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Wenqiang D, Novin A, Liu Y, Afzal J, Suhail Y, Liu S, Gavin NR, Jorgensen JR, Morosky CM, Figueroa R, Schmidt TA, Sanders M, Brewer MA, Kshitiz. Scar matrix drives Piezo1 mediated stromal inflammation leading to placenta accreta spectrum. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8379. [PMID: 39333481 PMCID: PMC11436960 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52351-0] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Scar tissue formation is a hallmark of wound repair in adults and can chronically affect tissue architecture and function. To understand the general phenomena, we sought to explore scar-driven imbalance in tissue homeostasis caused by a common, and standardized surgical procedure, the uterine scar due to cesarean surgery. Deep uterine scar is associated with a rapidly increasing condition in pregnant women, placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), characterized by aggressive trophoblast invasion into the uterus, frequently necessitating hysterectomy at parturition. We created a model of uterine scar, recapitulating PAS-like invasive phenotype, showing that scar matrix activates mechanosensitive ion channel, Piezo1, through glycolysis-fueled cellular contraction. Piezo1 activation increases intracellular calcium activity and Protein kinase C activation, leading to NF-κB nuclear translocation, and MafG stabilization. This inflammatory transformation of decidua leads to production of IL-8 and G-CSF, chemotactically recruiting invading trophoblasts towards scar, initiating PAS. Our study demonstrates aberrant mechanics of scar disturbs stroma-epithelia homeostasis in placentation, with implications in cancer dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Du Wenqiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Ashkan Novin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Yamin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Junaid Afzal
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Shaofei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Nicole R Gavin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Jennifer R Jorgensen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Christopher M Morosky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Reinaldo Figueroa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Tannin A Schmidt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Melinda Sanders
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Molly A Brewer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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2
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Mahawan T, Luckett T, Mielgo Iza A, Pornputtapong N, Caamaño Gutiérrez E. Robust and consistent biomarker candidates identification by a machine learning approach applied to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastasis. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:175. [PMID: 38902676 PMCID: PMC11191155 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02578-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Machine Learning (ML) plays a crucial role in biomedical research. Nevertheless, it still has limitations in data integration and irreproducibility. To address these challenges, robust methods are needed. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a highly aggressive cancer with low early detection rates and survival rates, is used as a case study. PDAC lacks reliable diagnostic biomarkers, especially metastatic biomarkers, which remains an unmet need. In this study, we propose an ML-based approach for discovering disease biomarkers, apply it to the identification of a PDAC metastatic composite biomarker candidate, and demonstrate the advantages of harnessing data resources. METHODS We utilised primary tumour RNAseq data from five public repositories, pooling samples to maximise statistical power and integrating data by correcting for technical variance. Data were split into train and validation sets. The train dataset underwent variable selection via a 10-fold cross-validation process that combined three algorithms in 100 models per fold. Genes found in at least 80% of models and five folds were considered robust to build a consensus multivariate model. A random forest model was constructed using selected genes from the train dataset and tested in the validation set. We also assessed the goodness of prediction by recalibrating a model using only the validation data. The biological context and relevance of signals was explored through enrichment and pathway analyses using QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and GeneMANIA. RESULTS We developed a pipeline that can detect robust signatures to build composite biomarkers. We tested the pipeline in PDAC, exploiting transcriptomics data from different sources, proposing a composite biomarker candidate comprised of fifteen genes consistently selected that showed very promising predictive capability. Biological contextualisation revealed links with cancer progression and metastasis, underscoring their potential relevance. All code is available in GitHub. CONCLUSION This study establishes a robust framework for identifying composite biomarkers across various disease contexts. We demonstrate its potential by proposing a plausible composite biomarker candidate for PDAC metastasis. By reusing data from public repositories, we highlight the sustainability of our research and the wider applications of our pipeline. The preliminary findings shed light on a promising validation and application path.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanakamol Mahawan
- Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry & System Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Teifion Luckett
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ainhoa Mielgo Iza
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Natapol Pornputtapong
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Center of Excellence in Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Eva Caamaño Gutiérrez
- Department of Biochemistry & System Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
- Computational Biology Facility, LIV-SRF, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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Tomizawa Y, Wali KH, Surti M, Suhail Y, Kshitiz, Hoshino K. Lightsheet microscopy integrates single-cell optical visco-elastography and fluorescence cytometry of 3D live tissues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.20.590392. [PMID: 38766194 PMCID: PMC11100606 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.20.590392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Most common cytometry methods, including flow cytometry, observe suspended or fixed cells and cannot evaluate their structural roles in 3D tissues. However, cellular physical interactions are critical in physiological, developmental, and pathological processes. Here, we present a novel optical visco-elastography that characterizes single-cellular physical interactions by applying in-situ micro-mechanical perturbation to live microtissues under 3D lightsheet microscopy. The 4D digital image correlation (DIC) analysis of ~20,000 nodes tracked the compressive deformation of 3D tissues containing ~500 cells. The computational 3D image segmentation allowed cell-by-cell qualitative observation and statistical analysis, directly correlating multi-channel fluorescence and viscoelasticity. To represent epithelia-stroma interactions, we used a 3D organoid model of maternal-fetal interface and visualized solid-like, well-aligned displacement and liquid-like random motion between individual cells. The statistical analysis through our unique cytometry confirmed that endometrial stromal fibroblasts stiffen in response to decidualization. Moreover, we demonstrated in the 3D model that interaction with placental extravillous trophoblasts partially reverses the attained stiffness, which was supported by the gene expression analysis. Placentation shares critical cellular and molecular significance with various fundamental biological events such as cancer metastasis, wound healing, and gastrulation. Our analysis confirmed existing beliefs and discovered new insights, proving the broad applicability of our method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Tomizawa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Khadija H Wali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Manav Surti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
- Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT
| | - Kazunori Hoshino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, CT
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Liu Y, Suhail Y, Novin A, Afzal J, Pant A, Kshitiz. Lactate in breast cancer cells is associated with evasion of hypoxia-induced cell cycle arrest and adverse patient outcome. Hum Cell 2024; 37:768-781. [PMID: 38478356 PMCID: PMC11256967 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01046-1] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia is a common microenvironmental factor in breast cancers, resulting in stabilization of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1), the master regulator of hypoxic response in cells. Metabolic adaptation by HIF-1 results in inhibition of citric acid cycle, causing accumulation of lactate in large concentrations in hypoxic cancers. Lactate can therefore serve as a secondary microenvironmental factor influencing cellular response to hypoxia. Presence of lactate can alter the hypoxic response of breast cancers in many ways, sometimes in opposite manners. Lactate stabilizes HIF-1 in oxidative condition, as well as destabilizes HIF-1 in hypoxia, increases cellular acidification, and mitigates HIF-1-driven inhibition of cellular respiration. We therefore tested the effect of lactate in MDA-MB-231 under hypoxia, finding that lactate can activate pathways associated with DNA replication, and cell cycling, as well as tissue morphogenesis associated with invasive processes. Using a bioengineered nano-patterned stromal invasion assay, we also confirmed that high lactate and induced HIF-1α gene overexpression can synergistically promote MDA-MB-231 dissemination and stromal trespass. Furthermore, using The Cancer Genome Atlas, we also surprisingly found that lactate in hypoxia promotes gene expression signatures prognosticating low survival in breast cancer patients. Our work documents that lactate accumulation contributes to increased heterogeneity in breast cancer gene expression promoting cancer growth and reducing patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Ashkan Novin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Junaid Afzal
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aditya Pant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- NEAG Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- NEAG Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
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5
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Liu S, Liu Y, Qiu X, Suhail Y, Kshitiz. Tissue-of-origin for cancers determines HIF-1 activation induced phenotypic heterogeneity. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:834-848. [PMID: 38372346 PMCID: PMC11013563 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23691] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is the master regulator of cellular response to hypoxia, and is activated in many cancers contributing to many steps in the metastatic cascade by acting as a key transcription co-regulator for a large number of downstream genes. Presence of hypoxia within a tumor is spatially nonuniform, and can also by dynamic. Further, although HIF-1 is primarily stabilized and activated by lack of molecular O2, its stability is also affected by other factors present in the tumor microenvironment. HIF-1 also crosstalks with other transcription factors in co-regulating gene expression. Consequently, it is nontrivial to predict the gene expression patterns in cells in response to hypoxia, or HIF-1 activation. Additionally, cancers originating from tissue origins with different basal level of partial oxygen tension may activate HIF-1 at different threshold of hypoxia. We analyzed large published single cell RNAseq data for colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers to investigate the phenotypic outcome of HIF-1 activation in cancer cells. We found that cancers from tissues with different partial O2 tension levels exhibit HIF-1 activation at different stages of metastasis, and phenotypically respond differently to HIF-1 activation, likely by contextual co-option of different transcription factors. We experimentally confirmed these predictions by using cell lines representative of colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers, finding that while hypoxia enhances growth of colorectal cancer, it induces increased invasion of lung, and pancreatic cancers. Our analysis suggest that HIF-1 activation may act as a rheostat regulating downstream gene expression towards phenotypic outcomes differently in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yamin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xihua Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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Kou Z, Liu C, Zhang W, Sun C, Liu L, Zhang Q. Heterogeneity of primary and metastatic CAFs: From differential treatment outcomes to treatment opportunities (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:54. [PMID: 38577950 PMCID: PMC11015919 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Compared with primary tumor sites, metastatic sites appear more resistant to treatments and respond differently to the treatment regimen. It may be due to the heterogeneity in the microenvironment between metastatic sites and primary tumors. Cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are widely present in the tumor stroma as key components of the tumor microenvironment. Primary tumor CAFs (pCAFs) and metastatic CAFs (mCAFs) are heterogeneous in terms of source, activation mode, markers and functional phenotypes. They can shape the tumor microenvironment according to organ, showing heterogeneity between primary tumors and metastases, which may affect the sensitivity of these sites to treatment. It was hypothesized that understanding the heterogeneity between pCAFs and mCAFs can provide a glimpse into the difference in treatment outcomes, providing new ideas for improving the rate of metastasis control in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixing Kou
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa Island 999078, Macau SAR, P.R. China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 621000, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 621000, P.R. China
| | - Qiming Zhang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
- Department of Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100007, P.R. China
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7
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Novin A, Wali K, Pant A, Liu S, Du W, Liu Y, Wang L, Xu M, Wang B, Suhail Y, Kshitiz. Oscillatory Hypoxia Can Induce Senescence of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Potentiating Invasive Transformation of Breast Epithelial Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:969. [PMID: 38473331 PMCID: PMC10930887 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050969] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is strongly associated with occurrence, metastasis, and resistance to therapy in breast cancers, which also exhibit high adipose content in the tumor microenvironment. Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are recruited to breast cancer by many mechanisms, including hypoxia, and contribute to metastatic transition of the cancer. Breast cancers are characterized by regions of hypoxia, which can be temporally unstable owing to a mismatch between oxygen supply and consumption. Using a high-sensitivity nanopatterned stromal invasion assay, we found that ASCs could promote stromal invasion of not only breast cancer cell lines but also MCF10A1, a cell line derived from untransformed breast epithelium. RNA sequencing of MCF10A1 cells conditioned with medium from ASCs revealed upregulation of genes associated with increased cell migration, chemotaxis, and metastasis. Furthermore, we found that fluctuating or oscillating hypoxia could induce senescence in ASCs, which could result in an increased invasive potential in the treated MCF10A1 cells. These findings highlight the complex interplay within the breast cancer microenvironment, hypoxia, and the role of ASCs in transforming even non-cancerous breast epithelium toward an invasive phenotype, providing insights into early metastatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Novin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (A.N.); (K.W.); (A.P.); (S.L.); (Y.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (W.D.); (Y.L.)
| | - Khadija Wali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (A.N.); (K.W.); (A.P.); (S.L.); (Y.S.)
| | - Aditya Pant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (A.N.); (K.W.); (A.P.); (S.L.); (Y.S.)
| | - Shaofei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (A.N.); (K.W.); (A.P.); (S.L.); (Y.S.)
| | - Wenqiang Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (W.D.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yamin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (W.D.); (Y.L.)
| | - Lichao Wang
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (L.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (L.W.); (M.X.)
- Center for Aging Research, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA;
| | - Binsheng Wang
- Center for Aging Research, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA;
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (A.N.); (K.W.); (A.P.); (S.L.); (Y.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (W.D.); (Y.L.)
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (A.N.); (K.W.); (A.P.); (S.L.); (Y.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (W.D.); (Y.L.)
- NEAG Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
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8
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Rebelo R, Xavier CPR, Giovannetti E, Vasconcelos MH. Fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer: molecular and clinical perspectives. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:439-453. [PMID: 37100646 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are highly abundant cells in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME) that modulate desmoplasia. The formation of a dense stroma leads to immunosuppression and therapy resistance that are major causes of treatment failure in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent evidence suggests that several subpopulations of CAFs in the TME can interconvert, explaining the dual roles (antitumorigenic and protumorigenic) of CAFs in PDAC and the contradictory results of CAF-targeted therapies in clinical trials. This highlights the need to clarify CAF heterogeneity and their interactions with PDAC cells. This review focuses on the communication between activated PSCs/CAFs and PDAC cells, as well as on the mechanisms underlying this crosstalk. CAF-focused therapies and emerging biomarkers are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Rebelo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina P R Xavier
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Helena Vasconcelos
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal.
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9
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Asawa S, Nüesch M, Gvozdenovic A, Aceto N. Circulating tumour cells in gastrointestinal cancers: food for thought? Br J Cancer 2023; 128:1981-1990. [PMID: 36932192 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02228-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for 35% of cancer-related deaths, predominantly due to their ability to spread and generate drug-tolerant metastases. Arising from different locations in the GI system, the majority of metastatic GI malignancies colonise the liver and the lungs. In this context, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are playing a critical role in the formation of new metastases, and their presence in the blood of patients has been correlated with a poor outcome. In addition to their prognostic utility, prospective targeting of CTCs may represent a novel, yet ambitious strategy in the fight against metastasis. A better understanding of CTC biology, mechanistic underpinnings and weaknesses may facilitate the development of previously underappreciated anti-metastasis approaches. Here, along with related clinical studies, we outline a selection of the literature describing biological features of CTCs with an impact on their metastasis forming ability in different GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Asawa
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Nüesch
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Gvozdenovic
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland.
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10
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Zhang T, Ren Y, Yang P, Wang J, Zhou H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:897. [PMID: 36284087 PMCID: PMC9596464 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and poor prognosis. High levels of ECM proteins derived from tumour cells reduce the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment paradigms and contribute to tumour progression and metastasis. As abundant tumour-promoting cells in the ECM, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are promising targets for novel anti-tumour interventions. Nonetheless, related clinical trials are hampered by the lack of specific markers and elusive differences between CAF subtypes. Here, we review the origins and functional diversity of CAFs and show how they create a tumour-promoting milieu, focusing on the crosstalk between CAFs, tumour cells, and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment. Furthermore, relevant clinical advances and potential therapeutic strategies relating to CAFs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanxian Ren
- grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Yang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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