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Rahman Z, Bordoloi AD, Rouhana H, Tavasso M, van der Zon G, Garbin V, Ten Dijke P, Boukany PE. Interstitial flow potentiates TGF-β/Smad-signaling activity in lung cancer spheroids in a 3D-microfluidic chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:422-433. [PMID: 38087979 PMCID: PMC10826459 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00886j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer cells use mechanotransduction pathways to convert biophysical forces to biochemical signals. However, the underlying mechanisms and functional significance of these pathways remain largely unclear. The upregulation of mechanosensitive pathways from biophysical forces such as interstitial flow (IF), leads to the activation of various cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). TGF-β promotes in part via a Smad-dependent signaling pathway the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. The latter process is linked to increased cancer cell motility and invasion. Current research models have limited ability to investigate the combined effects of biophysical forces (such as IF) and cytokines (TGF-β) in a 3D microenvironment. We used a 3D-matrix based microfluidic platform to demonstrate the potentiating effect of IF on exogenous TGF-β induced upregulation of the Smad-signaling activity and the expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin in A549 lung cancer spheroids. To monitor this, we used stably integrated fluorescent based reporters into the A549 cancer cell genome. Our results demonstrate that IF enhances exogenous TGF-β induced Smad-signaling activity in lung cancer spheroids embedded in a matrix microenvironment. In addition, we observed an increased cell motility for A549 spheroids when exposed to IF and TGF-β. Our 3D-microfluidic model integrated with real-time imaging provides a powerful tool for investigating cancer cell signaling and motility associated with invasion characteristics in a physiologically relevant TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Rahman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Ankur Deep Bordoloi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Haifa Rouhana
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Margherita Tavasso
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Gerard van der Zon
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Valeria Garbin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pouyan E Boukany
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
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Carter EP, Yoneten KK, Gavara N, Tyler EJ, Gauthier V, Murray ER, ten Dijke P, Cameron AJ, Pearce O, Grose RP. Opposing roles for ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14 in myofibroblast differentiation and function. J Pathol 2024; 262:90-104. [PMID: 37929635 PMCID: PMC10953099 DOI: 10.1002/path.6214] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Crosstalk between cancer and stellate cells is pivotal in pancreatic cancer, resulting in differentiation of stellate cells into myofibroblasts that drives tumour progression. To assess cooperative mechanisms in a 3D context, we generated chimeric spheroids using human and mouse cancer and stellate cells. Species-specific deconvolution of bulk-RNA sequencing data revealed cell type-specific transcriptomes underpinning invasion. This dataset highlighted stellate-specific expression of transcripts encoding the collagen-processing enzymes ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14. Strikingly, loss of ADAMTS2 reduced, while loss of ADAMTS14 promoted, myofibroblast differentiation and invasion independently of their primary role in collagen-processing. Functional and proteomic analysis demonstrated that these two enzymes regulate myofibroblast differentiation through opposing roles in the regulation of transforming growth factor β availability, acting on the protease-specific substrates, Serpin E2 and fibulin 2, for ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14, respectively. Showcasing a broader complexity for these enzymes, we uncovered a novel regulatory axis governing malignant behaviour of the pancreatic cancer stroma. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward P Carter
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Kubra K Yoneten
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Nuria Gavara
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la SalutUniversitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Eleanor J Tyler
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Valentine Gauthier
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Elizabeth R Murray
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical BiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Angus J Cameron
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Oliver Pearce
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Richard P Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
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White SE, Schwartze TA, Mukundan A, Schoenherr C, Singh SP, van Dinther M, Cunningham KT, White MPJ, Campion T, Pritchard J, Hinck CS, Ten Dijke P, Inman G, Maizels RM, Hinck AP. TGM6, a helminth secretory product, mimics TGF-β binding to TβRII to antagonize TGF-β signaling in fibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.22.573140. [PMID: 38187573 PMCID: PMC10769414 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The murine helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus expresses a family of proteins structurally related to TGF-β Mimic 1 (TGM1), a secreted five domain protein that activates the TGF-β pathway and converts naïve T lymphocytes to immunosuppressive Tregs. TGM1 signals through the TGF-β type I and type II receptors, TβRI and TβRII, with domains 1-2 and 3 binding TβRI and TβRII, respectively, and domains 4-5 binding CD44, a co-receptor abundant on T cells. TGM6 is a homologue of TGM1 that is co-expressed with TGM1, but lacks domains 1 and 2. Herein, we show that TGM6 binds TβRII through domain 3, but does not bind TβRI, or other type I or type II receptors of the TGF-β family. In TGF-β reporter assays in fibroblasts, TGM6, but not truncated TGM6 lacking domains 4 and 5, potently inhibits TGF-β- and TGM1-induced signaling, consistent with its ability to bind TβRII but not TβRI or other receptors of the TGF-β family. However, TGM6 does not bind CD44 and is unable to inhibit TGF-β and TGM1 signaling in T cells. To understand how TGM6 binds TβRII, the X-ray crystal structure of the TGM6 domain 3 bound to TβRII was determined at 1.4 Å. This showed that TGM6 domain 3 binds TβRII through an interface remarkably similar to the TGF-β:TβRII interface. These results suggest that TGM6 has adapted its domain structure and sequence to mimic TGF-β binding to TβRII and function as a potent TGF-β and TGM1 antagonist in fibroblasts. The coexpression of TGM6, along with the immunosuppressive TGMs that activate the TGF-β pathway, may prevent tissue damage caused by the parasite as it progresses through its life cycle from the intestinal lumen to submucosal tissues and back again.
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Gu Y, Zhang Z, Camps MG, Ossendorp F, Wijdeven RH, ten Dijke P. Genome-wide CRISPR screens define determinants of epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediated immune evasion by pancreatic cancer cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf9915. [PMID: 37450593 PMCID: PMC10348683 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf9915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The genetic circuits that allow cancer cells to evade immune killing via epithelial mesenchymal plasticity remain poorly understood. Here, we showed that mesenchymal-like (Mes) KPC3 pancreatic cancer cells were more resistant to cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated killing than the parental epithelial-like (Epi) cells and used parallel genome-wide CRISPR screens to assess the molecular underpinnings of this difference. Core CTL-evasion genes (such as IFN-γ pathway components) were clearly evident in both types. Moreover, we identified and validated multiple Mes-specific regulators of cytotoxicity, such as Egfr and Mfge8. Both genes were significantly higher expressed in Mes cancer cells, and their depletion sensitized Mes cancer cells to CTL-mediated killing. Notably, Mes cancer cells secreted more Mfge8 to inhibit proliferation of CD8+ T cells and production of IFN-γ and TNFα. Clinically, increased Egfr and Mfge8 expression was correlated with a worse prognosis. Thus, Mes cancer cells use Egfr-mediated intrinsic and Mfge8-mediated extrinsic mechanisms to facilitate immune escape from CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhuo Gu
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Zhengkui Zhang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Marcel G. M. Camps
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ruud H. Wijdeven
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, Netherlands
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Fan C, González-Prieto R, Kuipers TB, Vertegaal ACO, van Veelen PA, Mei H, Ten Dijke P. The lncRNA LETS1 promotes TGF-β-induced EMT and cancer cell migration by transcriptionally activating a TβR1-stabilizing mechanism. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadf1947. [PMID: 37339182 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adf1947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is a critical driver of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression. In SMAD-dependent TGF-β signaling, activation of the TGF-β receptor complex stimulates the phosphorylation of the intracellular receptor-associated SMADs (SMAD2 and SMAD3), which translocate to the nucleus to promote target gene expression. SMAD7 inhibits signaling through the pathway by promoting the polyubiquitination of the TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI). We identified an unannotated nuclear long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that we designated LETS1 (lncRNA enforcing TGF-β signaling 1) that was not only increased but also perpetuated by TGF-β signaling. Loss of LETS1 attenuated TGF-β-induced EMT and migration in breast and lung cancer cells in vitro and extravasation of the cells in a zebrafish xenograft model. LETS1 potentiated TGF-β-SMAD signaling by stabilizing cell surface TβRI, thereby forming a positive feedback loop. Specifically, LETS1 inhibited TβRI polyubiquitination by binding to nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT5) and inducing the expression of the gene encoding the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1), a component of a destruction complex for SMAD7. Overall, our findings characterize LETS1 as an EMT-promoting lncRNA that potentiates signaling through TGF-β receptor complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuannan Fan
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Román González-Prieto
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
- Genome Proteomics Laboratory, Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), University of Seville, Américo Vespucio 24, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Seville, Américo Vespucio 24, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Thomas B Kuipers
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alfred C O Vertegaal
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands
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Almagro J, Messal HA. Volume imaging to interrogate cancer cell-tumor microenvironment interactions in space and time. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176594. [PMID: 37261345 PMCID: PMC10228654 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Volume imaging visualizes the three-dimensional (3D) complexity of tumors to unravel the dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells and the heterogeneous landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tissue clearing and intravital microscopy (IVM) constitute rapidly progressing technologies to study the architectural context of such interactions. Tissue clearing enables high-resolution imaging of large samples, allowing for the characterization of entire tumors and even organs and organisms with tumors. With IVM, the dynamic engagement between cancer cells and the TME can be visualized in 3D over time, allowing for acquisition of 4D data. Together, tissue clearing and IVM have been critical in the examination of cancer-TME interactions and have drastically advanced our knowledge in fundamental cancer research and clinical oncology. This review provides an overview of the current technical repertoire of fluorescence volume imaging technologies to study cancer and the TME, and discusses how their recent applications have been utilized to advance our fundamental understanding of tumor architecture, stromal and immune infiltration, vascularization and innervation, and to explore avenues for immunotherapy and optimized chemotherapy delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Almagro
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hendrik A. Messal
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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