness regulation, quiescence-proliferation equilibrium regulation, epigenetic reprogramming and immune escape of cancer cells. Furthermore, we highlight future research perspectives and strategies for preventing secondary dissemination from bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Hongli Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiaomin Yue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Nahas GR, Sherman LS, Sinha G, El Far MH, Petryna A, Munoz SM, Silverio KA, Shaker M, Neopane P, Mariotti V, Rameshwar P. Increased expression of musashi 1 on breast cancer cells has implication to understand dormancy and survival in bone marrow. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:3230-3248. [PMID: 36996499 PMCID: PMC10449290 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) stem cells (CSCs) resist treatment and can exist as dormant cells in tissues such as the bone marrow (BM). Years before clinical diagnosis, BC cells (BCCs) could migrate from the primary site where the BM niche cells facilitate dedifferentiation into CSCs. Additionally, dedifferentiation could occur by cell autonomous methods. Here we studied the role of Msi 1, a RNA-binding protein, Musashi I (Msi 1). We also analyzed its relationship with the T-cell inhibitory molecule programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in CSCs. PD-L1 is an immune checkpoint that is a target in immune therapy for cancers. Msi 1 can support BCC growth through stabilization of oncogenic transcripts and modulation of stem cell-related gene expression. We reported on a role for Msi 1 to maintain CSCs. This seemed to occur by the differentiation of CSCs to more matured BCCs. This correlated with increased transition from cycling quiescence and reduced expression of stem cell-linked genes. CSCs co-expressed Msi 1 and PD-L1. Msi 1 knockdown led to a significant decrease in CSCs with undetectable PD-L1. This study has implications for Msi 1 as a therapeutic target, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor. Such treatment could also prevent dedifferentiation of breast cancer to CSCs, and to reverse tumor dormancy. The proposed combined treatment might be appropriate for other solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- George R. Nahas
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Lauren S. Sherman
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Garima Sinha
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Markos H. El Far
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Andrew Petryna
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Steven M. Munoz
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Silverio
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Maran Shaker
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Pujan Neopane
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Veronica Mariotti
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Department of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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8
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Zhao L, Zhang K, He H, Yang Y, Li W, Liu T, Li J. The Relationship Between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Tumor Dormancy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:731393. [PMID: 34712663 PMCID: PMC8545891 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.731393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor dormancy, a state of tumor, is clinically undetectable and the outgrowth of dormant tumor cells into overt metastases is responsible for cancer-associated deaths. However, the dormancy-related molecular mechanism has not been clearly described. Some researchers have proposed that cancer stem cells (CSCs) and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) can be seen as progenitor cells of tumor dormancy, both of which can remain dormant in a non-permissive soil/niche. Nowadays, research interest in the cancer biology field is skyrocketing as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of regulating tumor dormancy, which will provide a unique therapeutic window to cure cancer. Although the influence of MSCs on tumor dormancy has been investigated in previous studies, there is no thorough review on the relationship between MSCs and tumor dormancy. In this paper, the root of tumor dormancy is analyzed and dormancy-related molecular mechanisms are summarized. With an emphasis on the role of the MSCs during tumor dormancy, new therapeutic strategies to prevent metastatic disease are proposed, whose clinical application potentials are discussed, and some challenges and prospects of the studies of tumor dormancy are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxian Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyu He
- Operating Theater and Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongping Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tongjun Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiannan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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9
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Marques HS, de Brito BB, da Silva FAF, Santos MLC, de Souza JCB, Correia TML, Lopes LW, Neres NSDM, Dórea RSDM, Dantas ACS, Morbeck LLB, Lima IS, de Almeida AA, Dias MRDJ, de Melo FF. Relationship between Th17 immune response and cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2021; 12:845-867. [PMID: 34733609 PMCID: PMC8546660 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v12.i10.845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and epidemiological projections predict growing cancer mortality rates in the next decades. Cancer has a close relationship with the immune system and, although Th17 cells are known to play roles in the immune response against microorganisms and in autoimmunity, studies have emphasized their roles in cancer pathogenesis. The Th17 immune response profile is involved in several types of cancer including urogenital, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin cancers. This type of immune response exerts pro and antitumor functions through several mechanisms, depending on the context of each tumor, including the protumor angiogenesis and exhaustion of T cells and the antitumor recruitment of T cells and neutrophils to the tumor microenvironment. Among other factors, the paradoxical behavior of Th17 cells in this setting has been attributed to its plasticity potential, which makes possible their conversion into other types of T cells such as Th17/Treg and Th17/Th1 cells. Interleukin (IL)-17 stands out among Th17-related cytokines since it modulates pathways and interacts with other cell profiles in the tumor microenvironment, which allow Th17 cells to prevail in tumors. Moreover, the IL-17 is able to mediate pro and antitumor processes that influence the development and progression of various cancers, being associated with variable clinical outcomes. The understanding of the relationship between the Th17 immune response and cancer as well as the singularities of carcinogenic processes in each type of tumor is crucial for the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Santos Marques
- Campus Vitória da Conquista, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45083-900, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Breno Bittencourt de Brito
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Luísa Cordeiro Santos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Júlio César Braga de Souza
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Thiago Macêdo Lopes Correia
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Luana Weber Lopes
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Nayara Silva de Macêdo Neres
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Anna Carolina Saúde Dantas
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Lorena Lôbo Brito Morbeck
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Iasmin Souza Lima
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Amanda Alves de Almeida
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Maiara Raulina de Jesus Dias
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Freire de Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
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10
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Becerril-Rico J, Alvarado-Ortiz E, Toledo-Guzmán ME, Pelayo R, Ortiz-Sánchez E. The cross talk between gastric cancer stem cells and the immune microenvironment: a tumor-promoting factor. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:498. [PMID: 34503571 PMCID: PMC8428093 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02562-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cross talk between cancer cells and the immune system is determinant for cancer progression. Emerging evidence demonstrates that GC characteristics such as metastasis, treatment resistance, and disease recurrence are associated with a tumor subpopulation called gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs). However, the specific interaction between GCSCs and the immune microenvironment is still under investigation. Although immune evasion has been well described for cancer stem cells (CSCs), recent studies show that GCSCs can also regulate the immune system and even benefit from it. This review will provide an overview of bidirectional interactions between CSCs and immune cells in GC, compiling relevant data about how CSCs can induce leukocyte reprogramming, resulting in pro-tumoral immune cells that orchestrate promotion of metastasis, chemoresistance, tumorigenicity, and even increase in number of cancer cells with stem properties. Some immune cells studied are tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), neutrophils, Th17 and T regulatory (Treg) cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as well as the signaling pathways involved in these pro-tumoral activities. Conversely, although there are cytotoxic leukocytes that can potentially eliminate GCSCs, we describe mechanisms for immune evasion in GCSCs and their clinical implications. Furthermore, we describe current available immunotherapy targeting GCSC-related markers as possible treatment for GC, discussing how the CSC-modified immune microenvironment can mitigate or inactivate these immunotherapies, limiting their effectiveness. Finally, we summarize key concepts and relevant evidence to understand the cross talk between GCSCs and the immune microenvironment as an important process for effective design of therapies against GCSCs that improve the outcome of patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Becerril-Rico
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Alvarado-Ortiz
- Programa de Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Mariel E Toledo-Guzmán
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rosana Pelayo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Delegación Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Ortiz-Sánchez
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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11
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NFĸB Targeting in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Support of Age-Linked Hematological Malignancies. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:2178-2192. [PMID: 34410592 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10235-6] [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: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can become dysfunctional in patients with hematological disorders. An unanswered question is whether age-linked disruption of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment is secondary to hematological dysfunction or vice versa. We therefore studied MSC function in patients with different hematological disorders and found decreased MHC-II except from one sample with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The patients' MSCs were able to exert veto properties except for AML MSCs. While the expression of MHC-II appeared to be irrelevant to the immune licensing of MSCs, AML MSCs lost their ability to differentiate upon contact and rather, continued to proliferate, forming foci-like structures. We performed a retrospective study that indicated a significant increase in MSCs, based on phenotype, for patients with BM fibrosis. This suggests a role for MSCs in patients transitioning to leukemia. NFĸB was important to MSC function and was shown to be a potential target to sensitize leukemic CD34+/CD38- cells to azacitidine. This correlated with their lack of allogeneic stimulation. This study identified NFĸB as a potential target for combination therapy to treat leukemia stem cells and showed that understanding MSC biology and immune response could be key in determining how the aging BM might support leukemia. More importantly, we show how MSCs might be involved in transitioning the high risk patient with hematological disorder to AML.
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12
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Sinha G, Ferrer AI, Ayer S, El-Far MH, Pamarthi SH, Naaldijk Y, Barak P, Sandiford OA, Bibber BM, Yehia G, Greco SJ, Jiang JG, Bryan M, Kumar R, Ponzio NM, Etchegaray JP, Rameshwar P. Specific N-cadherin-dependent pathways drive human breast cancer dormancy in bone marrow. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/7/e202000969. [PMID: 34078741 PMCID: PMC8200294 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The challenge for treating breast cancer (BC) is partly due to long-term dormancy driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs) capable of evading immune response and resist chemotherapy. BC cells show preference for the BM, resulting in poor prognosis. CSCs use connexin 43 (Cx43) to form gap junctional intercellular communication with BM niche cells, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, Cx43 is an unlikely target to reverse BC dormancy because of its role as a hematopoietic regulator. We found N-cadherin (CDH2) and its associated pathways as potential drug targets. CDH2, highly expressed in CSCs, interacts intracellularly with Cx43, colocalizes with Cx43 in BC cells within BM biopsies of patients, and is required for Cx43-mediated gap junctional intercellular communication with BM niche cells. Notably, CDH2 and anti-apoptotic pathways maintained BC dormancy. We thereby propose these pathways as potential pharmacological targets to prevent dormancy and chemosensitize resistant CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Sinha
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Alejandra I Ferrer
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Seda Ayer
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Markos H El-Far
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Sri Harika Pamarthi
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Yahaira Naaldijk
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Pradeep Barak
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,ONI, Linacre House, Oxford, UK
| | - Oleta A Sandiford
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Bernadette M Bibber
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Ghassan Yehia
- Genome Editing Shared Resource, Office of Research and Economic Development, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Steven J Greco
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jie-Gen Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,ONI, Linacre House, Oxford, UK
| | - Margarette Bryan
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala, India
| | - Nicholas M Ponzio
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,ONI, Linacre House, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Rutgers School of Graduate Studies at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA .,Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medicine School, Newark, NJ, USA
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13
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Terraza-Aguirre C, Campos-Mora M, Elizondo-Vega R, Contreras-López RA, Luz-Crawford P, Jorgensen C, Djouad F. Mechanisms behind the Immunoregulatory Dialogue between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Th17 Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071660. [PMID: 32664207 PMCID: PMC7408034 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit potent immunoregulatory abilities by interacting with cells of the adaptive and innate immune system. In vitro, MSCs inhibit the differentiation of T cells into T helper 17 (Th17) cells and repress their proliferation. In vivo, the administration of MSCs to treat various experimental inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and bowel disease showed promising therapeutic results. These therapeutic properties mediated by MSCs are associated with an attenuated immune response characterized by a reduced frequency of Th17 cells and the generation of regulatory T cells. In this manuscript, we review how MSC and Th17 cells interact, communicate, and exchange information through different ways such as cell-to-cell contact, secretion of soluble factors, and organelle transfer. Moreover, we discuss the consequences of this dynamic dialogue between MSC and Th17 well described by their phenotypic and functional plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Terraza-Aguirre
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, F-34090 Montpellier, France; (C.T.-A.); (R.A.C.-L.)
| | | | - Roberto Elizondo-Vega
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento de Biología Celular, Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile;
| | | | - Patricia Luz-Crawford
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile;
| | - Christian Jorgensen
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, F-34090 Montpellier, France; (C.T.-A.); (R.A.C.-L.)
- CHU Montpellier, F-34295 Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: (C.J.); (F.D.); Tel.: +33-(0)-4-67-33-77-96 (C.J.); +33-(0)-4-67-33-04-75 (F.D.)
| | - Farida Djouad
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, F-34090 Montpellier, France; (C.T.-A.); (R.A.C.-L.)
- Correspondence: (C.J.); (F.D.); Tel.: +33-(0)-4-67-33-77-96 (C.J.); +33-(0)-4-67-33-04-75 (F.D.)
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14
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Papait A, Stefani FR, Cargnoni A, Magatti M, Parolini O, Silini AR. The Multifaceted Roles of MSCs in the Tumor Microenvironment: Interactions With Immune Cells and Exploitation for Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:447. [PMID: 32637408 PMCID: PMC7317293 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and is composed of different cellular components, including immune cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). In this review, we will discuss MSCs in the TME setting and more specifically their interactions with immune cells and how they can both inhibit (immunosurveillance) and favor (immunoediting) tumor growth. We will also discuss how MSCs are used as a therapeutic strategy in cancer. Due to their unique immunomodulatory properties, MSCs isolated from perinatal tissues are intensely explored as therapeutic interventions in various inflammatory-based disorders with promising results. However, their therapeutic applications in cancer remain for the most part controversial and, importantly, the interactions between administered perinatal MSC and immune cells in the TME remain to be clearly defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Papait
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Anna Cargnoni
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marta Magatti
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ornella Parolini
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Rosa Silini
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
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15
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Comparative immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human breast tumor and normal breast adipose tissue. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1841-1854. [PMID: 32350594 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02567-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), one of the most important stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, play a major role in the immunomodulation and development of tumors. In contrast to immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow-derived MSCs, resident MSCs were not well studied in tumor. The aim of this study was to compare the immunomodulatory properties and protein secretion profiles of MSCs isolated from breast tumor (T-MSC) and normal breast adipose tissue (N-MSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS T-MSCs and N-MSCs were isolated by the explant culture method and characterized, and their immunomodulatory function was assessed on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) by evaluating the effects of MSC conditioned media on the proliferation and induction of some cytokines and regulatory T cells (Tregs) by BrdU assay, ELISA, and flow cytometry. In addition, we compared the secretion of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and Galectin-1. RESULTS T-MSCs showed a higher secretion of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IDO, and VEGF and lower secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared with N-MSCs. However, no significant difference was found in the secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL10), IL4, IL17, and Galectin-1 in T-MSCs and N-MSCs. The immunomodulatory effect of soluble factors on PBLs showed that T-MSCs, in contrast to N-MSCs, stimulate PBL proliferation. Importantly, the ability of T-MSCs to induce IL10, TGF-β, IFN-γ, and PGE2 was higher than that of N-MSCs. In addition, T-MSCs and N-MSCs exhibited no significant difference in Treg induction. CONCLUSION MSCs educated in stage II breast cancer and normal breast adipose tissue, although sharing a similar morphology and immunophenotype, exhibited a clearly different profile in some immunomodulatory functions and protein secretions.
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16
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Cole AJ, Fayomi AP, Anyaeche VI, Bai S, Buckanovich RJ. An evolving paradigm of cancer stem cell hierarchies: therapeutic implications. Theranostics 2020; 10:3083-3098. [PMID: 32194856 PMCID: PMC7053211 DOI: 10.7150/thno.41647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over a decade of research has confirmed the critical role of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. Increasingly, CSC hierarchies have begun to be defined with some recurring themes. This includes evidence that these hierarchies are 'flexible,' with both cell state transitions and dedifferentiation events possible. These findings pose therapeutic hurdles and opportunities. Here, we review cancer stem cell hierarchies and their interactions with the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the current therapeutic approaches designed to target CSC hierarchies and initial clinical trial results for CSC targeting agents. While cancer stem cell targeted therapies are still in their infancy, we are beginning to see encouraging results that suggest a positive outlook for CSC-targeting approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Cole
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Adetunji P Fayomi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Shoumei Bai
- Department of Internal Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ronald J Buckanovich
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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17
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Abstract
‘Dormancy’, in the context of carcinogenesis, is a biological phenomenon of decreased cancer cell proliferation and metabolism. In view of their ability to remain quiescent, cancer cells are able to avoid cell death induced by chemotherapeutic agents, and thereby give rise to tumor relapse at a later stage. Being a dynamic event, the dormant state is controlled by several epigenetic mechanisms, including the action of microRNAs. The present review highlights microRNAs that have been shown to be dysregulated in dormant cancer cells among different tumor types. MicroRNAs accomplish their control of cancer cell quiescence by targeting cell cycle regulators and signaling pathways involved in cell growth maintenance, including the AKT/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. MicroRNAs, as components of intercellular vesicles, enable interactions to occur between cancer cells and cells of the microenvironment, resulting in the cancer cells either acquiring the quiescent state or, oppositely, stimulating them to proliferate. Taken together, the evidence obtained to date has collectively confirmed the involvement of microRNAsin cancer cell dormancy. Modulation of the various processes may enable optimization of the treatment of metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana G Ruksha
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, P. Zeleznyaka str., 1, Krasnoyarsk, 660022 Russia
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18
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Rezalotfi A, Ahmadian E, Aazami H, Solgi G, Ebrahimi M. Gastric Cancer Stem Cells Effect on Th17/Treg Balance; A Bench to Beside Perspective. Front Oncol 2019; 9:226. [PMID: 31024835 PMCID: PMC6464032 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs), a small population among tumor cells, are responsible for tumor initiation, development, metastasis, and recurrence. They play a crucial role in immune evasion, immunomodulation, and impairment of effector immunity and believed to be emerged to change the balance of the immune system, importantly CD4+ T cells in the chronic inflamed tumor site. However, different subtypes of innate and adaptive immune cells are involved in the formation of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment, we would look at T cells in this study. Tumor microenvironment induces differentiation of CD4+ T cells into different subsets of T cells, mainly suppressive regulatory T cells (Treg), and T helper 17 (Th17) cells, although their exact role in tumor immunity is still under debate depending on tumor types and stages. Counterbalance between Th17 and Treg cells in the gastrointestinal system result in the homeostasis and normal function of the immune system, particularly mucosal immunity. Recent data demonstrated a high infiltration of Th17 and Treg cells into the gastric tumor site and proved that tumor microenvironment might disturb the balance between Th17 and Treg. It is possible to assume an association between activation of CSCs which contribute to metastasis in late stages, and the imbalanced Th17/Treg cells observed in advanced gastric cancer patients. This review intends to clarify the importance of gastric tumor microenvironment specifically CSCs in relation to Th17/Tregs balance firstly and to highlight the relevance of imbalanced Th17/Treg subsets in determining the stages and behavior of the tumor secondly. Finally, the present study suggests a clinical approach looking at the plasticity of T cells with a focus on Th17 as a promising dedicated arm in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaleh Rezalotfi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elmira Ahmadian
- Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, Department of Animal Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Aazami
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Students Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Solgi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- *Correspondence: Ghasem Solgi
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Marzieh Ebrahimi
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19
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Eltoukhy HS, Sinha G, Moore CA, Gergues M, Rameshwar P. Secretome within the bone marrow microenvironment: A basis for mesenchymal stem cell treatment and role in cancer dormancy. Biochimie 2018; 155:92-103. [PMID: 29859990 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The secretome produced by cells within the bone marrow is significant to homeostasis. The bone marrow, a well-studied organ, has multiple niches with distinct roles for supporting stem cell functions. Thus, an understanding of mediators involved in the regulation of stem cells could serve as a model for clinical problems and solutions such as tissue repair and regeneration. The exosome secretome of bone marrow stem cells is a developing area of research with respect to the regenerative potential by bone marrow cell, particularly the mesenchymal stem cells. The bone marrow niche regulates endogenous processes such as hematopoiesis but could also support the survival of tumors such as facilitating the cancer stem cells to exist in dormancy for decades. The bone marrow-derived secretome will be critical to future development of therapeutic strategies for oncologic diseases, in addition to regenerative medicine. This article discusses the importance for parallel studies to determine how the same secretome may compromise safety during the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussam S Eltoukhy
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Garima Sinha
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Caitlyn A Moore
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Marina Gergues
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Department of Medicine - Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
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20
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Evaluation of a developmental hierarchy for breast cancer cells to assess risk-based patient selection for targeted treatment. Sci Rep 2018; 8:367. [PMID: 29321622 PMCID: PMC5762675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18834-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study proposes that a novel developmental hierarchy of breast cancer (BC) cells (BCCs) could predict treatment response and outcome. The continued challenge to treat BC requires stratification of BCCs into distinct subsets. This would provide insights on how BCCs evade treatment and adapt dormancy for decades. We selected three subsets, based on the relative expression of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 A (Oct4A) and then analysed each with Affymetrix gene chip. Oct4A is a stem cell gene and would separate subsets based on maturation. Data analyses and gene validation identified three membrane proteins, TMEM98, GPR64 and FAT4. BCCs from cell lines and blood from BC patients were analysed for these three membrane proteins by flow cytometry, along with known markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs), CD44, CD24 and Oct4, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity and telomere length. A novel working hierarchy of BCCs was established with the most immature subset as CSCs. This group was further subdivided into long- and short-term CSCs. Analyses of 20 post-treatment blood indicated that circulating CSCs and early BC progenitors may be associated with recurrence or early death. These results suggest that the novel hierarchy may predict treatment response and prognosis.
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21
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Pathogenic Role of IL-17-Producing Immune Cells in Obesity, and Related Inflammatory Diseases. J Clin Med 2017; 6:jcm6070068. [PMID: 28708082 PMCID: PMC5532576 DOI: 10.3390/jcm6070068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation. Indeed, adipose tissues (AT) in obese individuals are the former site of progressive infiltration by pro-inflammatory immune cells, which together with increased inflammatory adipokine secretion induce adipocyte insulin resistance. IL-17-producing T (Th17) cells are part of obese AT infiltrating cells, and are likely to be promoted by adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, as previously reported by our team. Whereas Th17 cell are physiologically implicated in the neutralization of fungal and bacterial pathogens through activation of neutrophils, they may also play a pivotal role in the onset and/or progression of chronic inflammatory diseases, or cancer, in which obesity is recognized as a risk factor. In this review, we will highlight the pathogenic role of IL-17A producing cells in the mechanisms leading to inflammation in obesity and to progression of obesity-related inflammatory diseases.
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22
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Combinatorial Antitumor Effect of Rapamycin and β-Elemene in Follicular Thyroid Cancer Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:6723807. [PMID: 27274989 PMCID: PMC4870352 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6723807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background. mTOR signaling would be a promising target for thyroid cancer therapy. However, in clinical trials, objective response rate with mTOR inhibitor monotherapy in most cancer types was modest. A new focus on development of combinatorial strategies with rapalogs is increasing. Objective. Investigating the combinatorial antitumor effect of rapamycin and β-elemene in follicular thyroid cancer cells. Methods. MTT assay was used to determine the FTC-133 cell proliferation after culturing with rapamycin and/or β-elemene. To analyze their combinatorial effect, immunoblotting was performed to analyze the activation status of AKT. Moreover, β-elemene attenuated rapamycin-induced immunosuppression was tested in mice. Results. Combination of rapamycin and β-elemene exerted significant synergistic antiproliferative effects in FTC-133 cell lines in vitro, based on inhibiting the AKT feedback activation induced by rapamycin. In vivo, the β-elemene could attenuate rapamycin-induced immunosuppression via reversing imbalance of Treg/Th17, with the underlying mechanism needed to be declared. Conclusions. We demonstrate that the novel combination of mTOR inhibitor with β-elemene synergistically attenuates tumor cell growth in follicular thyroid cancer, which requires additional preclinical validation.
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23
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Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Stromal Evolution and Cancer Progression. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:4824573. [PMID: 26798356 PMCID: PMC4699086 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4824573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of cancer biology has mainly focused on malignant epithelial cancer cells, although tumors also contain a stromal compartment, which is composed of stem cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs), endothelial cells, immune cells, adipocytes, cytokines, and various types of macromolecules comprising the extracellular matrix (ECM). The tumor stroma develops gradually in response to the needs of epithelial cancer cells during malignant progression initiating from increased local vascular permeability and ending to remodeling of desmoplastic loosely vascularized stromal ECM. The constant bidirectional interaction of epithelial cancer cells with the surrounding microenvironment allows damaged stromal cell usage as a source of nutrients for cancer cells, maintains the stroma renewal thus resembling a wound that does not heal, and affects the characteristics of tumor mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Although MSCs have been shown to coordinate tumor cell growth, dormancy, migration, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance, recently they have been successfully used in treatment of hematopoietic malignancies to enhance the effect of total body irradiation-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy. Hence, targeting the stromal elements in combination with conventional chemotherapeutics and usage of MSCs to attenuate graft-versus-host disease may offer new strategies to overcome cancer treatment failure and relapse of the disease.
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