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Lu Y, Chen D, Wang B, Chai W, Yan M, Chen Y, Zhan Y, Yang R, Zhou E, Dai S, Li Y, Dong R, Zheng B. Single-cell landscape of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Oncogene 2024; 43:1353-1368. [PMID: 38459120 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a highly aggressive malignant soft tissue tumor with a poor prognosis; however, the identity and heterogeneity of tumor populations remain elusive. Here, eight major cell clusters were identified through the RNA sequencing of 79,569 individual cells of UPS. UPS originates from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and features undifferentiated subclusters. UPS subclusters were predicted to exist in two bulk RNA datasets, and had a prognostic value in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. The functional heterogeneity of malignant UPS cells and the immune microenvironment were characterized. Additionally, the fused cells were innovatively detected by expressing both monocyte/macrophage markers and other subcluster-associated genes. Based on the ligand-receptor interaction analysis, cellular interactions with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) were abundant. Furthermore, 73% of patients with UPS (48/66) showed positive EGFR expression, which was associated with a poor prognosis. EGFR blockade with cetuximab inhibited tumor growth in a patient-derived xenograft model. Our transcriptomic studies delineate the landscape of UPS intratumor heterogeneity and serve as a foundational resource for further discovery and therapeutic exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Lu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Deqian Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Bingnan Wang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, and Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenjun Chai
- Department of Animal Experimental Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Mingxia Yan
- Department of Animal Experimental Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, and Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yong Zhan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Ran Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Enqing Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Shuyang Dai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Rui Dong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Biqiang Zheng
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Shanghai Cancer Center, and Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Ali AM, Raza A. scRNAseq and High-Throughput Spatial Analysis of Tumor and Normal Microenvironment in Solid Tumors Reveal a Possible Origin of Circulating Tumor Hybrid Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1444. [PMID: 38611120 PMCID: PMC11010995 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071444] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastatic cancer is a leading cause of death in cancer patients worldwide. While circulating hybrid cells (CHCs) are implicated in metastatic spread, studies documenting their tissue origin remain sparse, with limited candidate approaches using one-two markers. Utilizing high-throughput single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, we identified tumor hybrid cells (THCs) co-expressing epithelial and macrophage markers and expressing a distinct transcriptome. Rarely, normal tissue showed these cells (NHCs), but their transcriptome was easily distinguishable from THCs. THCs with unique transcriptomes were observed in breast and colon cancers, suggesting this to be a generalizable phenomenon across cancer types. This study establishes a framework for HC identification in large datasets, providing compelling evidence for their tissue residence and offering comprehensive transcriptomic characterization. Furthermore, it sheds light on their differential function and identifies pathways that could explain their newly acquired invasive capabilities. THCs should be considered as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Mahmood Ali
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Edward P Evans MDS Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Azra Raza
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Edward P Evans MDS Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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3
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Patel RK, Parappilly M, Rahman S, Schwantes IR, Sewell M, Giske NR, Whalen RM, Durmus NG, Wong MH. The Hallmarks of Circulating Hybrid Cells. Results Probl Cell Differ 2024; 71:467-485. [PMID: 37996690 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-37936-9_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: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
While tumor metastases represent the primary driver of cancer-related mortality, our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie metastatic initiation and progression remains incomplete. Recent work identified a novel tumor-macrophage hybrid cell population, generated through the fusion between neoplastic and immune cells. These hybrid cells are detected in primary tumor tissue, peripheral blood, and in metastatic sites. In-depth analyses of hybrid cell biology indicate that they can exploit phenotypic properties of both parental tumor and immune cells, in order to intravasate into circulation, evade the immune response, and seed tumors at distant sites. Thus, it has become increasingly evident that the development and dissemination of tumor-immune hybrid cells play an intricate and fundamental role in the metastatic cascade and can provide invaluable information regarding tumor characteristics and patient prognostication. In this chapter, we review the current understanding of this novel hybrid cell population, the specific hallmarks of cancer that these cells exploit to promote cancer progression and metastasis, and discuss exciting new frontiers that remain to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranish K Patel
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Michael Parappilly
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Shahrose Rahman
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Issac R Schwantes
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Marisa Sewell
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Nicole R Giske
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Riley M Whalen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Naside Gozde Durmus
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Melissa H Wong
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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4
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Nicolazzo C, Francescangeli F, Magri V, Giuliani A, Zeuner A, Gazzaniga P. Is cancer an intelligent species? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1201-1218. [PMID: 37540301 PMCID: PMC10713722 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10123-0] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Some relevant emerging properties of intelligent systems are "adaptation to a changing environment," "reaction to unexpected situations," "capacity of problem solving," and "ability to communicate." Single cells have remarkable abilities to adapt, make adequate context-dependent decision, take constructive actions, and communicate, thus theoretically meeting all the above-mentioned requirements. From a biological point of view, cancer can be viewed as an invasive species, composed of cells that move from primary to distant sites, being continuously exposed to changes in the environmental conditions. Blood represents the first hostile habitat that a cancer cell encounters once detached from the primary site, so that cancer cells must rapidly carry out multiple adaptation strategies to survive. The aim of this review was to deepen the adaptation mechanisms of cancer cells in the blood microenvironment, particularly referring to four adaptation strategies typical of animal species (phenotypic adaptation, metabolic adaptation, niche adaptation, and collective adaptation), which together define the broad concept of biological intelligence. We provided evidence that the required adaptations (either structural, metabolic, and related to metastatic niche formation) and "social" behavior are useful principles allowing putting into a coherent frame many features of circulating cancer cells. This interpretative frame is described by the comparison with analog behavioral traits typical of various animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Nicolazzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Francescangeli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Magri
- Department of Pathology, Oncology and Radiology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giuliani
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Gazzaniga
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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5
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Heussner RT, Whalen RM, Anderson A, Theison H, Baik J, Gibbs S, Wong MH, Chang YH. Quantitative image analysis pipeline for detecting circulating hybrid cells in immunofluorescence images with human-level accuracy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554733. [PMID: 37662330 PMCID: PMC10473764 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Circulating hybrid cells (CHCs) are a newly discovered, tumor-derived cell population identified in the peripheral blood of cancer patients and are thought to contribute to tumor metastasis. However, identifying CHCs by immunofluorescence (IF) imaging of patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is a time-consuming and subjective process that currently relies on manual annotation by laboratory technicians. Additionally, while IF is relatively easy to apply to tissue sections, its application on PBMC smears presents challenges due to the presence of biological and technical artifacts. To address these challenges, we present a robust image analysis pipeline to automate the detection and analyses of CHCs in IF images. The pipeline incorporates quality control to optimize specimen preparation protocols and remove unwanted artifacts, leverages a β-variational autoencoder (VAE) to learn meaningful latent representations of single-cell images and employs a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to achieve human-level CHC detection. We created a rigorously labeled IF CHC dataset including 9 patients and 2 disease sites with the assistance of 10 annotators to evaluate the pipeline. We examined annotator variation and bias in CHC detection and then provided guidelines to optimize the accuracy of CHC annotation. We found that all annotators agreed on CHC identification for only 65% of the cells in the dataset and had a tendency to underestimate CHC counts for regions of interest (ROI) containing relatively large amounts of cells (>50,000) when using conventional enumeration methods. On the other hand, our proposed approach is unbiased to ROI size. The SVM classifier trained on the β-VAE encodings achieved an F1 score of 0.80, matching the average performance of annotators. Our pipeline enables researchers to explore the role of CHCs in cancer progression and assess their potential as a clinical biomarker for metastasis. Further, we demonstrate that the pipeline can identify discrete cellular phenotypes among PBMCs, highlighting its utility beyond CHCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert T. Heussner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Riley M. Whalen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Ashley Anderson
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Heather Theison
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Joseph Baik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Summer Gibbs
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Melissa H. Wong
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
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6
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Mirzayans R, Murray D. Intratumor Heterogeneity and Treatment Resistance of Solid Tumors with a Focus on Polyploid/Senescent Giant Cancer Cells (PGCCs). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11534. [PMID: 37511291 PMCID: PMC10380821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Single cell biology has revealed that solid tumors and tumor-derived cell lines typically contain subpopulations of cancer cells that are readily distinguishable from the bulk of cancer cells by virtue of their enormous size. Such cells with a highly enlarged nucleus, multiple nuclei, and/or multiple micronuclei are often referred to as polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), and may exhibit features of senescence. PGCCs may enter a dormant phase (active sleep) after they are formed, but a subset remain viable, secrete growth promoting factors, and can give rise to therapy resistant and tumor repopulating progeny. Here we will briefly discuss the prevalence and prognostic value of PGCCs across different cancer types, the current understanding of the mechanisms of their formation and fate, and possible reasons why these tumor repopulating "monsters" continue to be ignored in most cancer therapy-related preclinical studies. In addition to PGCCs, other subpopulations of cancer cells within a solid tumor (such as oncogenic caspase 3-activated cancer cells and drug-tolerant persister cancer cells) can also contribute to therapy resistance and pose major challenges to the delivery of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razmik Mirzayans
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - David Murray
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
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7
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Arena GO, Forte S, Abdouh M, Vanier C, Corbeil D, Lorico A. Horizontal Transfer of Malignant Traits and the Involvement of Extracellular Vesicles in Metastasis. Cells 2023; 12:1566. [PMID: 37371036 PMCID: PMC10297028 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastases are responsible for the vast majority of cancer deaths, yet most therapeutic efforts have focused on targeting and interrupting tumor growth rather than impairing the metastatic process. Traditionally, cancer metastasis is attributed to the dissemination of neoplastic cells from the primary tumor to distant organs through blood and lymphatic circulation. A thorough understanding of the metastatic process is essential to develop new therapeutic strategies that improve cancer survival. Since Paget's original description of the "Seed and Soil" hypothesis over a hundred years ago, alternative theories and new players have been proposed. In particular, the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by cancer cells and their uptake by neighboring cells or at distinct anatomical sites has been explored. Here, we will outline and discuss these alternative theories and emphasize the horizontal transfer of EV-associated biomolecules as a possibly major event leading to cell transformation and the induction of metastases. We will also highlight the recently discovered intracellular pathway used by EVs to deliver their cargoes into the nucleus of recipient cells, which is a potential target for novel anti-metastatic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goffredo O. Arena
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada;
- Fondazione Istituto G. Giglio, 90015 Cefalù, Italy
- Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy;
| | - Stefano Forte
- Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy;
| | - Mohamed Abdouh
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada;
| | - Cheryl Vanier
- Touro University Nevada College of Medicine, Henderson, NV 89014, USA;
| | - Denis Corbeil
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) and Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Aurelio Lorico
- Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy;
- Touro University Nevada College of Medicine, Henderson, NV 89014, USA;
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8
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Li M, Basile JR, Mallya S, Lin YL. The impact and outcomes of cancer-macrophage fusion. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:497. [PMID: 37264310 PMCID: PMC10236829 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10961-9] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer's hallmark feature is its ability to evolve, leading to metastasis and recurrence. Although genetic mutations and epigenetic changes have been implicated, they don't fully explain the leukocytic traits that many cancers develop. Cell fusion between cancer and somatic cells, particularly macrophages, has been suggested as an alternative pathway for cancer cells to obtain new traits by acquiring exogenous genetic material. METHODS This study aims to investigate the potential biological outcomes of tumor-myeloid cell fusion by generating tumor-macrophage hybrid cells. Two clones with markedly different tumorigenicity were selected, and RNA-seq was used to compare their RNA expressions with that of the control cells. Based on the results that the hybrid cells showed differential activation in several upstream regulator pathways that impact their biological behaviors, the hybrid cells' abilities to recruit stromal cells and establish angiogenesis as well as their cell cycle distributions were investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS Although both hybrid clones demonstrated p53 activation and reduced growth rates, they exhibited distinct cell cycle distributions and ability to grow in vivo. Notably, while one clone was highly tumorigenic, the other showed little tumorigenicity. Despite these differences, both hybrid clones were potent environmental modifiers, exhibiting significant abilities to recruit stromal and immune cells and establish angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that tumor-somatic cell fusion is a potent environmental modifier that can modulate tumor survival and evolution, despite its relatively low occurrence. These findings suggest that tumor-somatic cell fusion could be a promising target for developing new cancer therapies. Furthermore, this study provides an experimental animal platform to investigate cancer-myeloid fusion and highlights the potential role of tumor-somatic cell fusion in modulating the tumor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengtao Li
- Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, CHS 23-068B. 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - John R Basile
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland Dental School, 650 W. Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 7261, 21201, USA
| | - Sanjay Mallya
- Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, CHS 23-068B. 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yi-Ling Lin
- Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, CHS 23-068B. 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Gene regulation program, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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9
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Sutton TL, Patel RK, Anderson AN, Bowden SG, Whalen R, Giske NR, Wong MH. Circulating Cells with Macrophage-like Characteristics in Cancer: The Importance of Circulating Neoplastic-Immune Hybrid Cells in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163871. [PMID: 36010865 PMCID: PMC9405966 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In cancer, disseminated neoplastic cells circulating in blood are a source of tumor DNA, RNA, and protein, which can be harnessed to diagnose, monitor, and better understand the biology of the tumor from which they are derived. Historically, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have dominated this field of study. While CTCs are shed directly into circulation from a primary tumor, they remain relatively rare, particularly in early stages of disease, and thus are difficult to utilize as a reliable cancer biomarker. Neoplastic-immune hybrid cells represent a novel subpopulation of circulating cells that are more reliably attainable as compared to their CTC counterparts. Here, we review two recently identified circulating cell populations in cancer—cancer-associated macrophage-like cells and circulating hybrid cells—and discuss the future impact for the exciting area of disseminated hybrid cells. Abstract Cancer remains a significant cause of mortality in developed countries, due in part to difficulties in early detection, understanding disease biology, and assessing treatment response. If effectively harnessed, circulating biomarkers promise to fulfill these needs through non-invasive “liquid” biopsy. While tumors disseminate genetic material and cellular debris into circulation, identifying clinically relevant information from these analytes has proven difficult. In contrast, cell-based circulating biomarkers have multiple advantages, including a source for tumor DNA and protein, and as a cellular reflection of the evolving tumor. While circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have dominated the circulating cell biomarker field, their clinical utility beyond that of prognostication has remained elusive, due to their rarity. Recently, two novel populations of circulating tumor-immune hybrid cells in cancer have been characterized: cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) and circulating hybrid cells (CHCs). CAMLs are macrophage-like cells containing phagocytosed tumor material, while CHCs can result from cell fusion between cancer and immune cells and play a role in the metastatic cascade. Both are detected in higher numbers than CTCs in peripheral blood and demonstrate utility in prognostication and assessing treatment response. Additionally, both cell populations are heterogeneous in their genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic signatures, and thus have the potential to inform on heterogeneity within tumors. Herein, we review the advances in this exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L. Sutton
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Ranish K. Patel
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Ashley N. Anderson
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Stephen G. Bowden
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Riley Whalen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Nicole R. Giske
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Melissa H. Wong
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-503-494-8749; Fax: +1-503-494-4253
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10
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Montalbán-Hernández K, Cantero-Cid R, Casalvilla-Dueñas JC, Avendaño-Ortiz J, Marín E, Lozano-Rodríguez R, Terrón-Arcos V, Vicario-Bravo M, Marcano C, Saavedra-Ambrosy J, Prado-Montero J, Valentín J, Pérez de Diego R, Córdoba L, Pulido E, del Fresno C, Dueñas M, López-Collazo E. Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Fuse with Monocytes to Form Tumour Hybrid Cells with the Ability to Migrate and Evade the Immune System. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3445. [PMID: 35884505 PMCID: PMC9324286 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cancer cell fusion theory could be one of the best explanations for the metastasis from primary tumours. METHODS Herein, we co-cultured colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells with human monocytes and analysed the properties of the generated tumour hybrid cells (THCs). The presence of THCs in the bloodstream together with samples from primary and metastatic lesions and their clinical correlations were evaluated in CRC patients and were detected by both FACS and immunofluorescence methods. Additionally, the role of SIGLEC5 as an immune evasion molecule in colorectal cancer was evaluated. RESULTS Our data demonstrated the generation of THCs after the in vitro co-culture of CRC stem cells and monocytes. These cells, defined as CD45+CD14+EpCAM+, showed enhanced migratory and proliferative abilities. The THC-specific cell surface signature allows identification in matched primary tumour tissues and metastases as well as in the bloodstream from patients with CRC, thus functioning as a biomarker. Moreover, SIG-LEC5 expression on in vitro generated THCs has shown to be involved in the mechanism for immune evasion. Additionally, sSIGLEC5 levels correlated with THC numbers in the prospective cohort of patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate the generation of a hybrid entity after the in vitro co-culture between CRC stem cells and human monocytes. Moreover, THC numbers present in patients are related to both prognosis and the later spread of metastases in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Montalbán-Hernández
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Cantero-Cid
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Digestive Surgery Service, La Paz Univeristy Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.-B.); (C.M.); (J.S.-A.)
- Translational Research and Innovation in Surgery Group, La Paz Univeristy Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Carlos Casalvilla-Dueñas
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Avendaño-Ortiz
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Biobank Platform, IdiPAZ, La Paz Universitary Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elvira Marín
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Lozano-Rodríguez
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Verónica Terrón-Arcos
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Vicario-Bravo
- Digestive Surgery Service, La Paz Univeristy Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.-B.); (C.M.); (J.S.-A.)
| | - Cristóbal Marcano
- Digestive Surgery Service, La Paz Univeristy Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.-B.); (C.M.); (J.S.-A.)
| | - Jorge Saavedra-Ambrosy
- Digestive Surgery Service, La Paz Univeristy Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.-B.); (C.M.); (J.S.-A.)
| | - Julia Prado-Montero
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Valentín
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Pérez de Diego
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Córdoba
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Biobank Platform, IdiPAZ, La Paz Universitary Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Pulido
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos del Fresno
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Dueñas
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Biomedical Innovation Department, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network of Oncological Diseases (CIBERONC), 29029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo López-Collazo
- The Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (K.M.-H.); (R.C.-C.); (J.C.C.-D.); (J.A.-O.); (E.M.); (R.L.-R.); (V.T.-A.); (J.P.-M.); (J.V.); (R.P.d.D.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (C.d.F.)
- Tumour Immunology Lab, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Lazebnik Y. Cell fusion as a link between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, COVID-19 complications, and vaccine side effects. Oncotarget 2021; 12:2476-2488. [PMID: 34917266 PMCID: PMC8664391 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28088] [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: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A distinctive feature of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is its ability to efficiently fuse cells, thus producing syncytia found in COVID-19 patients. This commentary proposes how this ability enables spike to cause COVID-19 complications as well as side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, and suggests how these effects can be prevented.
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12
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Colon cancer cells acquire immune regulatory molecules from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by trogocytosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2110241118. [PMID: 34819374 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110241118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can develop an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to control tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. Here, we report that mouse and human colon cancer cells acquire lymphocyte membrane proteins including cellular markers such as CD4 and CD45. We observed cell populations harboring both a tumor-specific marker and CD4 in the tumor microenvironment. Sorted cells from these populations were capable of forming organoids, identifying them as cancer cells. Live imaging analysis revealed that lymphocyte membrane proteins were transferred to cancer cells via trogocytosis. As a result of the transfer in vivo, cancer cells also acquired immune regulatory surface proteins such as CTLA4 and Tim3, which suppress activation of immune cells [T. L. Walunas et al, Immunity 1, 405-413 (1994) and L. Monney et al., Nature 415, 536-541 (2002)]. RNA sequencing analysis of ex vivo-cocultured splenocytes with trogocytic cancer cells showed reductions in Th1 activation and natural killer cell signaling pathways compared with the nontrogocytic control. Cancer cell trogocytosis was confirmed in the patient-derived xenograft models of colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer. These findings suggest that cancer cells utilize membrane proteins expressed in lymphocytes, which in turn contribute to the development of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
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13
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Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11090572. [PMID: 34564387 PMCID: PMC8467939 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11090572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A theory that can best explain the facts of a phenomenon is more likely to advance knowledge than a theory that is less able to explain the facts. Cancer is generally considered a genetic disease based on the somatic mutation theory (SMT) where mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes cause dysregulated cell growth. Evidence is reviewed showing that the mitochondrial metabolic theory (MMT) can better account for the hallmarks of cancer than can the SMT. Proliferating cancer cells cannot survive or grow without carbons and nitrogen for the synthesis of metabolites and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Glucose carbons are essential for metabolite synthesis through the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways while glutamine nitrogen and carbons are essential for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing metabolites and ATP through the glutaminolysis pathway. Glutamine-dependent mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation becomes essential for ATP synthesis in cancer cells that over-express the glycolytic pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2), that have deficient OxPhos, and that can grow in either hypoxia (0.1% oxygen) or in cyanide. The simultaneous targeting of glucose and glutamine, while elevating levels of non-fermentable ketone bodies, offers a simple and parsimonious therapeutic strategy for managing most cancers.
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Sieler M, Weiler J, Dittmar T. Cell-Cell Fusion and the Roads to Novel Properties of Tumor Hybrid Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061465. [PMID: 34207991 PMCID: PMC8230653 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenomenon of cancer cell–cell fusion is commonly associated with the origin of more malignant tumor cells exhibiting novel properties, such as increased drug resistance or an enhanced metastatic capacity. However, the whole process of cell–cell fusion is still not well understood and seems to be rather inefficient since only a certain number of (cancer) cells are capable of fusing and only a rather small population of fused tumor hybrids will survive at all. The low survivability of tumor hybrids is attributed to post-fusion processes, which are characterized by the random segregation of mixed parental chromosomes, the induction of aneuploidy and further random chromosomal aberrations and genetic/epigenetic alterations in daughter cells. As post-fusion processes also run in a unique manner in surviving tumor hybrids, the occurrence of novel properties could thus also be a random event, whereby it might be speculated that the tumor microenvironment and its spatial habitats could direct evolving tumor hybrids towards a specific phenotype.
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Soltantoyeh T, Akbari B, Karimi A, Mahmoodi Chalbatani G, Ghahri-Saremi N, Hadjati J, Hamblin MR, Mirzaei HR. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma: Challenges and Road Ahead. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061450. [PMID: 34207884 PMCID: PMC8230324 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is the most aggressive and difficult to treat type of skin cancer, with a survival rate of less than 10%. Metastatic melanoma has conventionally been considered very difficult to treat; however, recent progress in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the tumorigenesis, metastasis and immune escape have led to the introduction of new therapies. These include targeted molecular therapy and novel immune-based approaches such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and genetically engineered T-lymphocytes such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Among these, CAR T cell therapy has recently made promising strides towards the treatment of advanced hematological and solid cancers. Although CAR T cell therapy might offer new hope for melanoma patients, it is not without its shortcomings, which include off-target toxicity, and the emergence of resistance to therapy (e.g., due to antigen loss), leading to eventual relapse. The present review will not only describe the basic steps of melanoma metastasis, but also discuss how CAR T cells could treat metastatic melanoma. We will outline specific strategies including combination approaches that could be used to overcome some limitations of CAR T cell therapy for metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Soltantoyeh
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran; (T.S.); (B.A.); (G.M.C.); (N.G.-S.); (J.H.)
| | - Behnia Akbari
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran; (T.S.); (B.A.); (G.M.C.); (N.G.-S.); (J.H.)
| | - Amirali Karimi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran;
| | - Ghanbar Mahmoodi Chalbatani
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran; (T.S.); (B.A.); (G.M.C.); (N.G.-S.); (J.H.)
| | - Navid Ghahri-Saremi
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran; (T.S.); (B.A.); (G.M.C.); (N.G.-S.); (J.H.)
| | - Jamshid Hadjati
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran; (T.S.); (B.A.); (G.M.C.); (N.G.-S.); (J.H.)
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa;
- Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran; (T.S.); (B.A.); (G.M.C.); (N.G.-S.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +98-21-64053268; Fax: +98-21-66419536
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LaBerge G, Duvall E, Grasmick Z, Haedicke K, Galan A, Pawelek J. A melanoma patient with macrophage-cancer cell hybrids in the primary tumor, a lymph node metastasis and a brain metastasis. Cancer Genet 2021; 256-257:162-164. [PMID: 34166887 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In 1911 it was proposed that cancer might result from fusion and hybridization between macrophages and cancer cells. Using immunohistochemistry it was determined that essentially all solid tumors expressed macrophage-like molecules on their cell surface. More recently we have used forensic (STR) genetics that allows one to detect DNA from more than one individual in the same sample. By studying biopsies from individuals receiving allogeneic stem cell transplants and later developed solid tumor metastases, we were able to detect both donor and patient DNA sequences suggesting that hybrids were present. Previously we found hybrids in biopsies of a renal cell carcinoma, a melanoma in a brain metastasis and a melanoma in a primary tumor with lymph node metastases. Here we have traced hybrids from a primary melanoma to an axillary lymph node to a brain metastasis. This is the first time that the entire metastatic process has been documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greggory LaBerge
- Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO, United States; Denver Police Crime Lab-Forensics and Evidence Division, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Eric Duvall
- Denver Police Crime Lab-Forensics and Evidence Division, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Zachary Grasmick
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado AMC, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Kay Haedicke
- Department of Internal Medicine Section of Medical Oncology and the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Anjela Galan
- Department of Dermatology and The Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - John Pawelek
- Department of Dermatology and The Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States.
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Wang HF, Xiang W, Xue BZ, Wang YH, Yi DY, Jiang XB, Zhao HY, Fu P. Cell fusion in cancer hallmarks: Current research status and future indications. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:530. [PMID: 34055095 PMCID: PMC8138896 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell fusion is involved in several physiological processes, such as reproduction, development and immunity. Although cell fusion in tumors was reported 130 years ago, it has recently attracted great interest, with recent progress in tumorigenesis research. However, the role of cell fusion in tumor progression remains unclear. The pattern of cell fusion and its role under physiological conditions are the basis for our understanding of the pathological role of cell fusion. However, the role of cell fusion in tumors and its functions are complicated. Cell fusion can directly increase tumor heterogeneity by forming polyploids or aneuploidies. Several studies have reported that cell fusion is associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence, drug resistance and the formation of cancer stem cells. Given the diverse roles cell fusion plays in different tumor phenotypes, methods based on targeted cell fusion have been designed to treat tumors. Research on cell fusion in tumors may provide novel ideas for further treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Fei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Bing-Zhou Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Hao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Ye Yi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Bing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Yang Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Peng Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
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Aneuploid Circulating Tumor-Derived Endothelial Cell (CTEC): A Novel Versatile Player in Tumor Neovascularization and Cancer Metastasis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061539. [PMID: 32599893 PMCID: PMC7349247 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematogenous and lymphogenous cancer metastases are significantly impacted by tumor neovascularization, which predominantly consists of blood vessel-relevant angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry, and lymphatic vessel-related lymphangiogenesis. Among the endothelial cells that make up the lining of tumor vasculature, a majority of them are tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs), exhibiting cytogenetic abnormalities of aneuploid chromosomes. Aneuploid TECs are generated from “cancerization of stromal endothelial cells” and “endothelialization of carcinoma cells” in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Both processes crucially engage the hypoxia-triggered epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Compared to the cancerization process, endothelialization of cancer cells, which comprises the fusion of tumor cells with endothelial cells and transdifferentiation of cancer cells into TECs, is the dominant pathway. Tumor-derived endothelial cells, possessing the dual properties of cancerous malignancy and endothelial vascularization ability, are thus the endothelialized cancer cells. Circulating tumor-derived endothelial cells (CTECs) are TECs shed into the peripheral circulation. Aneuploid CD31+ CTECs, together with their counterpart CD31- circulating tumor cells (CTCs), constitute a unique pair of cellular circulating tumor biomarkers. This review discusses a proposed cascaded framework that focuses on the origins of TECs and CTECs in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and their clinical implications for tumorigenesis, neovascularization, disease progression, and cancer metastasis. Aneuploid CTECs, harboring hybridized properties of malignancy, vascularization and motility, may serve as a unique target for developing a novel metastasis blockade cancer therapy.
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Genome remodeling upon mesenchymal tumor cell fusion contributes to tumor progression and metastatic spread. Oncogene 2020; 39:4198-4211. [PMID: 32242148 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cell fusion in tumor progression mostly refers to the merging of a cancer cell with a cell that has migration and immune escape capabilities such as macrophages. Here we show that spontaneous hybrids made from the fusion of transformed mesenchymal cells with partners from the same lineage undergo nonrecurrent large-scale genomic rearrangements, leading to the creation of highly aneuploid cells with novel phenotypic traits, including metastatic spreading capabilities. Moreover, in contrast to their parents, hybrids were the only cells able to recapitulate in vivo all features of human pleomorphic sarcomas, a rare and genetically complex mesenchymal tumor. Hybrid tumors not only displayed specific mesenchymal markers, but also combined a complex genetic profile with a highly metastatic behavior, like their human counterparts. Finally, we provide evidence that patient-derived pleomorphic sarcoma cells are inclined to spontaneous cell fusion. The resulting hybrids also gain in aggressiveness, exhibiting superior growth capacity in mouse models. Altogether, these results indicate that cell fusion has the potential to promote cancer progression by increasing growth and/or metastatic capacities, regardless of the nature of the companion cell. Moreover, such events likely occur upon sarcoma development, paving the way for better understanding of the biology, and aggressiveness of these tumors.
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20
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Cancer Immunoimaging with Smart Nanoparticles. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 38:388-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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21
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Manjunath Y, Porciani D, Mitchem JB, Suvilesh KN, Avella DM, Kimchi ET, Staveley-O’Carroll KF, Burke DH, Li G, Kaifi JT. Tumor-Cell-Macrophage Fusion Cells as Liquid Biomarkers and Tumor Enhancers in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1872. [PMID: 32182935 PMCID: PMC7084898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although molecular mechanisms driving tumor progression have been extensively studied, the biological nature of the various populations of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) within the blood is still not well understood. Tumor cell fusion with immune cells is a longstanding hypothesis that has caught more attention in recent times. Specifically, fusion of tumor cells with macrophages might lead to the development of metastasis by acquiring features such as genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity, chemotherapeutic resistance, and immune tolerance. In addition to the traditional FDA-approved definition of a CTC (CD45-, EpCAM+, cytokeratins 8+, 18+ or 19+, with a DAPI+ nucleus), an additional circulating cell population has been identified as being potential fusions cells, characterized by distinct, large, polymorphonuclear cancer-associated cells with a dual epithelial and macrophage/myeloid phenotype. Artificial fusion of tumor cells with macrophages leads to migratory, invasive, and metastatic phenotypes. Further studies might investigate whether these have a potential impact on the immune response towards the cancer. In this review, the background, evidence, and potential relevance of tumor cell fusions with macrophages is discussed, along with the potential role of intercellular connections in their formation. Such fusion cells could be a key component in cancer metastasis, and therefore, evolve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yariswamy Manjunath
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - David Porciani
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (D.P.); (D.H.B.)
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Jonathan B. Mitchem
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Kanve N. Suvilesh
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
| | - Diego M. Avella
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Eric T. Kimchi
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Kevin F. Staveley-O’Carroll
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Donald H. Burke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (D.P.); (D.H.B.)
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (D.P.); (D.H.B.)
| | - Jussuf T. Kaifi
- Department of Surgery, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (Y.M.); (J.B.M.); (K.N.S.); (D.M.A.); (E.T.K.); (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
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22
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LaBerge GS, Duvall E, Grasmick Z, Haedicke K, Galan A, Leverett J, Baswan S, Yim S, Pawelek J. Recent Advances in Studies of Skin Color and Skin Cancer. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 93:69-80. [PMID: 32226338 PMCID: PMC7087065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between skin color and skin cancer is well established: the less melanin in one's skin the greater the risk for developing skin cancer. This review is in two parts. First, we summarize the current understanding of the cutaneous pigmentary system and trace melanin from its synthesis in the pigment cell melanosomes through its transfer to keratinocytes. We also present new methods for reducing melanin content in hyper-pigmented areas of skin such as solar lentigenes, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Second, we present evidence that at least one mechanism for the development of metastatic melanoma and other solid tumors is fusion and hybridization of leucocytes such as macrophages with primary tumor cells. In this scenario, hybrid cells express both the chemotactic motility of the leucocyte and the de-regulated cell division of the tumor cell, causing the cells to migrate a deadly journey to lymph nodes, distant organs, and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greggory S. LaBerge
- Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO
- Denver Police Crime Lab-Forensics and Evidence Division, Denver, CO
| | - Eric Duvall
- Denver Police Crime Lab-Forensics and Evidence Division, Denver, CO
| | | | - Kay Haedicke
- Department of Internal Medicine Section of Medical Oncology and the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Anjela Galan
- Department of Dermatology and The Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | | | | | | | - John Pawelek
- Department of Dermatology and The Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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23
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Mirzayans R, Murray D. Intratumor Heterogeneity and Therapy Resistance: Contributions of Dormancy, Apoptosis Reversal (Anastasis) and Cell Fusion to Disease Recurrence. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041308. [PMID: 32075223 PMCID: PMC7073004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in treating cancer is posed by intratumor heterogeneity, with different sub-populations of cancer cells within the same tumor exhibiting therapy resistance through different biological processes. These include therapy-induced dormancy (durable proliferation arrest through, e.g., polyploidy, multinucleation, or senescence), apoptosis reversal (anastasis), and cell fusion. Unfortunately, such responses are often overlooked or misinterpreted as “death” in commonly used preclinical assays, including the in vitro colony-forming assay and multiwell plate “viability” or “cytotoxicity” assays. Although these assays predominantly determine the ability of a test agent to convert dangerous (proliferating) cancer cells to potentially even more dangerous (dormant) cancer cells, the results are often assumed to reflect loss of cancer cell viability (death). In this article we briefly discuss the dark sides of dormancy, apoptosis, and cell fusion in cancer therapy, and underscore the danger of relying on short-term preclinical assays that generate population-based data averaged over a large number of cells. Unveiling the molecular events that underlie intratumor heterogeneity together with more appropriate experimental design and data interpretation will hopefully lead to clinically relevant strategies for treating recurrent/metastatic disease, which remains a major global health issue despite extensive research over the past half century.
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Huaman J, Naidoo M, Zang X, Ogunwobi OO. Fibronectin Regulation of Integrin B1 and SLUG in Circulating Tumor Cells. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060618. [PMID: 31226820 PMCID: PMC6627780 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a critical step in the metastatic cascade and a good tool to study this process. We isolated CTCs from a syngeneic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a human xenograft mouse model of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). From these models, novel primary tumor and CTC cell lines were established. CTCs exhibited greater migration than primary tumor-derived cells, as well as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as observed from decreased E-cadherin and increased SLUG and fibronectin expression. Additionally, when fibronectin was knocked down in CTCs, integrin B1 and SLUG were decreased, indicating regulation of these molecules by fibronectin. Investigation of cell surface molecules and secreted cytokines conferring immunomodulatory advantage to CTCs revealed decreased major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) expression and decreased endostatin, C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5), and proliferin secretion by CTCs. Taken together, these findings indicate that CTCs exhibit distinct characteristics from primary tumor-derived cells. Furthermore, CTCs demonstrate enhanced migration in part through fibronectin regulation of integrin B1 and SLUG. Further study of CTC biology will likely uncover additional important mechanisms of cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette Huaman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of The City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA.
- Department of Biology, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Michelle Naidoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of The City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA.
- Department of Biology, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Xingxing Zang
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, and Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Olorunseun O Ogunwobi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of The City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA.
- Department of Biology, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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