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Gan D, Zhu Y, Lu X, Li J. SCIPAC: quantitative estimation of cell-phenotype associations. Genome Biol 2024; 25:119. [PMID: 38741183 PMCID: PMC11089691 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03263-1] [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: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous algorithms have been proposed to identify cell types in single-cell RNA sequencing data, yet a fundamental problem remains: determining associations between cells and phenotypes such as cancer. We develop SCIPAC, the first algorithm that quantitatively estimates the association between each cell in single-cell data and a phenotype. SCIPAC also provides a p-value for each association and applies to data with virtually any type of phenotype. We demonstrate SCIPAC's accuracy in simulated data. On four real cancerous or noncancerous datasets, insights from SCIPAC help interpret the data and generate new hypotheses. SCIPAC requires minimum tuning and is computationally very fast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dailin Gan
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, USA
| | - Yini Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, USA
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, 46202, IN, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556, IN, 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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Cantallops Vilà P, Ravichandra A, Agirre Lizaso A, Perugorria MJ, Affò S. Heterogeneity, crosstalk, and targeting of cancer-associated fibroblasts in cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 2024; 79:941-958. [PMID: 37018128 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprises diverse tumors of the biliary tree and is characterized by late diagnosis, short-term survival, and chemoresistance. CCAs are mainly classified according to their anatomical location and include diverse molecular subclasses harboring inter-tumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity. Besides the tumor cell component, CCA is also characterized by a complex and dynamic tumor microenvironment where tumor cells and stromal cells crosstalk in an intricate network of interactions. Cancer-associated fibroblasts, one of the most abundant cell types in the tumor stroma of CCA, are actively involved in cholangiocarcinogenesis by participating in multiple aspects of the disease including extracellular matrix remodeling, immunomodulation, neo-angiogenesis, and metastasis. Despite their overall tumor-promoting role, recent evidence indicates the presence of transcriptional and functional heterogeneous CAF subtypes with tumor-promoting and tumor-restricting properties. To elucidate the complexity and potentials of cancer-associated fibroblasts as therapeutic targets in CCA, this review will discuss the origin of cancer-associated fibroblasts, their heterogeneity, crosstalk, and role during tumorigenesis, providing an overall picture of the present and future perspectives toward cancer-associated fibroblasts targeting CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aashreya Ravichandra
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aloña Agirre Lizaso
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maria J Perugorria
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Silvia Affò
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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Li C, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Xu M, Lei H, Zhang D. Efficient Sequential Co-Delivery Nanosystem for Inhibition of Tumor and Tumor-Associated Fibroblast-Induced Resistance and Metastasis. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:1749-1766. [PMID: 38414527 PMCID: PMC10898601 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s427783] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer. However, the effect of current treatment strategies by inducing tumor cell apoptosis alone is not satisfactory. The growth, metastasis and treatment sensitivity of tumors can be strongly influenced by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the microenvironment. Effective cancer therapies may need to target not only the tumor cells directly but also the CAFs that protect them. Methods Celastrol and small-sized micelles containing betulinic acid were co-encapsulated into liposomes using the thin-film hydration method (CL@BM). Folic acid was further introduced to modify liposomes as the targeting moiety (F/CL@BM). We established a novel NIH3T3+4T1 co-culture model to mimic the tumor microenvironment and assessed the nanocarrier's inhibitory effects on CAFs-induced drug resistance and migration in the co-culture model. The in vivo biological distribution, fluorescence imaging, biological safety evaluation, and combined therapeutic effect evaluation of the nanocarrier were carried out based on a triple-negative breast cancer model. Results In the present study, a novel multifunctional nano-formulation was designed by combining the advantages of sequential release, co-loading of tretinoin and betulinic acid, and folic acid-mediated active targeting. As expected, the nano-formulation exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity in different cellular models and effectively increased drug accumulation at the tumor site by disrupting the cellular barrier composed of CAFs by tretinoin. Notably, the co-loaded nano-formulations proved to be more potent in inhibiting tumor growth in mice and also showed better anti-metastatic effects in lung metastasis models compared to the formulations with either drug alone. This novel drug delivery system has the potential to be used to develop more effective cancer therapies. Conclusion Targeting CAFs with celastrol sensitizes tumor cells to chemotherapy, increasing the efficacy of betulinic acid. The combination of drugs targeting tumor cells and CAFs may lead to more effective therapies against various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqing Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Maochang Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Lei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
- Green Pharmaceutical Technology Key Laboratory of Luzhou, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China
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Fergatova A, Affara NI. The cellular triumvirate: fibroblasts entangled in the crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1337333. [PMID: 38313431 PMCID: PMC10835808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1337333] [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: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This review article will focus on subpopulations of fibroblasts that get reprogrammed by tumor cells into cancer-associated fibroblasts. Throughout this article, we will discuss the intricate interactions between fibroblasts, immune cells, and tumor cells. Unravelling complex intercellular crosstalk will pave the way for new insights into cellular mechanisms underlying the reprogramming of the local tumor immune microenvironment and propose novel immunotherapy strategies that might have potential in harnessing and modulating immune system responses.
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Adhikari E, Liu Q, Johnson J, Stewart P, Marusyk V, Fang B, Izumi V, Bowers K, Guzman KM, Koomen JM, Marusyk A, Lau EK. Brain metastasis-associated fibroblasts secrete fucosylated PVR/CD155 that induces breast cancer invasion. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113463. [PMID: 37995180 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113463] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis cancer-associated fibroblasts (bmCAFs) are emerging as crucial players in the development of breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM), but our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms is limited. In this study, we aim to elucidate the pathological contributions of fucosylation (the post-translational modification of proteins by the dietary sugar L-fucose) to tumor-stromal interactions that drive the development of BCBM. Here, we report that patient-derived bmCAFs secrete high levels of polio virus receptor (PVR), which enhance the invasive capacity of BC cells. Mechanistically, we find that HIF1α transcriptionally upregulates fucosyltransferase 11, which fucosylates PVR, triggering its secretion from bmCAFs. Global phosphoproteomic analysis of BC cells followed by functional verification identifies cell-cell junction and actin cytoskeletal signaling as modulated by bmCAF-secreted, -fucosylated PVR. Our findings delineate a hypoxia- and fucosylation-regulated mechanism by which bmCAFs contribute to the invasiveness of BCBM in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Adhikari
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment & Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment & Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Joseph Johnson
- Department of Analytic Microscopy, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Paul Stewart
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Viktoriya Marusyk
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Bin Fang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Victoria Izumi
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kiah Bowers
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kelly M Guzman
- Department of Analytic Microscopy, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - John M Koomen
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Andriy Marusyk
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Eric K Lau
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment & Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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Zhang W, Wang J, Liu C, Li Y, Sun C, Wu J, Wu Q. Crosstalk and plasticity driving between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment: significance of breast cancer metastasis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:827. [PMID: 37978384 PMCID: PMC10657029 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04714-2] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cell population in breast tumors. A functionally diverse population of CAFs increases the dynamic complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The intertwined network of the TME facilitates the interaction between activated CAFs and breast cancer cells, which can lead to the proliferation and invasion of breast cells. Considering the special transmission function of CAFs, the aim of this review is to summarize and highlight the crosstalk between CAFs and breast cancer cells in the TME as well as the relationship between CAFs and extracellular matrix (ECM), soluble cytokines, and other stromal cells in the metastatic state. The crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment also provides a plastic therapeutic target for breast cancer metastasis. In the course of the study, the inhibitory effects of different natural compounds on targeting CAFs and the advantages of different drug combinations were summarized. CAFs are also widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The cumulative research on this phenomenon supports the establishment of a targeted immune microenvironment as a possible breakthrough in the prevention of invasive metastasis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
| | - Ye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China.
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China.
| | - Jibiao Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
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Chen C, Ye L, Yi J, Liu T, Li Z. FN1 mediated activation of aspartate metabolism promotes the progression of triple-negative and luminal a breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 201:515-533. [PMID: 37458908 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07032-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is regarded as one of the most common cancers diagnosed among the female population and has an extremely high mortality rate. It is known that Fibronectin 1 (FN1) drives the occurrence and development of a variety of cancers through metabolic reprogramming. Aspartic acid is considered to be an important substrate for nucleotide synthesis. However, the regulatory mechanism between FN1 and aspartate metabolism is currently unclear. METHODS We used RNA sequencing (RNA seq) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues of patients. MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were used to explore the effects of FN1-regulated aspartic acid metabolism on cell survival, invasion, migration and tumor growth. We used PCR, Western blot, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques to study it. RESULTS We found that FN1 was highly expressed in tumor tissues, especially in Lumina A and TNBC subtypes, and was associated with poor prognosis. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that silencing FN1 inhibits the activation of the YAP1/Hippo pathway by enhancing YAP1 phosphorylation, down-regulates SLC1A3-mediated aspartate uptake and utilization by tumor cells, inhibits BC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and promotes apoptosis. In addition, inhibition of FN1 combined with the YAP1 inhibitor or SLC1A3 inhibitor can effectively inhibit tumor growth, of which inhibition of FN1 combined with the YAP1 inhibitor is more effective. CONCLUSION Targeting the "FN1/YAP1/SLC1A3/Aspartate metabolism" regulatory axis provides a new target for BC diagnosis and treatment. This study also revealed that intratumoral metabolic heterogeneity plays an important role in the progression of different subtypes of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Leiguang Ye
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jinfeng Yi
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Tang Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Zhigao Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, 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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Li W, Shi S. Prognostic value of cancer-associated fibroblasts-related genes in lung adenocarcinoma. Transl Cancer Res 2023; 12:1895-1911. [PMID: 37701101 PMCID: PMC10493796 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Background The incidence of lung adenocarcinoma is in the forefront of malignant tumors in the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cancer-associated fibroblast-related genes (CAFRGs) in the occurrence, diagnosis and development of lung adenocarcinoma. Methods RNA data and corresponding clinical information of lung adenocarcinoma patients were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Consensus clustering was performed to identify different molecular subgroups. The tumor immune states of different subgroups were determined by Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE; https://bioinformatics.mdanderson.org/estimate/index.html), microenvironment cell populations (MCP)-counter (which can reliably quantify the abundance of eight immune cell populations and two stromal cell populations), and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) analyses. In order to elucidate the potential mechanism of CAFRGs, functional enrichment analysis including gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG), and GSEA analysis were performed on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to construct the prognostic risk model, which was verified by lung adenocarcinoma data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE37745. Results This study identified two molecular subgroups with significant differences in survival. High immunoscore and immune cell infiltration were more common in the subgroup with better prognosis. GO and KEGG analysis showed that DEGs between the two different subgroups were mainly concentrated in the mitotic cell cycle, cell proliferation, vascular development, and humoral immune response, adaptive immune-related pathways. GSEA analysis indicated that RNA degradation and P53 signaling pathway might be related to the increased invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma. Risk models based on CAFRGs have demonstrated potent potential for predicting lung adenocarcinoma survival and have been validated in validation cohorts. The nomogram combined with risk model and clinical characteristics can predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusions The expression of CAFRGs is related to tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of lung adenocarcinoma patients, and can predict the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shengnan Shi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
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Cakir Y, Talu CK, Trabulus DC, Mermut O. The immunohistochemical Galectin-3 expression in tumor and cancer-associated fibroblasts in invasive ductal carcinomas of breast and their relationship with clinicopathological parameters. INDIAN J PATHOL MICR 2023; 66:456-464. [PMID: 37530324 DOI: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_284_21] [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] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Galectin-3 has an important role in metastasis, therefore, Galectin-3-focused therapies have attracted attention for various cancers. Aim We aimed to reveal the relationship between the expression of Galectin-3 within the tumor/cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and clinicopathological parameters in patients with invasive ductal carcinomas. Materials and Methods Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of breast excision materials diagnosed between 2010 and 2016 were re-examined retrospectively. Accordingly, 118 cases (luminal group = 58, Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) group = 27, and triple-negative breast carcinoma group [TNBC] =33 cases) were included. Galectin-3 levels were evaluated with a calculated H-score in tumor and semiquantitatively in CAFs. Statistical Analysis Data was analyzed with t-tests and Chi-square tests. Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank tests were used for survival analysis. Results The presence of Galectin-3 expression in CAFs but not in the tumor was associated with the greater number of axillary metastatic nodes and advanced pN stage. The loss of Galectin-3 expression in CAFs was more frequent in TNBC. There was no significant relationship between the expression level of Galectin-3 and survival status. However, in most of the cases with distant metastasis or patients who died, Galectin-3 was negative in the tumor, whereas it was positive in CAFs. Conclusions The expression of Galectin-3 in tumors and CAFs may have a role in metastasis to axillary lymph nodes and distant sites. In terms of molecular subtype, TNBCs show a relationship with Galectin-3 negativity in CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Cakir
- Department of Pathology, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Science, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Canan Kelten Talu
- Department of Pathology, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Science, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Didem Can Trabulus
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Science, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Mermut
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Science, Istanbul, Turkey
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Aboussekhra A, Islam SS, Alraouji NN. Activated breast stromal fibroblasts exhibit myoepithelial and mammary stem cells features. Transl Oncol 2023; 35:101721. [PMID: 37329829 PMCID: PMC10366632 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor growth and spread, and like tumor cells they are also heterogeneous with various molecular sub-types and different pro-tumorigenic capacities. METHODS We have used immunoblotting as well as quantitative RT-PCR to assess the expression of various epithelial/mesenchymal as well as stemness markers in breast stromal fibroblasts. Immunofluorescence was utilized to assess the level of different myoepithelial and luminal markers at the cellular level. Flow cytometry allowed to determine the proportion of CD44- and ALDH1-positive breast fibroblasts, while sphere formation assay was used to test the ability of these cells to form mammospheres. RESULTS We have shown here that IL-6-dependent activation of breast and skin fibroblasts promotes mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and stemness in a STAT3- and p16-dependent manner. Interestingly, most primary CAFs isolated from breast cancer patients exhibited such transition and expressed lower levels of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and vimentin as compared to their adjacent normal fibroblasts (TCFs) isolated from the same patients. We have also shown that some CAFs and IL-6-activated fibroblasts express high levels of the myoepithelial markers cytokeratin 14 and CD10. Interestingly, 12 CAFs isolated from breast tumors showed higher proportions of CD24low/CD44high and ALDHhigh cells, compared to their corresponding TCF cells. These CD44high cells have higher abilities to form mammospheres and to enhance cell proliferation of breast cancer cells in a paracrine manner relative to their corresponding CD44low cells. CONCLUSION Together, the present findings show novel characteristics of active breast stromal fibroblasts, which exhibit additional myoepithelial/progenitor features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelilah Aboussekhra
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, MBC # 03, PO BOX 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Syed S Islam
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, MBC # 03, PO BOX 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noura N Alraouji
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, MBC # 03, PO BOX 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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Qiu H, Shao N, Liu J, Zhao J, Chen C, Li Q, He Z, Zhao X, Xu L. Amino acid metabolism in tumor: New shine in the fog? Clin Nutr 2023:S0261-5614(23)00184-X. [PMID: 37321900 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in amino acid metabolism is closely related to the occurrence of clinical diseases. The mechanism of tumorigenesis is complex, involving the complicated relationship between tumor cells and immune cells in local tumor microenvironment. A series of recent studies have shown that metabolic remodeling is intimately related to tumorigenesis. And amino acid metabolic reprogramming is one of the important characteristics of tumor metabolic remodeling, which participates in tumor cells growth, survival as well as the immune cell activation and function in the local tumor microenvironment, thereby affecting tumor immune escape. Recent studies have further shown that controlling the intake of specific amino acids can significantly improve the effect of clinical intervention in tumors, suggesting that amino acid metabolism is gradually becoming one of the new promising targets of clinical intervention in tumors. Therefore, developing new intervention strategies based on amino acid metabolism has broad prospects. In this article, we review the abnormal changes in the metabolism of some typical amino acids, including glutamine, serine, glycine, asparagine and so on in tumor cells and summarize the relationship among amino acid metabolism, tumor microenvironment and the function of T cells. In particular, we discuss the current issues that need to be addressed in the related fields of tumor amino acid metabolism, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of new strategies for clinical interventions in tumors based on amino acid metabolism reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiu
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Nan Shao
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Qihong Li
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Zhixu He
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guizhou Guiyang, 550025 China; Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China.
| | - Lin Xu
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China.
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Borah S, Mishra R, Dey S, Suchanti S, Bhowmick NA, Giri B, Haldar S. Prognostic Value of Circulating Mitochondrial DNA in Prostate Cancer and Underlying Mechanism. Mitochondrion 2023; 71:40-49. [PMID: 37211294 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Circulating DNAs are considered as degraded DNA fragments of approximately 50-200 bp, found in blood plasma, consisting of cell-free mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Such cell-free DNAs in the blood are found to be altered in different pathological conditions including lupus, heart disease, and malignancies. While nuclear DNAs are being used and being developed as a powerful clinical biomarker in liquid biopsies, mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) are associated with inflammatory conditions including cancer progression. Patients with cancer including prostate cancer are found to have measurable concentrations of mitochondrial DNA in circulation in comparison with healthy controls. The plasma content of mitochondrial DNA is dramatically elevated in both prostate cancer patients and mouse models treated with the chemotherapeutic drug. Cell-free mtDNA, in its oxidized form, induced a pro-inflammatory condition and activates NLRP3-mediated inflammasome formation which causes IL-1β-mediated activation of growth factors. On the other hand, interacting with TLR9, mtDNAs trigger NF-κB-mediated complement C3a positive feedback paracrine loop and activate pro-proliferating signaling through upregulating AKT, ERK, and Bcl2 in the prostate tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the growing evidence supporting cell-free mitochondrial DNA copy number, size, and mutations in mtDNA genes as potential prognostic biomarkers in different cancers and targetable prostate cancer therapeutic candidates impacting stromal-epithelial interactions essential for chemotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Borah
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles 90048, CA, USA
| | - Rajeev Mishra
- Department of Life Sciences, CSJM University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208012, India
| | - Sananda Dey
- Department of Research, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Surabhi Suchanti
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan 303007, India
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles 90048, CA, USA; Department of Research, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Biplab Giri
- Department of Physiology, University of Gour Banga, Malda 732103, India.
| | - Subhash Haldar
- Department of Biochemistry, Bose Institute, Kolkata 700091, India.
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Chen FP, Chien MH, Lee CH. Regulation of the cell cycle and P13K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by phthalates in normal human breast cells. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 62:434-439. [PMID: 37188449 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2022.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of phthalates, including Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), in breast carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS MCF-10A normal breast cells were treated with phthalates (100 nM) and 17β-estradiol (E2, 10 nM), which were co-cultured with fibroblasts from normal mammary tissue adjacent to estrogen receptor positive primary breast cancers. Cell viability was determined using a 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycles were analyzed using flow cytometry. The proteins involving cell cycles and P13K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were then evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS MCF-10A co-cultured cells treated with E2, BBP, DBP, and DEHP exhibited a significant increase in cell viability using MTT assay. The expressions of P13K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR, as well as PDK1 expression, were significantly higher in MCF-10A cells treated with E2 and phthalates. E2, BBP, DBP, and DEHP significantly increased cell percentages in the S and G2/M phases. The significantly higher expression of cyclin D/CDK4, cyclin E/CDK2, cyclin A/CDK2, cyclin A/CDK1, and cyclin B/CDK1 in MCF-10A co-cultured cells were induced by E2 and these three phthalates. CONCLUSION These results provide consistent data regarding the potential role of phthalates exposure in the stimulating proliferation of normal breast cells, enhancing cell viability, and driving P13K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and cell cycle progression. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that phthalates may play a crucial role in breast tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Ping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, 259, Taiwan.
| | - Mei-Hua Chien
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hui Lee
- Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
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Li X, Luo Y, Huang Z, Wang Y, Wu J, Zhou S. Multifunctional Liposomes Remodeling Tumor Immune Microenvironment for Tumor Chemoimmunotherapy. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201327. [PMID: 37075716 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the treatment of solid tumors, the complex barriers composed of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) prevent drug delivery and T cells infiltration into tumor tissues. Although nanocarriers hold great prospects in drug delivery, fibrosis causes the biological barrier and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM) that impairs the anti-tumor efficacy of nanocarriers. Here, a small dendritic macromolecule loaded with doxorubicin (PAMAM-ss-DOX) (DP) is synthesized and encapsulated into pH-responsive nanoliposome, together with adjuvant toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) agonist resiquimod (R848) and losartan (LOS). The pH-responsive liposome facilitates the simultaneous and effective delivery of DP, R848, and LOS, which can decompose and release these drugs under the acidic tumor microenvironment. The small sized DP (≈25 nm) with the ability to penetrate into tumor tissue and immunogenic cell death (ICD) can reverse the ITM and elicit immune response, which is equivalent to the effect of an in situ vaccine. Moreover, LOS reduces the activity of CAFs effectively, which can contribute to the infiltration of T cells. Therefore, this nano-platform provides a new therapeutic strategy for enhanced chemo-immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Yang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Zhengjie Huang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Jian Wu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Shaobing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
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17
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Zhong Y, Li F, Zhang S, Yang Z, Ren X, Cao X, Xu Y, Guo D, Zhou Y, Mao F, Shen S, Sun Q. Syndecan-1 as an immunogene in Triple-negative breast cancer: regulation tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte in the tumor microenviroment and EMT by TGFb1/Smad pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:76. [PMID: 37069585 PMCID: PMC10111802 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02917-7] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors are the most studied forms of immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The Cancer Genome Map (TCGA) and METABRIC project provide large-scale cancer samples that can be used for comprehensive and reliable immunity-related gene research. METHODS We analyzed data from TCGA and METABRIC and established an immunity-related gene prognosis model for breast cancer. The SDC1 expression in tumor and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) was then observed in 282 TNBC patients by immunohistochemistry. The effects of SDC1 on MDA-MB-231 proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated. Qualitative real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to identify mRNA and protein expression, respectively. RESULTS SDC1, as a key immunity-related gene, was significantly correlated with survival in the TCGA and METABRIC databases, while SDC1 was found to be highly expressed in TNBC in the METABRIC database. In the TNBC cohort, patients with high SDC1 expression in tumor cells and low expression in CAFs had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) and fewer tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). The downregulation of SDC1 decreased the proliferation of MDA-MB-231, while promoting the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells by reducing the gene expression of E-cadherin and TGFb1 and activating p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 expression. CONCLUSION SDC1 is a key immunity-related gene that is highly expressed TNBC patients. Patients with high SDC1 expression in tumors and low expression in CAFs had poor prognoses and low TILs. Our findings also suggest that SDC1 regulates the migration of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through a TGFb1-Smad and E-cadherin-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhong
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Fangyuan Li
- Medical Research Central, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Sumei Zhang
- Medical Research Central, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhenli Yang
- Cell Resource Center, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Dongdansantiao, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xinyu Ren
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xi Cao
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yali Xu
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Dan Guo
- Medical Research Central, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yidong Zhou
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Feng Mao
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Songjie Shen
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Hu C, Zhang Y, Wu C, Huang Q. Heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: opportunities and challenges. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:124. [PMID: 37055382 PMCID: PMC10102018 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01428-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the most severe and complex malignant diseases with a high level of heterogeneity and, as a result, a wide range of therapeutic responses, regardless of clinical stage. Tumor progression depends on ongoing co-evolution and cross-talk with the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), embedded in the extracellular matrix (ECM), induce tumor growth and survival by interacting with tumor cells. Origin of CAFs is quite varied, and the activation patterns of CAFs are also heterogeneous. Crucially, the heterogeneity of CAFs appears to play a key role in ongoing tumor expansion, including facilitating proliferation, enhancing angiogenesis and invasion, and promoting therapy resistance, through the production of cytokines, chemokines, and other tumor-promotive molecules in the TME. This review describes the various origin and heterogeneous activation mechanisms of CAFs, and biological heterogeneity of CAFs in HNSCC is also included. Moreover, we have highlighted versatility of CAFs heterogeneity in HNSCC progression, and have discussed different tumor-promotive functions of CAFs respectively. In the future, it is a promising strategy for the therapy of HNSCC that specifically targeting tumor-promoting CAF subsets or the tumor-promoting functional targets of CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunping Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 200031, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 200031, Shanghai, China.
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Zheng D, Zhou J, Qian L, Liu X, Chang C, Tang S, Zhang H, Zhou S. Biomimetic nanoparticles drive the mechanism understanding of shear-wave elasticity stiffness in triple negative breast cancers to predict clinical treatment. Bioact Mater 2023; 22:567-587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Yaghjyan L, Heng YJ, Baker GM, Rosner BA, Tamimi RM. Associations of alcohol consumption with breast tissue composition. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:33. [PMID: 36998083 PMCID: PMC10061845 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01638-z] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated the associations of alcohol with percentage of epithelium, stroma, fibroglandular tissue (epithelium + stroma), and fat in benign breast biopsy samples. METHODS We included 857 cancer-free women with biopsy-confirmed benign breast disease within the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHSII cohorts. Percentage of each tissue was measured on whole slide images using a deep-learning algorithm and then log-transformed. Alcohol consumption (recent and cumulative average) was assessed with semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Regression estimates were adjusted for known breast cancer risk factors. All tests were 2-sided. RESULTS Alcohol was inversely associated with % of stroma and fibroglandular tissue (recent ≥ 22 g/day vs. none: stroma: β = - 0.08, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] - 0.13; - 0.03; fibroglandular: β = - 0.08, 95% CI - 0.13; - 0.04; cumulative ≥ 22 g/day vs. none: stroma: β = - 0.08, 95% CI - 0.13; - 0.02; fibroglandular: β = - 0.09, 95% CI - 0.14; - 0.04) and positively associated with fat % (recent ≥ 22 g/day vs. none: β = 0.30, 95% CI 0.03; 0.57; cumulative ≥ 22 g/day vs. none: β = 0.32, 95% CI 0.04; 0.61). In stratified analysis, alcohol consumption was not associated with tissue measures in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, cumulative alcohol use was inversely associated with % of stroma and fibroglandular tissue and positively associated with fat % (≥ 22 g/day vs. none: stroma: β = - 0.16, 95% CI - 0.28; - 0.07; fibroglandular: β = - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.28; - 0.07; fat: β = 0.61, 95% CI 0.01; 1.22), with similar results for recent alcohol use. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with smaller % of stroma and fibroglandular tissue and a greater % of fat in postmenopausal women. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lusine Yaghjyan
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd., Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Yujing J Heng
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabrielle M Baker
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bernard A Rosner
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rulla M Tamimi
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Wieder R. Fibroblasts as Turned Agents in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072014. [PMID: 37046676 PMCID: PMC10093070 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiated epithelial cells reside in the homeostatic microenvironment of the native organ stroma. The stroma supports their normal function, their G0 differentiated state, and their expansion/contraction through the various stages of the life cycle and physiologic functions of the host. When malignant transformation begins, the microenvironment tries to suppress and eliminate the transformed cells, while cancer cells, in turn, try to resist these suppressive efforts. The tumor microenvironment encompasses a large variety of cell types recruited by the tumor to perform different functions, among which fibroblasts are the most abundant. The dynamics of the mutual relationship change as the sides undertake an epic battle for control of the other. In the process, the cancer “wounds” the microenvironment through a variety of mechanisms and attracts distant mesenchymal stem cells to change their function from one attempting to suppress the cancer, to one that supports its growth, survival, and metastasis. Analogous reciprocal interactions occur as well between disseminated cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment, where the microenvironment attempts to eliminate cancer cells or suppress their proliferation. However, the altered microenvironmental cells acquire novel characteristics that support malignant progression. Investigations have attempted to use these traits as targets of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Oliveira C, Oliveira F, Vaz SC, Marques HP, Cardoso F. Prediction of pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy using baseline FDG PET heterogeneity features in breast cancer. Br J Radiol 2023; 96:20220655. [PMID: 36867773 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Complete pathological response to neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NAST) in some subtypes of breast cancer (BC) has been used as a surrogate of long-term outcome. The possibility of predicting BC pathological response to NAST based on the baseline 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET), without the need of an interim study, is a focus of recent discussion. This review summarises the characteristics and results of the available studies regarding the potential impact of heterogeneity features of the primary tumour burden on baseline FDG PET in predicting pathological response to NAST in BC patients. Literature search was conducted on PubMed database and relevant data from each selected study were collected. A total of 13 studies were eligible for inclusion, all of them published over the last 5 years. Eight out of 13 analysed studies indicated an association between FDG PET-based tumour uptake heterogeneity features and prediction of response to NAST. When features associated with predicting response to NAST were derived, these varied between studies. Therefore, definitive reproducible findings across series were difficult to establish. This lack of consensus may reflect the heterogeneity and low number of included series. The clinical relevance of this topic justifies further investigation about the predictive role of baseline FDG PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Oliveira
- Nuclear Medicine-Radiopharmacology, Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Francisco Oliveira
- Nuclear Medicine-Radiopharmacology, Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia C Vaz
- Nuclear Medicine-Radiopharmacology, Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Fátima Cardoso
- Breast Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
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23
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Dong L, Sun Q, Song F, Song X, Lu C, Li Y, Song X. Identification and verification of eight cancer-associated fibroblasts related genes as a prognostic signature for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14003. [PMID: 36938461 PMCID: PMC10018481 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can exert their immunosuppressive effects by secreting various effectors that are involved in the regulation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells as well as other immune components in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), thereby promoting tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Although a large number of studies suggest that CAFs play a key regulatory role in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), there are limited studies on the relevance of CAFs to the prognosis of HNSCC. In this study, we identified a prognostic signature containing eight CAF-related genes for HNSCC by univariate Cox analysis, lasso regression, stepwise regression, and multivariate Cox analysis. Our validation in primary cultures of CAFs from human HNSCC and four human HNSCC cell lines confirmed that these eight genes are indeed characteristic markers of CAFs. Immune cell infiltration differences analysis between high-risk and low-risk groups according to the eight CAF-related genes signature hinted at CAFs regulatory roles in the TIME, further revealing its potential role on prognosis. The signature of the eight CAF-related genes was validated in different independent validation cohorts and all showed that it was a valid marker for prognosis. The significantly higher overall survival (OS) in the low-risk group compared to the high-risk group was confirmed by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis, suggesting that the signature of CAF-related genes can be used as a non-invasive predictive tool for HNSCC prognosis. The low-risk group had significantly higher levels of tumor-killing immune cell infiltration, as confirmed by CIBERSORT analysis, such as CD8+ T cells, follicular helper T cells, and Dendritic cells (DCs) in the low-risk group. In contrast, the level of infiltration of pro-tumor cells such as M0 macrophages and activated Mast cells (MCs) was lower. It is crucial to delve into the complex mechanisms between CAFs and immune cells to find potential regulatory targets and may provide new evidence for subsequently targeted immunotherapy. These results suggest that the signature of the eight CAF-related genes is a powerful indicator for the assessment of the TIME of HNSCC. It may provide a new and reliable potential indicator for clinicians to predict the prognosis of HNSCC, which may be used to guide treatment and clinical decision-making in HNSCC patients. Meanwhile, CAF-related genes are expected to become tumor biomarkers and effective targets for HNSCC.
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Key Words
- CAFs, Cancer-associated fibroblasts
- CSCs, cancer stem cells
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts
- DCs, Dendritic cells
- EMT, epithelial mesenchymal transition
- GEO, Gene Expression Omnibus
- GEPIA, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis
- GO, Gene Ontology
- GSEA, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis
- HNSCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- HR, Hazard Ratio
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- Immune cell infiltration
- K-M, Kaplan-Meier
- KEGG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
- MCs, Mast cells
- NFs, normal fibroblasts
- OS, overall survival
- OSCC, oral squamous cell carcinomas
- Prognostic signature
- ROC, receiver operating characteristic
- TAMs, tumor-associated macrophages
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- TIME, tumor immune microenvironment
- TME, tumor microenvironment
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Dong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Fei Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Congxian Lu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
- Corresponding author. Yumei Li: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, No.20, Yuhuangding East Road, Zhifu District, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China.
| | - Xicheng Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
- Corresponding author. Xicheng Song: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, No.20, Yuhuangding East Road, Zhifu District, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China.
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24
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts induce growth and radioresistance of breast cancer cells through paracrine IL-6. Cell Death Dis 2023; 9:6. [PMID: 36635302 PMCID: PMC9837084 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In breast cancer, the most numerous stromal cells are cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are associated with disease progression and chemoresistance. However, few studies have explored the function of CAFs in breast cancer cell radiosensitivity. Here, CAF-derived conditioned media was observed to induce breast cancer cell growth and radioresistance. CAFs secrete interleukin 6 (IL-6) which activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway, thus promoting the growth and radioresistance of breast cancer cells. Treatment with an inhibitor of STAT3 or an IL-6 neutralizing antibody blocked the growth and radioresistance induced by CAFs. In in vivo mouse models, tocilizumab (an IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody) abrogated CAF-induced growth and radioresistance. Moreover, in breast cancer, a poor response to radiotherapy was associated with IL-6 and p-STAT3 expression. These results indicated that IL-6 mediates cross-talk between breast cancer cells and CAFs in the tumor microenvironment. Our results identified the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway as an important therapeutic target in breast cancer radiotherapy.
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25
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Miao X, Wang B, Chen K, Ding R, Wu J, Pan Y, Ji P, Ye B, Xiang M. Perspectives of lipid metabolism reprogramming in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An overview. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1008361. [PMID: 36185215 PMCID: PMC9524856 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1008361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies showed that lipid metabolism reprogramming contributes to tumorigenicity and malignancy by interfering energy production, membrane formation, and signal transduction in cancers. HNSCCs are highly reliant on aerobic glycolysis and glutamine metabolism. However, the mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism reprogramming in HNSCCs remains obscure. The present review summarizes and discusses the "vital" cellular signaling roles of the lipid metabolism reprogramming in HNSCCs. We also address the differences between HNSCCs regions caused by anatomical heterogeneity. We enumerate these recent findings into our current understanding of lipid metabolism reprogramming in HNSCCs and introduce the new and exciting therapeutic implications of targeting the lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangwan Miao
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Beilei Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaili Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jichang Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Pan
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peilin Ji
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Ye
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingliang Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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26
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Liu Q, Tang L, Chen M. Ultrasound Strain Elastography and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Predicting the Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Nomogram Integrating Ki-67 and Ultrasound Features. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2022; 41:2191-2201. [PMID: 34888900 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore whether conventional elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with histopathology can monitor the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer (BC), and develop a Nomogram prediction model monitoring response to NAC. METHODS From February 2010 to November 2015, 91 BC patients who received NAC were recruited. The maximum diameter, stiffness, and CEUS features were assessed. Core biopsy, surgical pathology immunophenotype, and Miller-Payne (MP) evaluation were documented. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS There were 37 cases showing pathological complete response (pCR) and 54 of non-pCR. The changes of maximal diameter were correlated with MP (P < .05). The sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), and area under the ROC curve (AUC) of baseline size predicting pCR were 57.40%, 70.30%, and 0.64 (P = .024). Baseline Ki-67 index of pCR group is significantly higher than that of non-pCR group (P = .029), and the ROC analysis of baseline Ki-67 indicates the SEN, SPE, and AUC of 51.70%, 78.00%, and 0.638 (P = .050). When combined with size, CEUS features, stiffness, and Ki-67 of baseline, the ROC curve shows good performance with SEN, SPE, and AUC of 70.00%, 76.19%, 0.821 (P = .004). Incorporating the change of characteristics into multivariate regression analysis, the results demonstrate excellent performance (SEN 100.00%, SPE 95.24%, AUC 0.986, P = .000). CONCLUSIONS The change of the maximum size was correlated with MP score, which can provide reference to predict efficacy of NAC and evaluate residual lesions. When combining with elastography, CEUS, and Ki-67, better performance in predicting pathological response was shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Tang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Chen
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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27
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Ahn S, Kwon A, Huh YH, Rhee S, Song WK. Tumor-derived miR-130b-3p induces cancer-associated fibroblast activation by targeting SPIN90 in luminal A breast cancer. Oncogenesis 2022; 11:47. [PMID: 35948548 PMCID: PMC9365846 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-022-00422-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) interact closely with cancer cells to promote tumor development. Downregulation of SPIN90 in CAFs has been reported to facilitate breast cancer progression, but the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that miR-130b-3p directly downregulates SPIN90 in stromal fibroblasts, leading to their differentiation into CAFs. As the decrease of SPIN90 in CAFs was shown to be more prominent in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast tumors in this study, miR-130b-3p was selected by bioinformatics analysis of data from patients with ER-positive breast cancer. Ectopic expression of miR-130b-3p in fibroblasts accelerated their differentiation to CAFs that promote cancer cell motility; this was associated with SPIN90 downregulation. We also found that miR-130b-3p was generated in luminal A-type cancer cells and activated fibroblasts after being secreted via exosomes from cancer cells. Finally, miR-130b-3p increased in SPIN90-downregulated tumor stroma of luminal A breast cancer patients and MCF7 cell-xenograft model mice. Our data demonstrate that miR-130b-3p is a key modulator that downregulates SPIN90 in breast CAFs. The inverse correlation between miR-130b-3p and SPIN90 in tumor stroma suggests that the miR-130b-3p/SPIN90 axis is clinically significant for CAF activation during breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyeon Ahn
- Cell Logistics Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahreum Kwon
- Cell Logistics Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Hyun Huh
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangmyung Rhee
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woo Keun Song
- Cell Logistics Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea.
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28
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Devericks EN, Carson MS, McCullough LE, Coleman MF, Hursting SD. The obesity-breast cancer link: a multidisciplinary perspective. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:607-625. [PMID: 35752704 PMCID: PMC9470704 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10043-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, exceptionally prevalent in the USA, promotes the incidence and progression of numerous cancer types including breast cancer. Complex, interacting metabolic and immune dysregulation marks the development of both breast cancer and obesity. Obesity promotes chronic low-grade inflammation, particularly in white adipose tissue, which drives immune dysfunction marked by increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production, alternative macrophage activation, and reduced T cell function. Breast tissue is predominantly composed of white adipose, and developing breast cancer readily and directly interacts with cells and signals from adipose remodeled by obesity. This review discusses the biological mechanisms through which obesity promotes breast cancer, the role of obesity in breast cancer health disparities, and dietary interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of obesity on breast cancer. We detail the intersection of obesity and breast cancer, with an emphasis on the shared and unique patterns of immune dysregulation in these disease processes. We have highlighted key areas of breast cancer biology exacerbated by obesity, including incidence, progression, and therapeutic response. We posit that interception of obesity-driven breast cancer will require interventions that limit protumor signaling from obese adipose tissue and that consider genetic, structural, and social determinants of the obesity–breast cancer link. Finally, we detail the evidence for various dietary interventions to offset obesity effects in clinical and preclinical studies of breast cancer. In light of the strong associations between obesity and breast cancer and the rising rates of obesity in many parts of the world, the development of effective, safe, well-tolerated, and equitable interventions to limit the burden of obesity on breast cancer are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Devericks
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Meredith S Carson
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lauren E McCullough
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael F Coleman
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen D Hursting
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. .,Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA. .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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29
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Al-Kharashi LA, Tulbah A, Arafah M, Eldali AM, Al-Tweigeri T, Aboussekhra A. High DNMT1 Expression in Stromal Fibroblasts Promotes Angiogenesis and Unfavorable Outcome in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:877219. [PMID: 35719957 PMCID: PMC9202650 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Active breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a leading role in breast carcinogenesis through promoting angiogenesis and resistance to therapy. Consequently, these active stromal cells have significant influence on patient outcome. Therefore, we explored here the role of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein in CAF-dependent promotion of angiogenesis as well as the prognostic power of DNMT1 level in both cancer cells and their adjacent CAFs in locally advanced breast cancer patients. Methods We applied immunohistochemistry to evaluate the level of DNMT1 in breast cancer tissues and their adjacent normal counterparts. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting were performed to investigate the role of DNMT1 in regulating the expression of pro-angiogenic genes in active CAFs and also their response to the DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine (DAC) as well as eugenol. Results We have shown that DNMT1 controls the pro-angiogenic potential of CAFs both in vitro and in vivo through positive regulation of the expression/secretion of 2 important pro-angiogenic factors VEGF-A and IL-8 as well as their upstream effectors mTOR and HIF-1α. To confirm this, we have shown that these DNMT1-related pro-angiogenic effects were suppressed by 2 DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine and eugenol. Interestingly, in a cohort of 100 tumors from locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC), we have shown that high expression of DNMT1 in tumor cells and their adjacent stromal fibroblasts is correlated with poor survival of these patients. Conclusion DNMT1 upregulation in breast stromal fibroblasts promotes angiogenesis via IL-8/VEGF-A upregulation, and correlates well with poor survival of LABC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla A Al-Kharashi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asma Tulbah
- Department of Pathology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maria Arafah
- Department of Pathology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelmonneim M Eldali
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taher Al-Tweigeri
- Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelilah Aboussekhra
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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30
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Zang S, Huang K, Li J, Ren K, Li T, He X, Tao Y, He J, Dong Z, Li M, He Q. Metabolic Reprogramming by Dual-targeting Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Tumor Chemo-Immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2022; 148:181-193. [PMID: 35649505 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-mediated metabolic support plays a vital role in tumorigenesis. The metabolic network between cancer cells and CAFs may serve as promising targets for cancer therapy. Here, aiming at targeted blockade of the metabolic support of CAFs to cancer cells, a biomimetic nanocarrier is designed by coating solid lipid nanoparticles containing chemotherapeutic paclitaxel (PTX) and glycolysis inhibitor PFK15 with hybrid membranes of cancer cells and activated fibroblasts. The nanoparticles possess outstanding dual-targeting ability which can simultaneously target cancer cells and CAFs. The encapsulated glycolysis inhibitor PFK15 can prevent the glycolysis of cancer cells and CAFs at the same time, thus increasing the chemosensitivity of cancer cells and blocking the metabolic support of CAFs to cancer cells. The results showed that the combination of PTX and PFK15 exhibited synergistic effects and inhibited tumor growth effectively. Moreover, the biomimetic nanoparticles obviously reduced the lactate production in the tumor microenvironment, leading to activated immune responses and enhanced tumor suppression. This work presents a facile strategy to destroy the metabolic network between cancer cells and CAFs, and proves the potential to elevate chemo-immunotherapy by glycolysis inhibition. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : In many solid tumors, most cancer cells produce energy and carry out biosynthesis through glycolysis, even in aerobic conditions. As the main tumor stromal cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) usually turn oxidative phosphorylation into aerobic glycolysis with metabolic reprogramming and provide high-energy glycolytic metabolites for cancer cells. The metabolic network between cancer cells and CAFs is regarded as the vulnerability among cancer cells. Moreover, lactate produced by cancer cells and CAFs through glycolysis often leads to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The present study provides an effective approach to destroy the metabolic network between cancer cells and CAFs and greatly improves the antitumor immune response by reducing lactate production, which serves as a promising strategy for combined chemo-immunotherapy mediated by glycolysis.
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31
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Chauhan D, Geetika S, Kumar S, Kumar R. Combined Interaction of Cellular and Extracellular Components Causes Genetic Cascade Activation in Breast Cancer Metastasis. Oncology 2022; 100:354-362. [PMID: 35342152 DOI: 10.1159/000524302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) consists of malignant cells as well as surrounding non-malignant cells-Fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mesenchymal stem cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM). This surrounding stroma is referred to as the Breast Tumor Microenvironment (BTME). The components of BTME interact with cancerous breast cells for the promotion of BC. The reciprocal cross-talk between BTME and neoplastic breast cells, through the secretion of chemicals, growth factors and chemokines, may lead to cell proliferation, migration, metastasis as well as immune response suppression. Multiple genetic loci, in association with stromal components, are linked to immunological stimuli to induce BC in ductal cells. These genes participate in tumor activation pathways and promote carcinogenesis via Fibroblast, Leukocyte, and Endothelial Cells-mediated responses. The collaborative effect of the cellular components and BTME-associated genes plays vital role in tumor initiation and metastasis of breast cells. This process involves genes which cause degenerative changes in ECM leading to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions (EMT), which finally causes metastatic BC. This shows that metastatic breast cancer results from combined activation of different cellular and extracellular components and their activity is primarily controlled by activation of genetic cascade. These components work simultaneously to cause metastatic BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disha Chauhan
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, India
| | - Saini Geetika
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, India
| | - Ranjit Kumar
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, India
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32
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Ray U, Pathoulas CL, Thirusangu P, Purcell JW, Kannan N, Shridhar V. Exploiting LRRC15 as a novel therapeutic target in cancer. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1675-1681. [PMID: 35260879 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-3734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abundant fibrotic stroma is a typical feature of most solid tumors, and stromal activation promotes oncogenesis, therapy resistance, and metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Therefore, targeting the tumor stroma in combination with standard-of-care therapies has become a promising therapeutic strategy in recent years. The leucine-rich repeat-containing protein (LRRC15) is involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and came into focus as a promising anti-cancer target owing to its overexpression in mesenchymal-derived tumors such as sarcoma, glioblastoma, and melanoma and in cancer-associated fibroblasts in the microenvironment of breast, head and neck, lung, and pancreatic tumors. Effective targeting of LRRC15 using specific antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) has the potential to improve the outcome of patients with LRRC15-positive cancers of mesenchymal origin or stromal desmoplasia. Moreover, LRRC15 expression may serve as a predictive biomarker that could be utilized in the preclinical assessment of cancer patients to support personalized clinical outcomes. This review focuses on the role of LRRC15 in cancer, including clinical trials involving LRRC15-targeted therapies, such as the ABBV-085 ADC for patients with LRRC15-positive tumors. This review spans perceived knowledge gaps and highlights the clinical avenues that need to be explored to provide better therapeutic outcomes in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - James W Purcell
- AbbVie (United States), South San Francisco, CA, United States
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Sharma V, Letson J, Furuta S. Fibrous stroma: Driver and passenger in cancer development. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabg3449. [PMID: 35258999 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abg3449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cumulative evidence shows that fibrogenic stroma and stiff extracellular matrix (ECM) not only result from tumor growth but also play pivotal roles in cellular transformation and tumor initiation. This emerging concept may largely account for the increased cancer risk associated with environmental fibrogenic agents, such as asbestos and silica, and with chronic conditions that are fibrogenic, such as obesity and diabetes. It may also contribute to poor outcomes in patients treated with certain chemotherapeutics that can promote fibrosis, such as bleomycin and methotrexate. Although the mechanistic details of this phenomenon are still being unraveled, we provide an overview of the experimental evidence linking fibrogenic stroma and tumor initiation. In this Review, we will summarize the causes and consequences of fibrous stroma and how this stromal cue is transmitted to the nuclei of parenchymal cells through a physical continuum from the ECM to chromatin, as well as ECM-dependent biochemical signaling that contributes to cellular transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Sharma
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Joshua Letson
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Saori Furuta
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA
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Buchsbaum JC, Espey MG, Obcemea C, Capala J, Ahmed M, Prasanna PG, Vikram B, Hong JA, Teicher B, Aryankalayil MJ, Bylicky MA, Coleman CN. Tumor Heterogeneity Research and Innovation in Biologically Based Radiation Therapy From the National Cancer Institute Radiation Research Program Portfolio. J Clin Oncol 2022; 40:1861-1869. [PMID: 35245101 DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.02579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Mollah F, Varamini P. Overcoming Therapy Resistance and Relapse in TNBC: Emerging Technologies to Target Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1921. [PMID: 34944738 PMCID: PMC8698629 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer. Often, TNBC is not effectively treated due to the lack of specificity of conventional therapies and results in relapse and metastasis. Breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (BCAFs) are the predominant cells that reside in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and regulate tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis, and therapy resistance. BCAFs secrete a wide range of factors, including growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines, some of which have been proved to lead to a poor prognosis and clinical outcomes. This TME component has been emerging as a promising target due to its crucial role in cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance. A number of therapeutic candidates are designed to effectively target BCAFs with a focus on their tumor-promoting properties and tumor immune response. This review explores various agents targeting BCAFs in TNBC, including small molecules, nucleic acid-based agents, antibodies, proteins, and finally, nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Mollah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Pegah Varamini
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Al-Jomah N, Al-Mohanna FH, Aboussekhra A. Tocilizumab suppresses the pro-carcinogenic effects of breast cancer- associated fibroblasts through inhibition of the STAT3/AUF1 pathway. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:1439-1448. [PMID: 34718441 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Active breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most influential cells in breast tumor microenvironment (TME), express/secrete high levels of the proinvasive/metastatic interleukin-6 (IL-6). Therefore, we have tested here the effect of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) inhibitor tocilizumab (Actemra) on different active breast CAFs. We have shown that tocilizumab potently and persistently suppresses the expression of various CAF biomarkers, namely α-SMA, SDF-1 as well as the STAT3 pathway and its downstream target AUF1. Tocilizumab also inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of active breast CAF cells. Additionally, tocilizumab repressed the ability of CAF cells in promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and enhancing the migratory/invasive and proliferative capacities of breast cancer cells in vitro. Importantly, these findings were confirmed in orthotopic humanized breast tumors in mice. Furthermore, tocilizumab suppressed the expression of the pro-angiogenic factor VEGF-A and its transactivator HIF-1α in CAF cells, and consequently inhibited the angiogenic-promoting effect of active CAFs both in vitro and in orthotopic tumor xenografts. These results indicate that inhibition of the IL-6/STAT3/AUF1 pathway by tocilizumab can normalize active breast CAFs and suppress their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects, which paves the way towards development of specific CAF-targeting therapy, badly needed for more efficient breast cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naif Al-Jomah
- Molecular Oncology Department, Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Falah H Al-Mohanna
- Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelilah Aboussekhra
- Molecular Oncology Department, Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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Elwakeel E, Weigert A. Breast Cancer CAFs: Spectrum of Phenotypes and Promising Targeting Avenues. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11636. [PMID: 34769066 PMCID: PMC8583860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Activationof the tumor-associated stroma to support tumor growth is a common feature observed in different cancer entities. This principle is exemplified by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are educated by the tumor to shape its development across all stages. CAFs can alter the extracellular matrix (ECM) and secrete a variety of different molecules. In that manner they have the capability to affect activation, survival, proliferation, and migration of other stromal cells and cancer cell themselves. Alteration of the ECM, desmoplasia, is a common feature of breast cancer, indicating a prominent role for CAFs in shaping tumor development in the mammary gland. In this review, we summarize the multiple roles CAFs play in mammary carcinoma. We discuss experimental and clinical strategies to interfere with CAFs function in breast cancer. Moreover, we highlight the issues arising from CAFs heterogeneity and the need for further research to identify CAFs subpopulation(s) that can be targeted to improve breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiman Elwakeel
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany;
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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Clarke R, Jones BC, Sevigny CM, Hilakivi-Clarke LA, Sengupta S. Experimental models of endocrine responsive breast cancer: strengths, limitations, and use. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2021; 4:762-783. [PMID: 34532657 PMCID: PMC8442978 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2021.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancers characterized by expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER; ESR1) represent approximately 70% of all new cases and comprise the largest molecular subtype of this disease. Despite this high prevalence, the number of adequate experimental models of ER+ breast cancer is relatively limited. Nonetheless, these models have proved very useful in advancing understanding of how cells respond to and resist endocrine therapies, and how the ER acts as a transcription factor to regulate cell fate signaling. We discuss the primary experimental models of ER+ breast cancer including 2D and 3D cultures of established cell lines, cell line- and patient-derived xenografts, and chemically induced rodent models, with a consideration of their respective general strengths and limitations. What can and cannot be learned easily from these models is also discussed, and some observations on how these models may be used more effectively are provided. Overall, despite their limitations, the panel of models currently available has enabled major advances in the field, and these models remain central to the ability to study mechanisms of therapy action and resistance and for hypothesis testing that would otherwise be intractable or unethical in human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Clarke
- The Hormel Institute and Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Brandon C Jones
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Catherine M Sevigny
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA.,The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Leena A Hilakivi-Clarke
- The Hormel Institute and Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Surojeet Sengupta
- The Hormel Institute and Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
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Neagu AN, Whitham D, Buonanno E, Jenkins A, Alexa-Stratulat T, Tamba BI, Darie CC. Proteomics and its applications in breast cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:4006-4049. [PMID: 34659875 PMCID: PMC8493401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is an individually unique, multi-faceted and chameleonic disease, an eternal challenge for the new era of high-integrated precision diagnostic and personalized oncomedicine. Besides traditional single-omics fields (such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics) and multi-omics contributions (proteogenomics, proteotranscriptomics or reproductomics), several new "-omics" approaches and exciting proteomics subfields are contributing to basic and advanced understanding of these "multiple diseases termed breast cancer": phenomics/cellomics, connectomics and interactomics, secretomics, matrisomics, exosomics, angiomics, chaperomics and epichaperomics, phosphoproteomics, ubiquitinomics, metalloproteomics, terminomics, degradomics and metadegradomics, adhesomics, stressomics, microbiomics, immunomics, salivaomics, materiomics and other biomics. Throughout the extremely complex neoplastic process, a Breast Cancer Cell Continuum Concept (BCCCC) has been modeled in this review as a spatio-temporal and holistic approach, as long as the breast cancer represents a complex cascade comprising successively integrated populations of heterogeneous tumor and cancer-associated cells, that reflect the carcinoma's progression from a "driving mutation" and formation of the breast primary tumor, toward the distant secondary tumors in different tissues and organs, via circulating tumor cell populations. This BCCCC is widely sustained by a Breast Cancer Proteomic Continuum Concept (BCPCC), where each phenotype of neoplastic and tumor-associated cells is characterized by a changing and adaptive proteomic profile detected in solid and liquid minimal invasive biopsies by complex proteomics approaches. Such a profile is created, beginning with the proteomic landscape of different neoplastic cell populations and cancer-associated cells, followed by subsequent analysis of protein biomarkers involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and intravasation, circulating tumor cell proteomics, and, finally, by protein biomarkers that highlight the extravasation and distant metastatic invasion. Proteomics technologies are producing important data in breast cancer diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers discovery and validation, are detecting genetic aberrations at the proteome level, describing functional and regulatory pathways and emphasizing specific protein and peptide profiles in human tissues, biological fluids, cell lines and animal models. Also, proteomics can identify different breast cancer subtypes and specific protein and proteoform expression, can assess the efficacy of cancer therapies at cellular and tissular level and can even identify new therapeutic target proteins in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca-Narcisa Neagu
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of IașiCarol I bvd. No. 22, Iași 700505, Romania
| | - Danielle Whitham
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Emma Buonanno
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Avalon Jenkins
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
- Department of Medical Oncology-Radiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and PharmacyIndependenței bvd. No. 16-18, Iași 700021, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Center for Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and PharmacyMihail Kogălniceanu Street No. 9-13, Iași 700454, Romania
| | - Costel C Darie
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
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Crosstalk between Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth and Immunosuppression of Breast Cancer. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:8840066. [PMID: 34337083 PMCID: PMC8294979 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8840066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Signals from the tumor microenvironment (TME) have a profound influence on the maintenance and progression of cancers. Chronic inflammation and the infiltration of immune cells in breast cancer (BC) have been strongly associated with early carcinogenic events and a switch to a more immunosuppressive response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal component and can modulate tumor progression according to their secretomes. The immune cells including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and helper T cell (Th)), monocyte-infiltrating cells (MICs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), mast cells (MCs), and natural killer cells (NKs) play an important part in the immunological balance, fluctuating TME between protumoral and antitumoral responses. In this review article, we have summarized the impact of these immunological players together with CAF secreted substances in driving BC progression. We explain the crosstalk of CAFs and tumor-infiltrating immune cells suppressing antitumor response in BC, proposing these cellular entities as predictive markers of poor prognosis. CAF-tumor-infiltrating immune cell interaction is suggested as an alternative therapeutic strategy to regulate the immunosuppressive microenvironment in BC.
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Wang X, Wang X, Xu M, Sheng W. Effects of CAF-Derived MicroRNA on Tumor Biology and Clinical Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133160. [PMID: 34202583 PMCID: PMC8268754 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), prominent cell components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in most types of solid tumor, play an essential role in tumor cell growth, proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, single-strand RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression by post-transcription modification. Increasing evidence has suggested the dysregulation of miRNAs in CAFs, which facilitates the conversion of normal fibroblasts (NFs) into CAFs, then enhances the tumor-promoting capacity of CAFs. To understand the process of tumor progression, as well as the development of chemoresistance, it is important to explore the regulatory function of CAF-derived miRNAs and the associated molecular mechanisms, which may become potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and targets of anti-tumor therapeutics. In this review, we describe miRNAs that are differentially expressed by NFs and CAFs, summarize the modulating role of CAF-derived miRNAs in fibroblast activation and tumor advance, and eventually identify a potential clinical application for CAF-derived miRNAs as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in several tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong’an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.W.); (X.W.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong’an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.W.); (X.W.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Midie Xu
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong’an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.W.); (X.W.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (M.X.); (W.S.); Tel.: +86-21-64175590 (M.X. & W.S.); Fax: +86-21-64174774 (M.X. & W.S.)
| | - Weiqi Sheng
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong’an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.W.); (X.W.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (M.X.); (W.S.); Tel.: +86-21-64175590 (M.X. & W.S.); Fax: +86-21-64174774 (M.X. & W.S.)
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Pradhan RN, Krishnamurty AT, Fletcher AL, Turley SJ, Müller S. A bird's eye view of fibroblast heterogeneity: A pan-disease, pan-cancer perspective. Immunol Rev 2021; 302:299-320. [PMID: 34164824 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts, custodians of tissue architecture and function, are no longer considered a monolithic entity across tissues and disease indications. Recent advances in single-cell technologies provide an unrestricted, high-resolution view of fibroblast heterogeneity that exists within and across tissues. In this review, we summarize a compendium of single-cell transcriptomic studies and provide a comprehensive accounting of fibroblast subsets, many of which have been described to occupy specific niches in tissues at homeostatic and pathologic states. Understanding this heterogeneity is particularly important in the context of cancer, as the diverse cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are directly impacted by the expression phenotypes of their predecessors. Relationships between these heterogeneous populations often accompany and influence response to therapy in cancer and fibrosis. We further highlight the importance of integrating single-cell studies to deduce common fibroblast phenotypes across disease states, which will facilitate the identification of common signaling pathways, gene regulatory programs, and cell surface markers that are going to advance drug discovery and targeting.
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Fernández-Nogueira P, Fuster G, Gutierrez-Uzquiza Á, Gascón P, Carbó N, Bragado P. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Breast Cancer Treatment Response and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3146. [PMID: 34201840 PMCID: PMC8268405 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BrCa) is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, with about one million new cases diagnosed each year. In spite of the improvements in diagnosis, early detection and treatment, there is still a high incidence of mortality and failure to respond to current therapies. With the use of several well-established biomarkers, such as hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), as well as genetic analysis, BrCa patients can be categorized into multiple subgroups: Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-enriched, and Basal-like, with specific treatment strategies. Although chemotherapy and targeted therapies have greatly improved the survival of patients with BrCa, there is still a large number of patients who relapse or who fail to respond. The role of the tumor microenvironment in BrCa progression is becoming increasingly understood. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the principal population of stromal cells in breast tumors. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of CAFs' role in altering the tumor response to therapeutic agents as well as in fostering metastasis in BrCa. In addition, we also review the available CAFs-directed molecular therapies and their potential implications for BrCa management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Fernández-Nogueira
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (G.F.); (P.G.); (N.C.)
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Fuster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (G.F.); (P.G.); (N.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry & Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Vic, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Álvaro Gutierrez-Uzquiza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pere Gascón
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (G.F.); (P.G.); (N.C.)
| | - Neus Carbó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (G.F.); (P.G.); (N.C.)
| | - Paloma Bragado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Sadras F, Stewart TA, Robitaille M, Peters AA, Croft PKD, Soon PS, Saunus JM, Lakhani SR, Roberts-Thomson SJ, Monteith GR. Altered Calcium Influx Pathways in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060680. [PMID: 34208665 PMCID: PMC8234491 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060680] [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: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent an important component of the tumour microenvironment and are implicated in disease progression. Two outstanding questions in cancer biology are how CAFs arise and how they might be targeted therapeutically. The calcium signal also has an important role in tumorigenesis. To date, the role of calcium signalling pathways in the induction of the CAF phenotype remains unexplored. A CAF model was generated through exogenous transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) stimulation of the normal human mammary fibroblast cell line, HMF3S (HMF3S-CAF), and changes in calcium signalling were investigated. Functional changes in HMF3S-CAF calcium signalling pathways were assessed using a fluorescent indicator, gene expression, gene-silencing and pharmacological approaches. HMF3S-CAF cells demonstrated functionally altered calcium influx pathways with reduced store-operated calcium entry. In support of a calcium signalling switch, two voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) family members, CaV1.2 and CaV3.2, were upregulated in HMF3S-CAFs and a subset of patient-derived breast CAFs. Both siRNA-mediated silencing and pharmacological inhibition of CaV1.2 or CaV3.2 significantly impaired CAF activation in HMF3S cells. Our findings show that VGCCs contribute to TGFβ1-mediated induction of HMF3S-CAF cells and both transcriptional interference and pharmacological antagonism of CaV1.2 and CaV3.2 inhibit CAF induction. This suggests a potential therapeutic role for targeting calcium signalling in breast CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Sadras
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (F.S.); (M.R.); (A.A.P.); (S.J.R.-T.)
| | - Teneale A. Stewart
- Mater Research, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Mélanie Robitaille
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (F.S.); (M.R.); (A.A.P.); (S.J.R.-T.)
| | - Amelia A. Peters
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (F.S.); (M.R.); (A.A.P.); (S.J.R.-T.)
| | - Priyakshi Kalita-de Croft
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.K.-d.C.); (J.M.S.); (S.R.L.)
| | - Patsy S. Soon
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia;
- Department of Surgery, Bankstown Hospital, Bankstown, NSW 2200, Australia
- Medical Oncology Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Jodi M. Saunus
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.K.-d.C.); (J.M.S.); (S.R.L.)
| | - Sunil R. Lakhani
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (P.K.-d.C.); (J.M.S.); (S.R.L.)
- Pathology Queensland, The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Sarah J. Roberts-Thomson
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (F.S.); (M.R.); (A.A.P.); (S.J.R.-T.)
| | - Gregory R. Monteith
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (F.S.); (M.R.); (A.A.P.); (S.J.R.-T.)
- Mater Research, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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Ren G, Zheng X, Sharma V, Letson J, Nestor-Kalinoski AL, Furuta S. Loss of Nitric Oxide Induces Fibrogenic Response in Organotypic 3D Co-Culture of Mammary Epithelia and Fibroblasts-An Indicator for Breast Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112815. [PMID: 34198735 PMCID: PMC8201212 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112815] [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: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Fibrosis, which is often caused by chronic diseases and environmental substances, is closely associated with cancer. Thus, the development of a robust method allowing for deep studies of the linkage between fibrosis and cancer is essential. Here, we tested whether our novel three-dimensional (3D) co-culture of breast epithelia and fibroblasts would be a suitable model for that purpose. We compared the phenotypic effects of L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) production, on 3D mono- and co-cultures. We previously reported that prolonged NO depletion with L-NAME caused fibrosis and tumorigenesis in mouse mammary glands. Such in vivo effects of L-NAME were well recapitulated in 3D co-cultures, but not in 3D mono-cultures of epithelia and fibroblasts. These results support not only the essential roles of the presence of the stroma in cancer development, but also the utility of this co-culture in studying the causal relationship between fibrosis and cancer. Abstract Excessive myofibroblast activation, which leads to dysregulated collagen deposition and the stiffening of the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays pivotal roles in cancer initiation and progression. Cumulative evidence attests to the cancer-causing effects of a number of fibrogenic factors found in the environment, diseases and drugs. While identifying such factors largely depends on epidemiological studies, it would be of great importance to develop a robust in vitro method to demonstrate the causal relationship between fibrosis and cancer. Here, we tested whether our recently developed organotypic three-dimensional (3D) co-culture would be suitable for that purpose. This co-culture system utilizes the discontinuous ECM to separately culture mammary epithelia and fibroblasts in the discrete matrices to model the complexity of the mammary gland. We observed that pharmaceutical deprivation of nitric oxide (NO) in 3D co-cultures induced myofibroblast differentiation of the stroma as well as the occurrence of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the parenchyma. Such in vitro response to NO deprivation was unique to co-cultures and closely mimicked the phenotype of NO-depleted mammary glands exhibiting stromal desmoplasia and precancerous lesions undergoing EMT. These results suggest that this novel 3D co-culture system could be utilized in the deep mechanistic studies of the linkage between fibrosis and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Ren
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (G.R.); (X.Z.); (V.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Xunzhen Zheng
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (G.R.); (X.Z.); (V.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Vandana Sharma
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (G.R.); (X.Z.); (V.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Joshua Letson
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (G.R.); (X.Z.); (V.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Andrea L. Nestor-Kalinoski
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Saori Furuta
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (G.R.); (X.Z.); (V.S.); (J.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Giorello MB, Borzone FR, Labovsky V, Piccioni FV, Chasseing NA. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the Breast Tumor Microenvironment. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:135-155. [PMID: 33398516 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Years of investigation have shed light on a theory in which breast tumor epithelial cells are under the effect of the stromal microenvironment. This review aims to discuss recent findings concerning the phenotypic and functional characteristics of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their involvement in tumor evolution, as well as their potential implications for anti-cancer therapy. In this manuscript, we reviewed that CAFs play a fundamental role in initiation, growth, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer, and also serve as biomarkers in the clinical diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Giorello
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Francisco Raúl Borzone
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vivian Labovsky
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Flavia Valeria Piccioni
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular y Nuevos Blancos Terapéuticos (IBYME) y Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norma Alejandra Chasseing
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP, 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Maia A, Gu Z, Koch A, Berdiel‐Acer M, Will R, Schlesner M, Wiemann S. IFNβ1 secreted by breast cancer cells undergoing chemotherapy reprograms stromal fibroblasts to support tumour growth after treatment. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1308-1329. [PMID: 33476079 PMCID: PMC8096792 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy (CTX) remains the standard of care for most aggressive tumours, including breast cancer (BC). In BC chemotherapeutic regimens, the maximum tolerated dose of cytotoxic drugs is administered at regular intervals, and cancer cells can re-grow or adapt during the resting periods between cycles. The impact of the tumour microenvironment on the fate of cancer cells after CTX remains poorly understood. Here, we show that paracrine signalling from CTX-treated cancer cells to stromal fibroblasts can drive cancer cell recovery after cytotoxic drug withdrawal. Interferon β1 (IFNβ1) secreted by cancer cells following treatment with high doses of CTX instigates the acquisition of an anti-viral state in stromal fibroblasts. This state is associated with an expression pattern here referred to as interferon signature (IFNS), which encompasses several interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), including numerous pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. This crosstalk is an important driver of the expansion of BC cells after CTX, and IFNβ1 blockade in tumour cells abrogated their fibroblast-dependent recovery potential. Analysis of human breast carcinomas supported a link between CTX-induced IFNS in tumour stroma and poor response to CTX treatment. First, IFNβ1 expression in human breast carcinomas was found to inversely correlate with recurrence free survival (RFS). Second, using laser capture microdissection data sets, we show a higher expression of IFNS in the stromal tumour compartment compared to the epithelial one and this signature was found to be more prominent in more aggressive subtypes of BC (basal-like), pointing to a pro-tumorigenic role of this signature. Moreover, IFNS was associated with higher recurrence rates and a worse outcome in BC patients. Our study unravels a novel form of paracrine communication between cancer cells and fibroblasts that ultimately results in CTX resistance. Targeting this axis has the potential to improve CTX outcomes in patients with BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maia
- Division of Molecular Genome AnalysisGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Faculty of BiosciencesUniversity of HeidelbergGermany
| | - Zuguang Gu
- Computational OncologyMolecular Diagnostics ProgramNational Center for Tumour Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- DKFZ‐HIPO (Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology)Germany
| | - André Koch
- Department of Women's Health TübingenEberhard‐Karls‐UniversityTübingenGermany
| | - Mireia Berdiel‐Acer
- Division of Molecular Genome AnalysisGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Rainer Will
- Genomics and Proteomics Core FacilityGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Matthias Schlesner
- Bioinformatics and Omics Data AnalyticsGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefan Wiemann
- Division of Molecular Genome AnalysisGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
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Dieters-Castator D, Dantonio PM, Piaseczny M, Zhang G, Liu J, Kuljanin M, Sherman S, Jewer M, Quesnel K, Kang EY, Köbel M, Siegers GM, Leask A, Hess D, Lajoie G, Postovit LM. Embryonic protein NODAL regulates the breast tumor microenvironment by reprogramming cancer-derived secretomes. Neoplasia 2021; 23:375-390. [PMID: 33784590 PMCID: PMC8041663 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important mediator of breast cancer progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts constitute a major component of the TME and may originate from tissue-associated fibroblasts or infiltrating mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The mechanisms by which cancer cells activate fibroblasts and recruit MSCs to the TME are largely unknown, but likely include deposition of a pro-tumorigenic secretome. The secreted embryonic protein NODAL is clinically associated with breast cancer stage and promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and vascularization. Herein, we show that NODAL expression correlates with the presence of activated fibroblasts in human triple-negative breast cancers and that it directly induces Cancer-associated fibroblasts phenotypes. We further show that NODAL reprograms cancer cell secretomes by simultaneously altering levels of chemokines (e.g., CXCL1), cytokines (e.g., IL-6) and growth factors (e.g., PDGFRA), leading to alterations in MSC chemotaxis. We therefore demonstrate a hitherto unappreciated mechanism underlying the dynamic regulation of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola M Dantonio
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Matt Piaseczny
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Guihua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Miljan Kuljanin
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Sherman
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Jewer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Katherine Quesnel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Eun Young Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Martin Köbel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Andrew Leask
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - David Hess
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gilles Lajoie
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Impairment of cell adhesion and migration by inhibition of protein disulphide isomerases in three breast cancer cell lines. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:226652. [PMID: 33095243 PMCID: PMC7584814 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20193271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein disulphide isomerase A3 (PDIA3) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident disulphide isomerase and oxidoreductase with known substrates that include some extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. PDIA3 is up-regulated in invasive breast cancers and correlates in a mouse orthotopic xenograft model with breast cancer metastasis to bone. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigated the function of protein disulphide isomerases in attachment, spreading and migration of three human breast cancer lines representative of luminal (MCF-7) or basal (MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937) tumour phenotypes. Pharmacological inhibition by 16F16 decreased initial cell spreading more effectively than inhibition by PACMA-31. Cells displayed diminished cortical F-actin projections, stress fibres and focal adhesions. Cell migration was reduced in a quantified ‘scratch wound’ assay. To examine whether these effects might result from alterations to secreted proteins in the absence of functional PDIA3, adhesion and migration were quantified in the above cells exposed to media conditioned by wildtype (WT) or Pdia3−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The conditioned medium (CM) of Pdia3−/− MEFs was less effective in promoting cell spreading and F-actin organisation or supporting ‘scratch wound’ closure. Similarly, ECM prepared from HCC1937 cells after 16F16 inhibition was less effective than control ECM to support spreading of untreated HCC1937 cells. Overall, these results advance the concept that protein disulphide isomerases including PDIA3 drive the production of secreted proteins that promote a microenvironment favourable to breast cancer cell adhesion and motility, characteristics that are integral to tumour invasion and metastasis. Inhibition of PDIA3 or related isomerases may have potential for anti-metastatic therapies.
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50
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Persistent Inflammatory Stimulation Drives the Conversion of MSCs to Inflammatory CAFs That Promote Pro-Metastatic Characteristics in Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061472. [PMID: 33806906 PMCID: PMC8004890 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) are expressed simultaneously and have tumor-promoting roles in breast cancer. In parallel, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergo conversion at the tumor site to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are generally connected to enhanced tumor progression. Here, we determined the impact of consistent inflammatory stimulation on stromal cell plasticity. MSCs that were persistently stimulated by TNFα + IL-1β (generally 14-18 days) gained a CAF-like morphology, accompanied by prominent changes in gene expression, including in stroma/fibroblast-related genes. These CAF-like cells expressed elevated levels of vimentin and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and demonstrated significantly increased abilities to contract collagen gels. Moreover, they gained the phenotype of inflammatory CAFs, as indicated by the reduced expression of α smooth muscle actin (αSMA), increased proliferation, and elevated expression of inflammatory genes and proteins, primarily inflammatory chemokines. These inflammatory CAFs released factors that enhanced tumor cell dispersion, scattering, and migration; the inflammatory CAF-derived factors elevated cancer cell migration by stimulating the chemokine receptors CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR1/2 and Ras-activating receptors, expressed by the cancer cells. Together, these novel findings demonstrate that chronic inflammation can induce MSC-to-CAF conversion, leading to the generation of tumor-promoting inflammatory CAFs.
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