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Li Y, Li Q, Mu L, Hu Y, Yan C, Zhao H, Mi Y, Li X, Tao D, Qin J. Nuclear Softness Promotes the Metastatic Potential of Large-Nucleated Colorectal Cancer Cells via the ErbB4-Akt1-Lamin A/C Signaling Pathway. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:2748-2762. [PMID: 38725859 PMCID: PMC11077370 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.89481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal nuclear enlargement is a diagnostic and physical hallmark of malignant tumors. Large nuclei are positively associated with an increased risk of developing metastasis; however, a large nucleus is inevitably more resistant to cell migration due to its size. The present study demonstrated that the nuclear size of primary colorectal cancer (CRC) cells at an advanced stage was larger than cells at an early stage. In addition, the nuclei of CRC liver metastases were larger than those of the corresponding primary CRC tissues. CRC cells were sorted into large-nucleated cells (LNCs) and small-nucleated cells (SNCs). Purified LNCs exhibited greater constricted migratory and metastatic capacity than SNCs in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ErbB4 was highly expressed in LNCs, which phosphorylated lamin A/C at serine 22 via the ErbB4-Akt1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the level of phosphorylated lamin A/C was a negative determinant of nuclear stiffness. Taken together, CRC LNCs possessed greater constricted migratory and metastatic potential than SNCs due to ErbB4-Akt1-mediated lamin A/C phosphorylation and nuclear softening. These results may provide a potential treatment strategy for tumor metastasis by targeting nuclear stiffness in patients with cancer, particularly CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangkun Li
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lei Mu
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yibing Hu
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Chang Yan
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yulong Mi
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Deding Tao
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jichao Qin
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
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Zhang M, Fang Y, Fu X, Liu J, Liu Y, Zhu Z, Ni Y, Yao M, Pan Q, Cao W, Li Z, Dong C. Cancer-associated fibroblasts nurture LGR5 marked liver tumor-initiating cells and promote their tumor formation, growth, and metastasis. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18032-18049. [PMID: 37578396 PMCID: PMC10524013 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In liver cancer, leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) compartment represents an important tumor-initiating cell (TIC) population and served as a potential therapeutic target. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is a critical part of the tumor microenvironment, heavily influenced TIC function and fate. However, deeply investigations have been hindered by the lack of accurate preclinical models to investigate the interaction between CAFs and TIC. Organoids model have achieved major advancements as a precious research model for recapitulating the morphological aspects of organs, and thus also serving as a candidate model to investigate the mutual interaction between different cell types. Consequently, this study aimed to construct a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture organoid model of primary LGR5-expressing tumor stem cells from primary murine liver tumors with CAFs to investigate the impact of CAFs on LGR5 marked TICs in liver cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, both of the transgenic LGR5-diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)-GFP knock-in mice and transgenic Rosa26-mT mice developed primary liver tumors by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) administration. Tumor organoids and CAFs were generated from those primary liver cancer separately. Second, LGR5-expressing TICs organoid with CAFs were established ex vivo based on cell-cell contact or trans-well co-culture system, and the mutual influence between those two types of cells was further investigated. Subsequently, immunodeficient mouse-based xenograft model was further adopted to evaluate the influence of CAFs to LGR5 tumor stem cell, tumor formation, and metastasis. RESULTS The co-culture organoid model composed of murine liver tumor LGR5+ tumor-initiating cells and CAFs in 3D co-culture was successfully established, with the intention to investigate their mutual interaction. The existence of CAFs upon engrafting tumor organoids resulted in dramatic higher number of LGR5+ cells in the neoplasia when compared with engrafting tumor organoids alone. Furthermore, ex vivo culture of isolated LGR5+ cells from tumors of co-engrafted mice formed significantly larger size of organoids than mono-engrafted. Our results also indicated significantly larger size and number of formed organoids, when LGR5+ cells co-cultured with CAF in both cell-cell contact and paracrine signaling in vitro, comparing to LGR5+ cells alone. Furthermore, we found that specific knockout of LGR5 expressing cells suppressed CAF-mediated promotion of tumor formation, growth, and metastasis in the experimental mice model. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, in a 3D co-culture type of murine liver LGR5+ cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, we have demonstrated robust effects of CAFs in the promotion of LGR5 marked liver TICs. We also further revealed the influence of tumor microenvironment on stem cell-related therapy, suggesting the possibility of combing CAF-targeted and tumor stem cell targeted therapy in treating liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingna Zhang
- Department of OncologyPostgraduate Training Base of Jinzhou Medical University, Shanghai East HospitalShanghaiChina
| | - Yiqiao Fang
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xia Fu
- Department of Outpatients, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jiaye Liu
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated HospitalChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Zhounan Zhu
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yinyun Ni
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinic al Research Center for Geriatrics, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Menglin Yao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinic al Research Center for Geriatrics, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiuwei Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus Medical CenterRotterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Wanlu Cao
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chunyan Dong
- Department of OncologyPostgraduate Training Base of Jinzhou Medical University, Shanghai East HospitalShanghaiChina
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, School of Chemical Science and EngineeringEast Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
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Hapach LA, Wang W, Schwager SC, Pokhriyal D, Fabiano ED, Reinhart-King CA. Phenotypically sorted highly and weakly migratory triple negative breast cancer cells exhibit migratory and metastatic commensalism. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:102. [PMID: 37649089 PMCID: PMC10468890 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01696-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intratumor heterogeneity is a well-established hallmark of cancer that impedes cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment. Previously, we phenotypically sorted human breast cancer cells based on migratory potential. When injected into mice, highly migratory cells were weakly metastatic and weakly migratory cells were highly metastatic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these weakly and highly migratory cells interact with each other in vitro or in vivo. METHODS To assess the relationship between heterogeneity in cancer cell migration and metastatic fitness, MDA-MB-231 and SUM159PT triple negative breast cancer cells were phenotypically sorted into highly migratory and weakly migratory subpopulations and assayed separately and in a 1:1 mixture in vitro and in vivo for metastatic behaviors. Unpaired, two-tailed Student's t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, ordinary, one-way ANOVAs, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were performed as appropriate with p < 0.05 as the cutoff for statistical significance. RESULTS When highly and weakly migratory cells are co-seeded in mixed spheroids, the weakly migratory cells migrated farther than weakly migratory only spheroids. In mixed spheroids, leader-follower behavior occurred with highly migratory cells leading the weakly migratory cells in migration strands. When cell suspensions of highly migratory, weakly migratory, or a 1:1 mixture of both subpopulations were injected orthotopically into mice, both the mixed cell suspensions and weakly migratory cells showed significant distal metastasis, but the highly migratory cells did not metastasize significantly to any location. Notably, significantly more distal metastasis was observed in mice injected with the 1:1 mixture compared to either subpopulation alone. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that weakly migratory cells interact with highly migratory cells in a commensal fashion resulting in increased migration and metastasis. Together, these findings indicate that cancer cell subpopulation migration ability does not correlate with metastatic potential and that cooperation between highly migratory and weakly migratory subpopulations can enhance overall metastatic fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Hapach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Samantha C Schwager
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Devika Pokhriyal
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Emily D Fabiano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
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Kamal M, Wang YJ, Plummer S, Dickerson A, Yu M. An Image-Based Identification of Aggressive Breast Cancer Circulating Tumor Cell Subtypes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2669. [PMID: 37345005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102669] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Using previously established CTC lines from breast cancer patients, we identified different morphometric subgroups of CTCs with one of them having the highest tumorigenic potential in vivo despite the slowest cell proliferation in vitro. This subgroup represents 32% of all cells and contains cells with small cell volume, large nucleus to cell, dense nuclear areas to the nucleus, mitochondria to cell volume ratios and rough texture of cell membrane and termed "Small cell, Large mitochondria, Rough membrane" (SLR). RNA-seq analyses showed that the SLR group is enriched in pathways and cellular processes related to DNA replication, DNA repair and metabolism. SLR upregulated genes are associated with poor survival in patients with ER+ breast cancer based on the KM Plotter database. The high tumorigenic potential, slow proliferation, and enriched DNA replication/repair pathways suggest that the SLR subtype is associated with stemness properties. Our new findings provide a simple image-based identification of CTC subpopulations with elevated aggressiveness, which is expected to provide a more accurate prediction of patient survival and therapy response than total CTC numbers. The detection of morphometric and transcriptomic profiles related to the SLR subgroup of CTCs also opens opportunities for potential targeted cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kamal
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Benha, Benha 13518, Egypt
| | - Yiru Jess Wang
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sarai Plummer
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Amber Dickerson
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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5
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Liu S, Zhao H, Hu Y, Yan C, Mi Y, Li X, Tao D, Qin J. Lactate promotes metastasis of normoxic colorectal cancer stem cells through PGC-1α-mediated oxidative phosphorylation. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:651. [PMID: 35896535 PMCID: PMC9329320 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05111-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Uneven oxygen supply in solid tumors leads to hypoxic and normoxic regions. Hypoxic cells exhibit increased secretion of lactate, which creates an acidic tumor microenvironment (TME). This acidic TME is positively associated with tumor metastasis. Despite the increased metastatic capacity of hypoxic cells, they are located relatively further away from the blood vessels and have limited access to the circulatory system. Studies have shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are enriched for tumor metastasis-initiating cells and generally undergo aerobic respiration, which could be enhanced by lactate. We therefore hypothesized that TME-derived lactate may promote the metastasis of normoxic CSCs. In the present study, the abundance of hypoxic and normoxic CSCs was analyzed in primary CRC tumors. It was found that the proportion of normoxic CSCs was positively associated with tumor stage. Using two human CRC cell lines, LoVo and SW480, and a patient-derived xenograft (XhCRC), it was found that treatment with lactate promoted normoxic CSC metastasis. Metabolism analysis indicated that, upon treatment with lactate, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity in normoxic CSCs was enhanced, whereas hypoxic CSCs were rarely altered. At the molecular level, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of lactate oxidation, was found to be elevated in normoxic CSCs. Furthermore, PGC-1α knockdown markedly reduced the metastatic potential of normoxic CSCs. Notably, both the PGC-1α-mediated OXPHOS activity and metastatic potential were impaired when hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was activated in normoxic CSCs. Together, these findings provide a therapeutic strategy against tumor metastasis through the targeting of PGC-1α and, thus, the suppression of lactate-feeding OXPHOS in normoxic CSCs may improve the therapeutic benefit of patients with cancer, particularly CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yibing Hu
- grid.440601.70000 0004 1798 0578Department of Breast Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang Yan
- grid.440601.70000 0004 1798 0578Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yulong Mi
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Deding Tao
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jichao Qin
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Hu Y, Mi Y, Mukherjee P, Pan Y. A new method of cryopreserving colorectal carcinoma cells for patient derived xenograft model generation. Cryobiology 2020; 96:45-49. [PMID: 32861699 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Patient derived xenograft (PDX) models provide an efficient way to study anti-tumor drug efficacy. In this respect, it is essential to study the optimal method needed to cryopreserve the starting cells obtained from tumor samples for PDX model generation. Cryopreservation of cells prior to xenografting is necessary for cross-verification of results obtained by xenografting and also for practical planning of experiments. In the present work, we studied the cryopreservation of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells isolated from patient tumor samples for generating their patient derived xenograft models. CRC therapeutics study is essential for early stage intervention and treatment of the disease. CRC cell lines do not ideally depict the molecular characteristics of patient CRC tumor samples. This necessitates the generation of CRC PDX models for drug discovery. We show that CRC cells isolated from patient tumor samples have comparable recovery, viability and growth with both conventional cryopreservation methods as well as Fibulas BioFlash Drive™. However, xenograft tumor formation was much more effective with Fibulas BioFlash Drive™ cryopreserved cells than with cells cryopreserved with conventional methods. Therefore, we put forward an effective way to cryopreserve primary cells obtained from patient tumor samples for PDX model generation in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Hu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yulong Mi
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Pooja Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94704, United States; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94704, United States.
| | - Ying Pan
- CITRIS and the Banatao Institute,330 Sutardja Dai Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1764, United States.
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Hypoxic colorectal cancer cells promote metastasis of normoxic cancer cells depending on IL-8/p65 signaling pathway. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:610. [PMID: 32737283 PMCID: PMC7395770 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02797-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is an important feature of malignant tumors, and cell subpopulations may positively interact to facilitate tumor progression. Studies have shown that hypoxic cancer cells possess enhanced metastatic capacity. However, it is still unclear whether hypoxic cancer cells may promote the metastasis of normoxic cells, which have greater access to the blood circulation. When cocultured with hypoxic CRC cells or treated with hypoxic CRC cell-derived CM, normoxic CRC cells possessed increased metastatic capacity. Furthermore, hypoxic CRC cell-derived CM was enriched in interleukin 8. Hypoxic CRC cell-derived CM and recombinant human IL-8 both enhanced the metastatic capacity of normoxic cells by increasing the phosphorylation of p65 and then by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Knockdown of IL-8 in hypoxic CRC cells or the use of an anti-IL-8 antibody attenuated the CM- or rhIL-8-induced prometastatic capacity of normoxic CRC cells. Inhibition or knockdown of p65 abrogated IL-8-induced prometastatic effects. Most importantly, hypoxia-treated xenograft tumors enhanced the metastasis of normoxic CRC cells. Hypoxic CRC cell-derived IL-8 promotes the metastatic capacity of normoxic cells, and novel therapies targeting the positive interactions between hypoxic and normoxic cells should be developed.
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8
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Thompson BJ. YAP/TAZ: Drivers of Tumor Growth, Metastasis, and Resistance to Therapy. Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900162. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Barry J. Thompson
- EMBL AustraliaJohn Curtin School of Medical ResearchThe Australian National University 131 Garran Rd, Acton 2602 Canberra ACT Australia
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9
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Sureban SM, Berahovich R, Zhou H, Xu S, Wu L, Ding K, May R, Qu D, Bannerman-Menson E, Golubovskaya V, Houchen CW. DCLK1 Monoclonal Antibody-Based CAR-T Cells as a Novel Treatment Strategy against Human Colorectal Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010054. [PMID: 31878090 PMCID: PMC7016951 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cells) immunotherapy is effective in many hematological cancers; however, efficacy in solid tumors is disappointing. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) labels tumor stem cells (TSCs) in genetic mouse models of colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we describe a novel CAR-T targeting DCLK1 (CBT-511; with our proprietary DCLK1 single-chain antibody variable fragment) as a treatment strategy to eradicate CRC TSCs. The cell surface expression of DCLK1 and cytotoxicity of CBT-511 were assessed in CRC cells (HT29, HCT116, and LoVo). LoVo-derived tumor xenografts in NOD Scid gamma (NSGTM)mice were treated with CBT-511 or mock CAR-T cells. Adherent CRC cells express surface DCLK1 (two-dimensional, 2D). A 4.5-fold increase in surface DCLK1 was observed when HT29 cells were grown as spheroids (three-dimensional, 3D). CBT-511 induced cytotoxicity (2D; p < 0.0001), and increased Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release in CRC cells (2D) compared to mock CAR-T (p < 0.0001). Moreover, an even greater increase in IFN-γ release was observed when cells were grown in 3D. CBT-511 reduced tumor growth by approximately 50 percent compared to mock CAR-T. These data suggest that CRC cells with increased clonogenic capacity express increased surface DCLK1. A DCLK1-targeted CAR-T can induce cytotoxicity in vitro and inhibit xenograft growth in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sripathi M. Sureban
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
- Correspondence: (S.M.S.); (C.W.H.); Tel.: +1-405-271-5428 (S.M.S. & C.W.H.)
| | - Robert Berahovich
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Hua Zhou
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Shirley Xu
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Lijun Wu
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Kai Ding
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
| | - Randal May
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
| | - Dongfeng Qu
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
| | | | - Vita Golubovskaya
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Courtney W. Houchen
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
- Correspondence: (S.M.S.); (C.W.H.); Tel.: +1-405-271-5428 (S.M.S. & C.W.H.)
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Hu YB, Yan C, Mu L, Mi YL, Zhao H, Hu H, Li XL, Tao DD, Wu YQ, Gong JP, Qin JC. Exosomal Wnt-induced dedifferentiation of colorectal cancer cells contributes to chemotherapy resistance. Oncogene 2019; 38:1951-1965. [PMID: 30390075 PMCID: PMC6756234 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0557-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are inherently resistant to chemotherapy, and CSCs in chemotherapy-failed recurrent tumors are enriched; however, the cellular origin of chemotherapy-induced CSC enrichment remains unclear. Communication with stromal fibroblasts may induce cancer cell dedifferentiation into CSCs through secreted factors. We recently demonstrated that fibroblast-derived exosomes promote chemoresistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we report that fibroblasts confer CRC chemoresistance via exosome-induced reprogramming (dedifferentiation) of bulk CRC cells to phenotypic and functional CSCs. At the molecular level, we provided evidence that the major reprogramming regulators in fibroblast-exosomes are Wnts. Exosomal Wnts were found to increase Wnt activity and drug resistance in differentiated CRC cells, and inhibiting Wnt release diminished this effect in vitro and in vivo. Together, our results indicate that exosomal Wnts derived from fibroblasts could induce the dedifferentiation of cancer cells to promote chemoresistance in CRC, and suggest that interfering with exosomal Wnt signaling may help to improve chemosensitivity and the therapeutic window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-B Hu
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - C Yan
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - L Mu
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Y-L Mi
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - H Zhao
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - H Hu
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - X-L Li
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - D-D Tao
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Y-Q Wu
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - J-P Gong
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - J-C Qin
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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11
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Chen YA, Lu CY, Cheng TY, Pan SH, Chen HF, Chang NS. WW Domain-Containing Proteins YAP and TAZ in the Hippo Pathway as Key Regulators in Stemness Maintenance, Tissue Homeostasis, and Tumorigenesis. Front Oncol 2019; 9:60. [PMID: 30805310 PMCID: PMC6378284 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is a conserved signaling pathway originally defined in Drosophila melanogaster two decades ago. Deregulation of the Hippo pathway leads to significant overgrowth in phenotypes and ultimately initiation of tumorigenesis in various tissues. The major WW domain proteins in the Hippo pathway are YAP and TAZ, which regulate embryonic development, organ growth, tissue regeneration, stem cell pluripotency, and tumorigenesis. Recent reports reveal the novel roles of YAP/TAZ in establishing the precise balance of stem cell niches, promoting the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and provoking signals for regeneration and cancer initiation. Activation of YAP/TAZ, for example, results in the expansion of progenitor cells, which promotes regeneration after tissue damage. YAP is highly expressed in self-renewing pluripotent stem cells. Overexpression of YAP halts stem cell differentiation and yet maintains the inherent stem cell properties. A success in reprograming iPSCs by the transfection of cells with Oct3/4, Sox2, and Yap expression constructs has recently been shown. In this review, we update the current knowledge and the latest progress in the WW domain proteins of the Hippo pathway in relevance to stem cell biology, and provide a thorough understanding in the tissue homeostasis and identification of potential targets to block tumor development. We also provide the regulatory role of tumor suppressor WWOX in the upstream of TGF-β, Hyal-2, and Wnt signaling that cross talks with the Hippo pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-An Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Lu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tian-You Cheng
- Department of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Hua Pan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Fu Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY, United States.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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12
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Zhao H, Yan C, Hu Y, Mu L, Huang K, Li Q, Li X, Tao D, Qin J. Sphere‑forming assay vs. organoid culture: Determining long‑term stemness and the chemoresistant capacity of primary colorectal cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2019; 54:893-904. [PMID: 30664193 PMCID: PMC6365025 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cultures are indispensable for capturing tumor heterogeneity in colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro. Although 3D cultures (such as sphere-forming assay and organoid culture) can partially preserve the morphological and molecular characteristics of primary CRC, whether these 3D cultures maintain the long-term stemness of cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains largely unknown. In the present study, spheres and organoids were generated side by side using individual primary CRC specimens, then respectively processed as serial passages. The results revealed that during serial passages, the percentage of CSCs (such as cluster of differentiation-133+ and Wnt+ cells) in organoids and the tumor-initiating capacity of organoid-derived cells were constant, while they gradually increased in the sphere-derived cells. Furthermore, during serial passages, resistance to chemotherapeutic agents (including 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin) in sphere- and organoid-derived cells was evaluated. The results indicated that the percentage of chemoresistant cells was constant in serial organoid cultures; however, it gradually increased in the serial sphere-forming assays. Taken together, the results of the present study comprehensively demonstrate that, with regard to long-term culture in vitro, organoid culture may be useful in maintaining tumor heterogeneity and the levels of chemoresistant cells, while the sphere formation assay enriches for CSCs and chemoresistant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Chang Yan
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Yibing Hu
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Lei Mu
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Kaiyu Huang
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Qiling Li
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Deding Tao
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Jichao Qin
- Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
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13
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Warren JSA, Xiao Y, Lamar JM. YAP/TAZ Activation as a Target for Treating Metastatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10040115. [PMID: 29642615 PMCID: PMC5923370 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10040115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and Transcriptional Co-activator with PDZ-binding Motif (TAZ) have both emerged as important drivers of cancer progression and metastasis. YAP and TAZ are often upregulated or nuclear localized in aggressive human cancers. There is abundant experimental evidence demonstrating that YAP or TAZ activation promotes cancer formation, tumor progression, and metastasis. In this review we summarize the evidence linking YAP/TAZ activation to metastasis, and discuss the roles of YAP and TAZ during each step of the metastatic cascade. Collectively, this evidence strongly suggests that inappropriate YAP or TAZ activity plays a causal role in cancer, and that targeting aberrant YAP/TAZ activation is a promising strategy for the treatment of metastatic disease. To this end, we also discuss several potential strategies for inhibiting YAP/TAZ activation in cancer and the challenges each strategy poses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine S A Warren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - Yuxuan Xiao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - John M Lamar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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