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Dupuy J, Cogo E, Fouché E, Guéraud F, Pierre F, Plaisancié P. Epithelial-mesenchymal interaction protects normal colonocytes from 4-HNE-induced phenotypic transformation. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302932. [PMID: 38669265 PMCID: PMC11051638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent studies have shown that epithelial-stromal interactions could play a role in the development of colorectal cancer. Here, we investigated the role of fibroblasts in the transformation of normal colonocytes induced by 4-HNE. METHODS Normal Co colonocytes and nF fibroblasts from the same mouse colon were exposed, in monoculture (m) or coculture (c), to 4-HNE (5 μM) twice weekly for 3 weeks. Gene expression was then analysed and the ability of Co colonocytes to grow in anchorage-independent conditions was tested in soft agar. Fibroblasts previously treated or not with 4-HNE were also seeded in culture inserts positioned above the agar layers to allow paracrine exchanges with colonocytes. RESULTS First, 60% of the genes studied were modulated by coculture in Co colonocytes, with notably increased expression of BMP receptors. Furthermore, while 4-HNE increased the ability of monoculture-treated Co colonocytes to form colonies, this effect was not observed in coculture-treated Co colonocytes. Adding a selective BMPR1 inhibitor during the treatment phase abolished the protective effect of coculture. Conversely, addition of a BMP4 agonist to the medium of monoculture-treated Co colonocytes prevented phenotypic transformation by 4-HNE. Second, the presence of nF(m)-HNE fibroblasts during the soft agar assay increased the number and size of Co(m) colonocyte colonies, regardless of whether these cells had been previously treated with 4-HNE in monoculture. For soft agar assays performed with nF(c) and Co(c) cells initially treated in coculture, only the reassociation between Co(c)-HNE and nF(c)-HNE resulted in a small increase in the number of colonies. CONCLUSIONS During the exposure phase, the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction protected colonocytes from 4-HNE-induced phenotypic transformation via activation of the BMP pathway. This intercellular dialogue also limited the ability of fibroblasts to subsequently promote colonocyte-anchorage-independent growth. In contrast, fibroblasts pre-exposed to 4-HNE in monoculture strongly increased the ability of Co(m) colonocytes to form colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Dupuy
- Toxalim UMR1331 (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Toulouse University, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Emma Cogo
- Toxalim UMR1331 (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Toulouse University, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Edwin Fouché
- Toxalim UMR1331 (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Toulouse University, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Françoise Guéraud
- Toxalim UMR1331 (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Toulouse University, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Fabrice Pierre
- Toxalim UMR1331 (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Toulouse University, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Pascale Plaisancié
- Toxalim UMR1331 (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Toulouse University, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
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Henrich LM, Greimelmaier K, Wessolly M, Klopp NA, Mairinger E, Krause Y, Berger S, Wohlschlaeger J, Schildhaus HU, Baba HA, Mairinger FD, Borchert S. The Impact of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts on the Biology and Progression of Colorectal Carcinomas. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:209. [PMID: 38397199 PMCID: PMC10888097 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of CRC's tumour microenvironment (TME), but their biological background and interplay with the TME remain poorly understood. This study investigates CAF biology and its impact on CRC progression. (2) The cohort comprises 155 cases, including CRC, with diverse localizations, adenomas, inflammations, and controls. Digital gene expression analysis examines genes associated with signalling pathways (MAPK, PI3K/Akt, TGF-β, WNT, p53), while next-generation sequencing (NGS) determines CRC mutational profiles. Immunohistochemical FAP scoring assesses CAF density and activity. (3) FAP expression is found in 81 of 150 samples, prevalent in CRC (98.4%), adenomas (27.5%), and inflammatory disease (38.9%). Several key genes show significant associations with FAP-positive fibroblasts. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) highlights PI3K and MAPK pathway enrichment alongside the activation of immune response pathways like natural killer (NK)-cell-mediated cytotoxicity via CAFs. (4) The findings suggest an interplay between CAFs and cancer cells, influencing growth, invasiveness, angiogenesis, and immunogenicity. Notably, TGF-β, CDKs, and the Wnt pathway are affected. In conclusion, CAFs play a significant role in CRC and impact the TME throughout development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Maria Henrich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Kristina Greimelmaier
- Department of Pathology, Diakonissenkrankenhaus Flensburg, 24939 Flensburg, Germany (J.W.)
| | - Michael Wessolly
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Nick Alexander Klopp
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Elena Mairinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Yvonne Krause
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Sophia Berger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Jeremias Wohlschlaeger
- Department of Pathology, Diakonissenkrankenhaus Flensburg, 24939 Flensburg, Germany (J.W.)
| | - Hans-Ulrich Schildhaus
- Targos-A Discovery Life Sciences Company, Germaniastraße 7, 34119 Kassel, Germany;
- Institute of Pathology Nordhessen, Germaniastraße 7, 34119 Kassel, Germany
| | - Hideo Andreas Baba
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Fabian Dominik Mairinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Sabrina Borchert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.M.H.); (M.W.); (N.A.K.); (E.M.); (H.A.B.); (S.B.)
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Wang J, Xu C, Xu H, Wang R, Su T, Zhao S. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Roles of Fibroblasts During Intestinal Injury and Repair in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:6073-6086. [PMID: 38107381 PMCID: PMC10725699 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s436511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To explore the molecular mechanisms of intestinal injury and treatment by analyzing changes in cellular heterogeneity and composition in rat ileal tissue during injury and treatment processes. Methods We constructed a rat model of SAP and evaluated treatment with an injected of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor (JZL184) solution using three experimental groups: healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats injected with vehicle (CON), male SD SAP model rats injected with vehicle (SAP), and male SAP rats injected with JZL184. We obtained and prepared a single-cell suspension of ileal tissue of each rat for single-cell transcriptome sequencing. Results This project classified changes in cellular heterogeneity and composition in rat ileal tissue during SAP-induced intestinal injury and MAGL treatment. We found that the number of fibroblast clusters was decreased in the SAP group relative to the CON group, and increased after JZL184 treatment. Further analysis of differences in gene expression between cell clusters in each group reveals that fibroblasts had the greatest number of differentially expressed genes. Most notably, expression of genes involved in communication between cells was found to vary during SAP-induced intestinal injury and JZL184 treatment. Among these changes, the degree of difference in expression of genes involved in communication between fibroblasts and other cells was the highest, indicating that fibroblasts in rat ileal tissue affect intestinal injury and repair through cell-to-cell communication. In addition, our results reveal that differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins in fibroblasts may affect their functions in intestinal injury and treatment by affecting the expression of genes regulating communication between cells. Conclusion These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the interactions between fibroblasts and other cells in the context of intestinal injury, providing valuable insights for further exploring molecular mechanisms and insight for discovering new treatment targets and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changqin Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruixia Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tong Su
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shulei Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People’s Republic of China
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Villéger R, Chulkina M, Mifflin RC, Powell DW, Pinchuk IV. Disruption of retinol-mediated IL-6 expression in colon cancer-associated fibroblasts: new perspectives on the role of vitamin A metabolism. Oncotarget 2023; 14:377-381. [PMID: 37185128 PMCID: PMC10132993 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Stromal myo-/fibroblasts (MFs) account for up to 30% of lamina propria cells in the normal human colon and their number is dramatically increased in colon cancer (CRC). Fibroblasts from cancers, also known as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), differ from normal colonic MF (N-MFs) and support tumor-promoting inflammation, in part due to increased IL-6 secretion. In this editorial, we highlight recent data obtained regarding IL-6 regulation in colorectal cancer CAFs through vitamin A (retinol) metabolism, discuss current limitations in our understanding of the mechanisms leading to the CAF pro-inflammatory phenotype, and discuss potential approaches to target CAF retinoid metabolism during CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Villéger
- Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, France
| | - Marina Chulkina
- Department of Medicine at PennState Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Randy C Mifflin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Don W Powell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Translational Sciences, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Irina V Pinchuk
- Department of Medicine at PennState Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
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Dijk W, Villa C, Benedé S, Vassilopoulou E, Mafra I, Garrido-Arandia M, Martínez Blanco M, Bouchaud G, Hoppenbrouwers T, Bavaro SL, Giblin L, Knipping K, Castro AM, Delgado S, Costa J, Bastiaan-Net S. Critical features of an in vitro intestinal absorption model to study the first key aspects underlying food allergen sensitization. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2023; 22:971-1005. [PMID: 36546415 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
New types of protein sources will enter our diet in a near future, reinforcing the need for a straightforward in vitro (cell-based) screening model to test and predict the safety of these novel proteins, in particular their potential risk for de novo allergic sensitization. The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for allergen sensitization describes the current knowledge of key events underlying the complex cellular interactions that proceed allergic food sensitization. Currently, there is no consensus on the in vitro model to study the intestinal translocation of proteins as well as the epithelial activation, which comprise the first molecular initiation events (ME1-3) and the first key event of the AOP, respectively. As members of INFOGEST, we have highlighted several critical features that should be considered for any proposed in vitro model to study epithelial protein transport in the context of allergic sensitization. In addition, we defined which intestinal cell types are indispensable in a consensus model of the first steps of the AOP, and which cell types are optional or desired when there is the possibility to create a more complex cell model. A model of these first key aspects of the AOP can be used to study the gut epithelial translocation behavior of known hypo- and hyperallergens, juxtaposed to the transport behavior of novel proteins as a first screen for risk management of dietary proteins. Indeed, this disquisition forms a basis for the development of a future consensus model of the allergic sensitization cascade, comprising also the other key events (KE2-5).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caterina Villa
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Benedé
- Department of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL, CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilia Vassilopoulou
- Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Isabel Mafra
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - María Garrido-Arandia
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Martínez Blanco
- Department of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL, CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Tamara Hoppenbrouwers
- Food Quality & Design, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Food and Biobased Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simona Lucia Bavaro
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council (Ispa-Cnr), Campus Universitario Ecotekne, Lecce, Italy
| | - Linda Giblin
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | | | - Ana Maria Castro
- Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Spain
- Functionality and Ecology of Beneficial Microbes, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Susana Delgado
- Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPLA-CSIC), Villaviciosa, Spain
- Functionality and Ecology of Beneficial Microbes, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Joana Costa
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Shanna Bastiaan-Net
- Wageningen Food and Biobased Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Study of the colonic epithelial-mesenchymal dialogue through establishment of two activated or not mesenchymal cell lines: Activated and resting ones differentially modulate colonocytes in co-culture. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273858. [PMID: 36040985 PMCID: PMC9426876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous and rapid renewal of the colonic epithelium is crucial to resist the plethora of luminal deleterious agents. Subepithelial fibroblasts contribute to this turnover by regulating epithelial proliferation and differentiation. However, when intestinal homeostasis is disturbed, fibroblasts can acquire an activated phenotype and play a major role in the progression of intestinal pathologies. To evaluate the involvement of fibroblasts in the regulation of colonocytes under homeostatic or pathological conditions, we established resting and activated conditionally immortalized fibroblast cell lines (nF and mF) from mouse colonic mucosa. We then studied the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions between activated or resting fibroblasts and the normal mouse colonocytes (Co) using a co-culture model. Both fibroblastic cell lines were characterized by RT-qPCR, western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Our results showed that nF and mF cells were positive for fibroblastic markers such as vimentin and collagen 1, and negative for cytokeratin 18 and E-cadherin, attesting to their fibroblastic type. They also expressed proteins characteristic of the epithelial stem cell niche such as Grem1, CD90 or Wnt5a. Only rare nF fibroblasts were positive for α-SMA, whereas all mF fibroblasts strongly expressed this marker, supporting that mF cells were activated fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. In coculture, nF fibroblasts and Co cells strongly interacted via paracrine exchanges resulting in BMP4 production in nF fibroblasts, activation of BMP signaling in Co colonocytes, and decreased growth of colonocytes. Activated-type mF fibroblasts did not exert the same effects on Co cells, allowing colonocytes free to proliferate. In conclusion, these two colonic fibroblast lines, associated with Co cells in coculture, should allow to better understand the role of mesenchymal cells in the preservation of homeostasis and the development of intestinal pathologies.
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Facile preparation of aqueous-soluble fluorescent polyethylene glycol functionalized carbon dots from palm waste by one-pot hydrothermal carbonization for colon cancer nanotheranostics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10550. [PMID: 35732805 PMCID: PMC9217983 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14704-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs) are categorized as an emerging class of zero-dimension nanomaterials having high biocompatibility, photoluminescence, tunable surface, and hydrophilic property. CDs, therefore, are currently of interest for bio-imaging and nano-medicine applications. In this work, polyethylene glycol functionalized CDs (CD-PEG) were prepared from oil palm empty fruit bunch by a one-pot hydrothermal technique. PEG was chosen as a passivating agent for the enhancement of functionality and photoluminescence properties of CDs. To prepare the CDs-PEG, the effects of temperature, time, and concentration of PEG were investigated on the properties of CDs. The as-prepared CDs-PEG were characterized by several techniques including dynamic light scattering, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis. The as-prepared CDs under hydrothermal condition at 220 °C for 6 h had spherical morphology with an average diameter of 4.47 nm. Upon modification, CDs-PEG were photo-responsive with excellent photoluminescence property. The CDs-PEG was subsequently used as a drug carrier for doxorubicin [DOX] delivery to CaCo-2, colon cancer cells in vitro. DOX was successfully loaded onto CDs-PEG surface confirmed by FT-IR and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF/MS) patterns. The selective treatment of CDs-PEG-DOX against the colorectal cancer cells, , relative to normal human fibroblast cells was succesfully demonstrated.
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Mele V, Basso C, Governa V, Glaus Garzon JF, Muraro MG, Däster S, Nebiker CA, Mechera R, Bolli M, Schmidt A, Geiger R, Spagnoli GC, Christoforidis D, Majno PE, Borsig L, Iezzi G. Identification of TPM2 and CNN1 as Novel Prognostic Markers in Functionally Characterized Human Colon Cancer-Associated Stromal Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14082024. [PMID: 35454931 PMCID: PMC9025001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14082024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Non-transformed cells of tumor microenvironment also impact on cancer outgrowth and progression. In colon cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, a high abundance of a heterogeneous cell population generally referred to as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) or tumor-associated stromal cells (TASCs) is associated with poor prognosis. The identification of TASC-specific markers could help to select patients for additional treatments and may provide novel targets for innovative therapies. Some markers have been proposed, but their prognostic significance is modest. We successfully expanded TASCs from human colon cancers and demonstrated their capacity to promote tumor growth and metastatic spread in vitro and in in vivo models. By comparing TASC whole protein expression, the so-called “proteome”, with that of stromal cells derived from matched healthy colon tissues, we identified two novel markers highly significantly associated with severe prognosis. Our results might help to identify patients at risk and might suggest new treatment options. Abstract Stromal infiltration is associated with poor prognosis in human colon cancers. However, the high heterogeneity of human tumor-associated stromal cells (TASCs) hampers a clear identification of specific markers of prognostic relevance. To address these issues, we established short-term cultures of TASCs and matched healthy mucosa-associated stromal cells (MASCs) from human primary colon cancers and, upon characterization of their phenotypic and functional profiles in vitro and in vivo, we identified differentially expressed markers by proteomic analysis and evaluated their prognostic significance. TASCs were characterized by higher proliferation and differentiation potential, and enhanced expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers, as compared to MASCs. TASC triggered epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells in vitro and promoted their metastatic spread in vivo, as assessed in an orthotopic mouse model. Proteomic analysis of matched TASCs and MASCs identified a panel of markers preferentially expressed in TASCs. The expression of genes encoding two of them, calponin 1 (CNN1) and tropomyosin beta chain isoform 2 (TPM2), was significantly associated with poor outcome in independent databases and outperformed the prognostic significance of currently proposed TASC markers. The newly identified markers may improve prognostication of primary colon cancers and identification of patients at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Mele
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (V.M.); (M.G.M.)
| | - Camilla Basso
- Laboratory for Surgical Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland; (D.C.); (P.E.M.)
| | - Valeria Governa
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Section of Oncology, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Jesus F. Glaus Garzon
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zürich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (J.F.G.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Manuele G. Muraro
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (V.M.); (M.G.M.)
| | - Silvio Däster
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.A.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Christian A. Nebiker
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.A.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Robert Mechera
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.A.N.); (R.M.)
| | - Martin Bolli
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Clarunis-University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Claraspital and University Hospital Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Roger Geiger
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Giulio C. Spagnoli
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Dimitri Christoforidis
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland; (D.C.); (P.E.M.)
- Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Pietro E. Majno
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland; (D.C.); (P.E.M.)
- Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Lubor Borsig
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zürich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (J.F.G.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Giandomenica Iezzi
- Laboratory for Surgical Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland; (D.C.); (P.E.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Colon Fibroblasts and Inflammation: Sparring Partners in Colorectal Cancer Initiation? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081749. [PMID: 33916891 PMCID: PMC8067599 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death. Patients suffering inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk of CRC. It is admitted that CRC found its origin within crypts of the colon mucosa, which host the intestinal stem cells (ISCs) responsible of the tissue renewal. ISC behavior is controlled by the fibroblasts that surround the crypt. During inflammation, the signals delivered by fibroblasts are altered, leading to stem cells’ dysregulation, possibly turning them into cancer-initiating cells. Here, we reviewed the interplays between the fibroblast and the ISCs, possibly leading to the initiation of CRC due to chronic inflammation. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death. Significant improvements in CRC treatment have been made for the last 20 years, on one hand thanks to a better detection, allowing surgical resection of the incriminated area, and on the other hand, thanks to a better knowledge of CRC’s development allowing the improvement of drug strategies. Despite this crucial progress, CRC remains a public health issue. The current model for CRC initiation and progression is based on accumulation of sequential known genetic mutations in the colon epithelial cells’ genome leading to a loss of control over proliferation and survival. However, increasing evidence reveals that CRC initiation is more complex. Indeed, chronic inflammatory contexts, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, have been shown to increase the risk for CRC development in mice and humans. In this manuscript, we review whether colon fibroblasts can go from the main regulators of the ISC homeostasis, regulating not only the renewal process but also the epithelial cells’ differentiation occurring along the colon crypt, to the main player in the initiation of the colorectal cancer process due to chronic inflammation.
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