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Shultes PV, Weaver DT, Tadele DS, Barker-Clarke RJ, Scott JG. Cell-Cell Fusion in Cancer: The Next Cancer Hallmark? Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024:106649. [PMID: 39186970 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106649] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
In this review, we consider the role of cell-cell fusion in cancer development and progression through an evolutionary lens. We begin by summarizing the origins of fusion proteins (fusogens), of which there are many distinct classes that have evolved through convergent evolution. We then use an evolutionary framework to highlight how the persistence of fusion over generations and across different organisms can be attributed to traits that increase fitness secondary to fusion; these traits map well to the expanded hallmarks of cancer. By studying the tumor microenvironment, we can begin to identify the key selective pressures that may favor higher rates of fusion compared to healthy tissues. The paper concludes by discussing the increasing number of research questions surrounding fusion, recommendations for how to answer them, and the need for a greater interest in exploring cell fusion and evolutionary principles in oncology moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulameena V Shultes
- Translational Hematology and Oncology (THOR), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA; School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA
| | - Davis T Weaver
- Translational Hematology and Oncology (THOR), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA; School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA
| | - Dagim S Tadele
- Translational Hematology and Oncology (THOR), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA; Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rowan J Barker-Clarke
- Translational Hematology and Oncology (THOR), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA
| | - Jacob G Scott
- Translational Hematology and Oncology (THOR), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA; School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA; Physics Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio44120, USA.
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Strebinger D, Frangieh CJ, Friedrich MJ, Faure G, Macrae RK, Zhang F. Cell type-specific delivery by modular envelope design. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5141. [PMID: 37612276 PMCID: PMC10447438 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40788-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The delivery of genetic cargo remains one of the largest obstacles to the successful translation of experimental therapies, in large part due to the absence of targetable delivery vectors. Enveloped delivery modalities use viral envelope proteins, which determine tropism and induce membrane fusion. Here we develop DIRECTED (Delivery to Intended REcipient Cells Through Envelope Design), a modular platform that consists of separate fusion and targeting components. To achieve high modularity and programmable cell type specificity, we develop multiple strategies to recruit or immobilize antibodies on the viral envelope, including a chimeric antibody binding protein and a SNAP-tag enabling the use of antibodies or other proteins as targeting molecules. Moreover, we show that fusogens from multiple viral families are compatible with DIRECTED and that DIRECTED components can target multiple delivery chassis (e.g., lentivirus and MMLV gag) to specific cell types, including primary human T cells in PBMCs and whole blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Strebinger
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Chris J Frangieh
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Mirco J Friedrich
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Guilhem Faure
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Rhiannon K Macrae
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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Soprano E, Migliavacca M, López-Ferreiro M, Pelaz B, Polo E, Del Pino P. Fusogenic Cell-Derived nanocarriers for cytosolic delivery of cargo inside living cells. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 648:488-496. [PMID: 37302232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.015] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A surface-engineered cell-derived nanocarrier was developed for efficient cytosolic delivery of encapsulated biologically active molecules inside living cells. Thus, a combination of aromatic-labeled and cationic lipids, instrumental in providing fusogenic properties, was intercalated into the biomimetic shell of self-assembled nanocarriers formed from cell membrane extracts. The nanocarriers were loaded, as a proof of concept, with either bisbenzimide molecules, a fluorescently labeled dextran polymer, the bicyclic heptapeptide phalloidin, fluorescently labeled polystyrene nanoparticles or a ribonucleoprotein complex (Cas9/sgRNA). The demonstrated nanocarrieŕs fusogenic behavior relies on the fusogen-like properties imparted by the intercalated exogenous lipids, which allows for circumventing lysosomal storage, thereby leading to efficient delivery into the cytosolic milieu where cargo regains function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Soprano
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15705 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Martina Migliavacca
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15705 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Miriam López-Ferreiro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15705 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Beatriz Pelaz
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15705 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Ester Polo
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15705 Santiago de Compostela Spain.
| | - Pablo Del Pino
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15705 Santiago de Compostela Spain.
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Nishigami M, Uno Y, Tsumoto K. Microscopic Observation of Membrane Fusion between Giant Liposomes and Baculovirus Budded Viruses Activated by the Release of a Caged Proton. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:membranes13050507. [PMID: 37233568 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13050507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Baculovirus (Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus, AcMNPV) is an envelope virus possessing a fusogenic protein, GP64, which can be activated under weak acidic conditions close to those in endosomes. When the budded viruses (BVs) are bathed at pH 4.0 to 5.5, they can bind to liposome membranes with acidic phospholipids, and this results in membrane fusion. In the present study, using the caged-proton reagent 1-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl sulfate, sodium salt (NPE-caged-proton), which can be uncaged by irradiation with ultraviolet light, we triggered the activation of GP64 by lowering the pH and observed membrane fusion on giant liposomes (giant unilamellar vesicles, GUVs) by visualizing the lateral diffusion of fluorescence emitted from a lipophilic fluorochrome (octadecyl rhodamine B chloride, R18) that stained viral envelopes of BVs. In this fusion, entrapped calcein did not leak from the target GUVs. The behavior of BVs prior to the triggering of membrane fusion by the uncaging reaction was closely monitored. BVs appeared to accumulate around a GUV with DOPS, implying that BVs preferred phosphatidylserine. The monitoring of viral fusion triggered by the uncaging reaction could be a valuable tool for revealing the delicate behavior of viruses affected by various chemical and biochemical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misako Nishigami
- Division of Chemistry for Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Yuki Uno
- Division of Chemistry for Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Kanta Tsumoto
- Division of Chemistry for Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
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Dittmar T, Hass R. Intrinsic signalling factors associated with cancer cell-cell fusion. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:68. [PMID: 37016404 PMCID: PMC10071245 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01085-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular fusion e.g. between cancer cells and normal cells represents a stepwise process that is tightly regulated. During a pre-hybrid preparation program somatic cells and/or cancer cells are promoted to a pro-fusogenic state as a prerequisite to prepare a fusion process. A pro-fusogenic state requires significant changes including restructure of the cytoskeleton, e.g., by the formation of F-actin. Moreover, distinct plasma membrane lipids such as phosphatidylserine play an important role during cell fusion. In addition, the expression of distinct fusogenic factors such as syncytins and corresponding receptors are of fundamental importance to enable cellular mergers. Subsequent hybrid formation and fusion are followed by a post-hybrid selection process. Fusion among normal cells is important and often required during organismal development. Cancer cells fusion appears more rarely and is associated with the generation of new cancer hybrid cell populations. These cancer hybrid cells contribute to an elevated tumour plasticity by altered metastatic behaviour, changes in therapeutic and apoptotic responses, and even in the formation of cancer stem/ initiating cells. While many parts within this multi-step cascade are still poorly understood, this review article predominantly focusses on the intracellular necessities for fusion among cancer cells or with other cell populations of the tumour microenvironment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58448, Witten, Germany.
| | - Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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Dittmar T, Hass R. Extracellular Events Involved in Cancer Cell-Cell Fusion. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416071. [PMID: 36555709 PMCID: PMC9784959 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion among different cell populations represents a rare process that is mediated by both intrinsic and extracellular events. Cellular hybrid formation is relayed by orchestrating tightly regulated signaling pathways that can involve both normal and neoplastic cells. Certain important cell merger processes are often required during distinct organismal and tissue development, including placenta and skeletal muscle. In a neoplastic environment, however, cancer cell fusion can generate new cancer hybrid cells. Following survival during a subsequent post-hybrid selection process (PHSP), the new cancer hybrid cells express different tumorigenic properties. These can include elevated proliferative capacity, increased metastatic potential, resistance to certain therapeutic compounds, and formation of cancer stem-like cells, all of which characterize significantly enhanced tumor plasticity. However, many parts within this multi-step cascade are still poorly understood. Aside from intrinsic factors, cell fusion is particularly affected by extracellular conditions, including an inflammatory microenvironment, viruses, pH and ionic stress, hypoxia, and exosome signaling. Accordingly, the present review article will primarily highlight the influence of extracellular events that contribute to cell fusion in normal and tumorigenic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58448 Witten, Germany
- Correspondence: (T.D.); (R.H.); Tel.: +49-2302-926165 (T.D.); +49-5115-326070 (R.H.)
| | - Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: (T.D.); (R.H.); Tel.: +49-2302-926165 (T.D.); +49-5115-326070 (R.H.)
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