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Jiang K, Wu J, Wang Q, Chen X, Zhang Y, Gu X, Tang K. Nanoparticles targeting the adenosine pathway for cancer immunotherapy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:5787-5811. [PMID: 38845588 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00292j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, as an emerging approach to cancer treatment, has tremendous potential for application. Compared to traditional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, it has the ability to restore the patient's immune system, leading to long-term immune memory with less damage to normal tissues. However, immunotherapy has its limitations, including limited therapeutic efficacy, restricted patient populations, and inconsistent treatment responses. Finding effective immunotherapeutic approaches has become a key focus of its clinical application. The adenosine pathway is a recently discovered tumor immune regulatory signaling pathway. It can influence the metabolism and growth of tumor cells by acting through key enzymes in the adenosine pathway, thereby affecting the development of tumors. Therefore, inhibiting the adenosine pathway is an effective cancer immunotherapy. Common adenosine pathway inhibitors include small molecules and antibody proteins, and extensive preclinical trials have demonstrated their effectiveness in inhibiting tumor growth. The short half-life, low bioavailability, and single administration route of adenosine pathway inhibitors limit their clinical application. With the advent of nanotechnology, nano-delivery of adenosine pathway inhibitors has addressed these issues. Compared to traditional drugs, nano-drugs extend the drug's circulation time and improve its distribution within the body. They also offer targeting capabilities and have low toxic side effects, making them very promising for future applications. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of the adenosine pathway in tumor immune suppression, the clinical applications of adenosine pathway inhibitors, and nano-delivery based on adenosine pathway inhibitors. In the final part of this article, we also briefly discuss the technical issues and challenges currently present in nano-delivery of adenosine pathway inhibitors, with the hope of advancing the progress of adenosine inhibitor nano-drugs in clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehua Jiang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1095, Jiefang Avenue, Qiaokou District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Yanlong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Xiaoya Gu
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Kun Tang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1095, Jiefang Avenue, Qiaokou District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
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2
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Šofranko J, Gondáš E, Murín R. Application of the Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC-MS) Novel Protocol to Study the Metabolic Heterogeneity of Glioblastoma Cells. Metabolites 2024; 14:297. [PMID: 38921432 PMCID: PMC11205371 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060297] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumor consisting of a heterogeneous cellular population. The transformed metabolism of glioblastoma cells supports their growth and division on the background of their milieu. One might hypothesize that the transformed metabolism of a primary glioblastoma could be well adapted to limitations in the variety and number of substrates imported into the brain parenchyma and present it their microenvironment. Additionally, the phenotypic heterogeneity of cancer cells could promote the variations among their metabolic capabilities regarding the utilization of available substrates and release of metabolic intermediates. With the aim to identify the putative metabolic footprint of different types of glioblastoma cells, we exploited the possibility for separation of polar and ionic molecules present in culture media or cell lysates by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). The mass spectrometry (MS) was then used to identify and quantify the eluted compounds. The introduced method allows the detection and quantification of more than 150 polar and ionic metabolites in a single run, which may be present either in culture media or cell lysates and provide data for polaromic studies within metabolomics. The method was applied to analyze the culture media and cell lysates derived from two types of glioblastoma cells, T98G and U118. The analysis revealed that even both types of glioblastoma cells share several common metabolic aspects, and they also exhibit differences in their metabolic capability. This finding agrees with the hypothesis about metabolic heterogeneity of glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, the combination of both analytical methods, HILIC-MS, provides a valuable tool for metabolomic studies based on the simultaneous identification and quantification of a wide range of polar and ionic metabolites-polaromics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Šofranko
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 4D, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eduard Gondáš
- Department of Pharmacology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 4D, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Radovan Murín
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 4D, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
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3
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Erices JI, Bizama C, Niechi I, Uribe D, Rosales A, Fabres K, Navarro-Martínez G, Torres Á, San Martín R, Roa JC, Quezada-Monrás C. Glioblastoma Microenvironment and Invasiveness: New Insights and Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087047. [PMID: 37108208 PMCID: PMC10139189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary brain cancer in adults. Without treatment the mean patient survival is approximately 6 months, which can be extended to 15 months with the use of multimodal therapies. The low effectiveness of GBM therapies is mainly due to the tumor infiltration into the healthy brain tissue, which depends on GBM cells' interaction with the tumor microenvironment (TME). The interaction of GBM cells with the TME involves cellular components such as stem-like cells, glia, endothelial cells, and non-cellular components such as the extracellular matrix, enhanced hypoxia, and soluble factors such as adenosine, which promote GBM's invasiveness. However, here we highlight the role of 3D patient-derived glioblastoma organoids cultures as a new platform for study of the modeling of TME and invasiveness. In this review, the mechanisms involved in GBM-microenvironment interaction are described and discussed, proposing potential prognosis biomarkers and new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ignacio Erices
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Carolina Bizama
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Ignacio Niechi
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Daniel Uribe
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Arnaldo Rosales
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Karen Fabres
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Giovanna Navarro-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Ángelo Torres
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca 8370003, Chile
| | - Rody San Martín
- Laboratorio de Patología Molecular, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Juan Carlos Roa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Claudia Quezada-Monrás
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
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4
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Zhao Y, Liu X, Yang G. Adenosinergic Pathway in Parkinson's Disease: Recent Advances and Therapeutic Perspective. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3054-3070. [PMID: 36786912 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03257-3] [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: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized pathologically by α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation. In PD, the current mainstay of symptomatic treatment is levodopa (L-DOPA)-based dopamine (DA) replacement therapy. However, the development of dyskinesia and/or motor fluctuations which is relevant to levodopa is restricting its long-term utility. Given that the ability of which is to modulate the striato-thalamo-cortical loops and function to modulate basal ganglia output, the adenosinergic pathway (AP) is qualified as a potential promising non-DA target. As an indispensable component of energy production pathways, AP modulates cellular metabolism and gene regulation in both neurons and neuroglia cells through the recognition and degradation of extracellular adenosine. In addition, AP is geared to the initiation, evolution, and resolution of inflammation as well. Besides the above-mentioned crosstalk between the adenosine and dopamine signaling pathways, the functions of adenosine receptors (A1R, A2AR, A2BR, and A3R) and metabolism enzymes in modulating PD pathological process have been extensively investigated in recent decades. Here we reviewed the emerging findings focused on the function of adenosine receptors, adenosine formation, and metabolism in the brain and discussed its potential roles in PD pathological process. We also recapitulated clinical studies and the preclinical evidence for the medical strategies targeting the Ado signaling pathway to improve motor dysfunction and alleviate pathogenic process in PD. We hope that further clinical studies should consider this pathway in their monotherapy and combination therapy, which would open new vistas to more targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhao
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Guofeng Yang
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Li H, Yan X, Ou S. Correlation of the prognostic value of FNDC4 in glioblastoma with macrophage polarization. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:273. [PMID: 36056336 PMCID: PMC9440505 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02688-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is among the most malignant tumors in the central nervous system and characterized by strong invasion and poor prognosis. Fibronectin type III domain-containing 4 (FNDC4) plays various important roles in the human body, including participating in cellular metabolism and inflammatory responses to cardiovascular diseases, influencing immune cells, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects; however, the role of FNDC4 in glioblastoma has not been reported. METHODS In this study, bioinformatics databases, including TCGA, CGGA, GTEx, and TIMER, were used to analyze the differential expression of FNDC4 genes and cell survival, in addition to investigating its relationship with immune cell infiltration. Additionally, we overexpressed FNDC4 in glioblastoma cell lines U87 and U251 by lentiviral transfection and detected changes in proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Following collection of monocytes from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals and transformation into M0 macrophages, we performed flow cytometry to detect the polarizing effect of exogenous FNDC4, as well as the effect of FNDC4-overexpressing glioblastoma cells on macrophage polarization in a co-culture system. RESULTS We identified that significantly higher FNDC4 expression in glioblastoma tissue relative to normal brain tissue was associated with worse prognosis. Moreover, we found that FNDC4 overexpression in U87 and U251 cells resulted in increased proliferation and affected the S phase of tumor cells, whereas cell apoptosis remained unchanged. Furthermore, exogenous FNDC4 inhibited the M1 polarization of M0 macrophages without affecting M2 polarization; this was also observed in glioblastoma cells overexpressing FNDC4. CONCLUSIONS FNDC4 expression is elevated in glioblastoma, closely associated with poor prognosis, and promoted the proliferation of glioblastoma cells, affected the S phase of tumor cells while inhibiting macrophage polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's Hospital of Nantong City (Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University), Nantong, China
| | - Xiaofei Yan
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Nantong City (Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University), Nantong, China
| | - Shaowu Ou
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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Rocha JD, Uribe D, Delgado J, Niechi I, Alarcón S, Erices JI, Melo R, Fernández-Gajardo R, Salazar-Onfray F, San Martín R, Quezada Monrás C. A 2B Adenosine Receptor Enhances Chemoresistance of Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells under Hypoxia: New Insights into MRP3 Transporter Function. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169022. [PMID: 36012307 PMCID: PMC9409164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, characterized by its high chemoresistance and the presence of a cell subpopulation that persists under hypoxic niches, called glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). The chemoresistance of GSCs is mediated in part by adenosine signaling and ABC transporters, which extrude drugs outside the cell, such as the multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) subfamily. Adenosine promotes MRP1-dependent chemoresistance under normoxia. However, adenosine/MRPs-dependent chemoresistance under hypoxia has not been studied until now. Transcript and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. MRP extrusion capacity was determined by intracellular 5 (6)-Carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) accumulation. Cell viability was measured by MTS assays. Cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. Here, we show for the first time that MRP3 expression is induced under hypoxia through the A2B adenosine receptor. Hypoxia enhances MRP-dependent extrusion capacity and the chemoresistance of GSCs. Meanwhile, MRP3 knockdown decreases GSC viability under hypoxia. Downregulation of the A2B receptor decreases MRP3 expression and chemosensibilizes GSCs treated with teniposide under hypoxia. These data suggest that hypoxia-dependent activation of A2B adenosine receptor promotes survival of GSCs through MRP3 induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-Dellis Rocha
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
| | - Daniel Uribe
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
| | - Javiera Delgado
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
| | - Ignacio Niechi
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Sebastián Alarcón
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
| | - José Ignacio Erices
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Rómulo Melo
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Instituto de Neurocirugía Dr. Asenjo, Santiago 7500691, Chile
| | | | - Flavio Salazar-Onfray
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7500691, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7500691, Chile
| | - Rody San Martín
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
| | - Claudia Quezada Monrás
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-63-2221332
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7
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Markwell SM, Ross JL, Olson CL, Brat DJ. Necrotic reshaping of the glioma microenvironment drives disease progression. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:291-310. [PMID: 35039931 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02401-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor and has a dismal prognosis. The development of central necrosis represents a tipping point in the evolution of these tumors that foreshadows aggressive expansion, swiftly leading to mortality. The onset of necrosis, severe hypoxia and associated radial glioma expansion correlates with dramatic tumor microenvironment (TME) alterations that accelerate tumor growth. In the past, most have concluded that hypoxia and necrosis must arise due to "cancer outgrowing its blood supply" when rapid tumor growth outpaces metabolic supply, leading to diffusion-limited hypoxia. However, growing evidence suggests that microscopic intravascular thrombosis driven by the neoplastic overexpression of pro-coagulants attenuates glioma blood supply (perfusion-limited hypoxia), leading to TME restructuring that includes breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, immunosuppressive immune cell accumulation, microvascular hyperproliferation, glioma stem cell enrichment and tumor cell migration outward. Cumulatively, these adaptations result in rapid tumor expansion, resistance to therapeutic interventions and clinical progression. To inform future translational investigations, the complex interplay among environmental cues and myriad cell types that contribute to this aggressive phenotype requires better understanding. This review focuses on contributions from intratumoral thrombosis, the effects of hypoxia and necrosis, the adaptive and innate immune responses, and the current state of targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Markwell
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 3-140, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James L Ross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cheryl L Olson
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 3-140, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel J Brat
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 3-140, Chicago, IL, USA.
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8
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Uribe D, Niechi I, Rackov G, Erices JI, San Martín R, Quezada C. Adapt to Persist: Glioblastoma Microenvironment and Epigenetic Regulation on Cell Plasticity. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:313. [PMID: 35205179 PMCID: PMC8869716 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive brain tumor, characterized by great resistance to treatments, as well as inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. GBM exhibits infiltration, vascularization and hypoxia-associated necrosis, characteristics that shape a unique microenvironment in which diverse cell types are integrated. A subpopulation of cells denominated GBM stem-like cells (GSCs) exhibits multipotency and self-renewal capacity. GSCs are considered the conductors of tumor progression due to their high tumorigenic capacity, enhanced proliferation, invasion and therapeutic resistance compared to non-GSCs cells. GSCs have been classified into two molecular subtypes: proneural and mesenchymal, the latter showing a more aggressive phenotype. Tumor microenvironment and therapy can induce a proneural-to-mesenchymal transition, as a mechanism of adaptation and resistance to treatments. In addition, GSCs can transition between quiescent and proliferative substates, allowing them to persist in different niches and adapt to different stages of tumor progression. Three niches have been described for GSCs: hypoxic/necrotic, invasive and perivascular, enhancing metabolic changes and cellular interactions shaping GSCs phenotype through metabolic changes and cellular interactions that favor their stemness. The phenotypic flexibility of GSCs to adapt to each niche is modulated by dynamic epigenetic modifications. Methylases, demethylases and histone deacetylase are deregulated in GSCs, allowing them to unlock transcriptional programs that are necessary for cell survival and plasticity. In this review, we described the effects of GSCs plasticity on GBM progression, discussing the role of GSCs niches on modulating their phenotype. Finally, we described epigenetic alterations in GSCs that are important for stemness, cell fate and therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Uribe
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (D.U.); (I.N.); (J.I.E.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Ignacio Niechi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (D.U.); (I.N.); (J.I.E.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Gorjana Rackov
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - José I. Erices
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (D.U.); (I.N.); (J.I.E.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Rody San Martín
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (D.U.); (I.N.); (J.I.E.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Claudia Quezada
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (D.U.); (I.N.); (J.I.E.); (R.S.M.)
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
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9
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Debom GN, Rubenich DS, Braganhol E. Adenosinergic Signaling as a Key Modulator of the Glioma Microenvironment and Reactive Astrocytes. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:648476. [PMID: 35069091 PMCID: PMC8766410 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.648476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are numerous glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and play important roles in brain homeostasis. These cells can directly communicate with neurons by releasing gliotransmitters, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and glutamate, into the multipartite synapse. Moreover, astrocytes respond to tissue injury in the CNS environment. Recently, astrocytic heterogeneity and plasticity have been discussed by several authors, with studies proposing a spectrum of astrocytic activation characterized by A1/neurotoxic and A2/neuroprotective polarization extremes. The fundamental roles of astrocytes in communicating with other cells and sustaining homeostasis are regulated by purinergic signaling. In the CNS environment, the gliotransmitter ATP acts cooperatively with other glial signaling molecules, such as cytokines, which may impact CNS functions by facilitating/inhibiting neurotransmitter release. Adenosine (ADO), the main product of extracellular ATP metabolism, is an important homeostatic modulator and acts as a neuromodulator in synaptic transmission via P1 receptor sensitization. Furthermore, purinergic signaling is a key factor in the tumor microenvironment (TME), as damaged cells release ATP, leading to ADO accumulation in the TME through the ectonucleotidase cascade. Indeed, the enzyme CD73, which converts AMP to ADO, is overexpressed in glioblastoma cells; this upregulation is associated with tumor aggressiveness. Because of the crucial activity of CD73 in these cells, extracellular ADO accumulation in the TME contributes to sustaining glioblastoma immune escape while promoting A2-like activation. The present review describes the importance of ADO in modulating astrocyte polarization and simultaneously promoting tumor growth. We also discuss whether targeting of CD73 to block ADO production can be used as an alternative cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela N Debom
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dominique S Rubenich
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elizandra Braganhol
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Cardiologia - Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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10
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Alvarez CL, Troncoso MF, Espelt MV. Extracellular ATP and adenosine in tumor microenvironment: Roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell migration, and invasion. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:389-400. [PMID: 34514618 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Under nonpathological conditions, the extracellular nucleotide concentration remains constant and low (nM range) because of a close balance between ATP release and ATP consumption. This balance is completely altered in cancer disease. Adenine and uridine nucleotides are found in the extracellular space of tumors in high millimolar (mM) concentrations acting as extracellular signaling molecules. In general, although uridine nucleotides may be involved in different tumor cell responses, purinergic signaling in cancer is preferentially focused on adenine nucleotides and nucleosides. Extracellular ATP can bind to specific receptors (P receptors) triggering different responses, or it can be hydrolyzed by ectoenzymes bound to cell membranes to render the final product adenosine. The latter pathway plays an important role in the increase of adenosine in tumor microenvironment. In this study, we will focus on extracellular ATP and adenosine, their effects acting as ligands of specific receptors, activating ectoenzymes, and promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion in cancer cells. Finding the roles that these nucleotides play in tumor microenvironment may be important to design new intervention strategies in cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora L Alvarez
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Ciudad Universitaria, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María F Troncoso
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María V Espelt
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB) "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini", Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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11
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Vautrot V, Bentayeb H, Causse S, Garrido C, Gobbo J. Tumor-Derived Exosomes: Hidden Players in PD-1/PD-L1 Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184537. [PMID: 34572764 PMCID: PMC8467727 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapies such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 have garnered increasing importance in cancer therapy, leading to substantial improvements in patient care and survival. However, a certain proportion of patients present tumors that resist these treatments. Exosomes, small vesicles secreted by almost every cell, including tumor cells, have proven to be key actors in this resistance. In this review, we describe the involvement of immune checkpoints and immune modulators in tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) in the context of cancer. We will focus on the most promising proteins under scrutiny for use in combination with PD-1 blockade therapy in a clinical setting: PD-L1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, CD73/39, LAG-3, and TIGIT. Finally, we will discuss how they can change the game in immunotherapy, notably through their role in immunoresistance and how they can guide therapeutic decisions, as well as the current obstacles in the field. Abstract Recently, immunotherapy has garnered increasing importance in cancer therapy, leading to substantial improvements in patient care and survival. By blocking the immune checkpoints—protein regulators of the immune system—immunotherapy prevents immune tolerance toward tumors and reactivates the immune system, prompting it to fight cancer cell growth and diffusion. A widespread strategy for this is the blockade of the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1. However, while patients generally respond well to immunotherapy, a certain proportion of patients present tumors that resist these treatments. This portion can be very high in some cancers and hinders cancer curability. For this reason, current efforts are focusing on combining PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy with the targeting of other immune checkpoints to counter resistance and achieve better results. Exosomes, small vesicles secreted by almost any cell, including tumor cells, have proven to be key actors in this resistance. The exosomes released by tumor cells spread the immune-suppressive properties of the tumor throughout the tumor microenvironment and participate in establishing metastatic niches. In this review, we will describe immune checkpoints and immune modulators whose presence in tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) has been established. We will focus on the most promising proteins under scrutiny for use in combination with PD-1 blockade therapy in a clinical setting, such as PD-L1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, CD73/39, LAG-3, and TIGIT. We will explore the immunosuppressive impact of these exosomal proteins on a variety of immune cells. Finally, we will discuss how they can change the game in immunotherapy and guide therapeutic decisions, as well as the current limits of this approach. Depending on the viewpoint, these exosomal proteins may either provide key missing information on tumor growth and resistance mechanisms or they may be the next big challenge to overcome in improving cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Vautrot
- Research Center UMR 1231, Label Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer and LipSTIC, INSERM, F-21000 Dijon, France; (V.V.); (H.B.); (S.C.); (C.G.)
- Unité de Formation et de Recherches Sciences de la Santé, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21079 Dijon, France
| | - Hafidha Bentayeb
- Research Center UMR 1231, Label Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer and LipSTIC, INSERM, F-21000 Dijon, France; (V.V.); (H.B.); (S.C.); (C.G.)
- Unité de Formation et de Recherches Sciences de la Santé, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21079 Dijon, France
| | - Sébastien Causse
- Research Center UMR 1231, Label Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer and LipSTIC, INSERM, F-21000 Dijon, France; (V.V.); (H.B.); (S.C.); (C.G.)
- Unité de Formation et de Recherches Sciences de la Santé, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Carmen Garrido
- Research Center UMR 1231, Label Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer and LipSTIC, INSERM, F-21000 Dijon, France; (V.V.); (H.B.); (S.C.); (C.G.)
- Unité de Formation et de Recherches Sciences de la Santé, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21079 Dijon, France
| | - Jessica Gobbo
- Research Center UMR 1231, Label Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer and LipSTIC, INSERM, F-21000 Dijon, France; (V.V.); (H.B.); (S.C.); (C.G.)
- Unité de Formation et de Recherches Sciences de la Santé, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21079 Dijon, France
- Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Early Phase Unit INCa CLIP², Department of Oncology, F-21079 Dijon, France
- Clinical Investigation Center CIC1432, Module Plurithématique, INSERM, F-21079 Dijon, France
- Correspondence:
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12
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One-Carbon Metabolism Associated Vulnerabilities in Glioblastoma: A Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123067. [PMID: 34205450 PMCID: PMC8235277 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma tumours are the most malignant and common type of central nervous system tumours. Despite aggressive treatment measures, disease recurrence in patients with glioblastoma is inevitable and survival rates remain low. Glioblastoma cells, like other cancer cells, can leverage metabolic pathways to increase their rate of proliferation, maintain self-renewal, and develop treatment resistance. Furthermore, many of the metabolic strategies employed by cancer cells are similar to those employed by stem cells in order to maintain self-renewal and proliferation. One-carbon metabolism and de novo purine synthesis are metabolic pathways that are essential for biosynthesis of macromolecules and have been found to be essential for tumourigenesis. In this review, we summarize the evidence showing the significance of 1-C-mediated de novo purine synthesis in glioblastoma cell proliferation and tumourigenesis, as well as evidence suggesting the effectiveness of targeting this metabolic pathway as a therapeutic modality. Abstract Altered cell metabolism is a hallmark of cancer cell biology, and the adaptive metabolic strategies of cancer cells have been of recent interest to many groups. Metabolic reprogramming has been identified as a critical step in glial cell transformation, and the use of antimetabolites against glioblastoma has been investigated. One-carbon (1-C) metabolism and its associated biosynthetic pathways, particularly purine nucleotide synthesis, are critical for rapid proliferation and are altered in many cancers. Purine metabolism has also been identified as essential for glioma tumourigenesis. Additionally, alterations of 1-C-mediated purine synthesis have been identified as commonly present in brain tumour initiating cells (BTICs) and could serve as a phenotypic marker of cells responsible for tumour recurrence. Further research is required to elucidate mechanisms through which metabolic vulnerabilities may arise in BTICs and potential ways to therapeutically target these metabolic processes. This review aims to summarize the role of 1-C metabolism-associated vulnerabilities in glioblastoma tumourigenesis and progression and investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway in conjunction with other treatment strategies.
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13
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Marcelino H, Carvalho TMA, Tomás J, Teles FI, Honório AC, Rosa CB, Costa AR, Costa BM, Santos CRA, Sebastião AM, Cascalheira JF. Adenosine Inhibits Cell Proliferation Differently in Human Astrocytes and in Glioblastoma Cell Lines. Neuroscience 2021; 467:122-133. [PMID: 34033870 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common brain primary tumour. Hypoxic regions in GBM are associated to tumour growth. Adenosine accumulates in hypoxic regions and can affect cell proliferation and survival. However, how proliferating GBM cells respond/adapt to increased adenosine levels compared to human astrocytes (HA) is not clarified and was addressed in the present work. GBM cell lines and HA were treated for 3 days with test drugs. Thirty Adenosine (30 µM) caused a 43% ± 5% (P < 0.05) reduction of cell proliferation/viability in HA, through an adenosine receptor-independent mechanism, but had no effect in GBM cell lines U87MG, U373MG and SNB19. Contrastingly, inhibition of adenosine phosphorylation (using the adenosine kinase (ADK) inhibitor 5-iodotubercidin (ITU) (25 µM)), produced a strong and similar decrease on cell proliferation in both HA and GBM cells. The effect of adenosine on HA proliferation/viability was potentiated by 100 µM-homocysteine. Combined application of 30 µM-adenosine and 100 µM-homocysteine reduced the cell proliferation/viability in all three GBM cell lines, but this reduction was much lower than that observed in HA. Adenosine alone did not induce cell death, assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, both in HA and GBM cells, but potentiated the cytotoxic effect of homocysteine in HA and in U87MG and U373MG cells. Results show a strong attenuation of adenosine anti-proliferative effect in GBM cells compared to HA, probably resulting from increased adenosine elimination by ADK, suggesting a proliferative-prone adaptation of tumour cells to increased adenosine levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Marcelino
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Department of Chemistry, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Tiago M A Carvalho
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joana Tomás
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Francisca I Teles
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana C Honório
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Carolina B Rosa
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana R Costa
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Bruno M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cecília R A Santos
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Institute of Pharmacology and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal; Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José F Cascalheira
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Department of Chemistry, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
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14
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Garcia-Gil M, Camici M, Allegrini S, Pesi R, Tozzi MG. Metabolic Aspects of Adenosine Functions in the Brain. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:672182. [PMID: 34054547 PMCID: PMC8160517 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.672182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine, acting both through G-protein coupled adenosine receptors and intracellularly, plays a complex role in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes by modulating neuronal plasticity, astrocytic activity, learning and memory, motor function, feeding, control of sleep and aging. Adenosine is involved in stroke, epilepsy and neurodegenerative pathologies. Extracellular concentration of adenosine in the brain is tightly regulated. Adenosine may be generated intracellularly in the central nervous system from degradation of AMP or from the hydrolysis of S-adenosyl homocysteine, and then exit via bi-directional nucleoside transporters, or extracellularly by the metabolism of released nucleotides. Inactivation of extracellular adenosine occurs by transport into neurons or neighboring cells, followed by either phosphorylation to AMP by adenosine kinase or deamination to inosine by adenosine deaminase. Modulation of the nucleoside transporters or of the enzymatic activities involved in the metabolism of adenosine, by affecting the levels of this nucleoside and the activity of adenosine receptors, could have a role in the onset or the development of central nervous system disorders, and can also be target of drugs for their treatment. In this review, we focus on the contribution of 5'-nucleotidases, adenosine kinase, adenosine deaminase, AMP deaminase, AMP-activated protein kinase and nucleoside transporters in epilepsy, cognition, and neurodegenerative diseases with a particular attention on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. We include several examples of the involvement of components of the adenosine metabolism in learning and of the possible use of modulators of enzymes involved in adenosine metabolism or nucleoside transporters in the amelioration of cognition deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Garcia-Gil
- Department of Biology, Unit of Physiology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marcella Camici
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Allegrini
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossana Pesi
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Tozzi
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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15
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Jin K, Mao C, Chen L, Wang L, Liu Y, Yuan J. Adenosinergic Pathway: A Hope in the Immunotherapy of Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:E229. [PMID: 33435205 PMCID: PMC7826839 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors comprise different types of malignancies, most of which are originated from glial cells. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor with a poor response to conventional therapies and dismal survival rates (15 months) despite multimodal therapies. The development of immunotherapeutic strategies seems to be necessary to enhance the overall survival of GBM patients. So far, the immunotherapies applied in GBM had promising results in the primary phases of clinical trials but failed to continue their beneficial effects in later phases. GBM-microenvironment (GME) is a heterogenic and rigorously immunosuppressive milieu wrapping by an impenetrable blood-brain barrier. Hence, in-depth knowledge about the dominant immunosuppressive mechanisms in the GME could foster GBM immunotherapy. Recently, the adenosinergic pathway (AP) is found to be a major player in the suppression of antitumor immune responses in the GME. Tumor cells evolve to metabolize pro-inflammatory ATP to anti-inflammatory adenosine. Adenosine can suppress immune responses through the signaling of adenosine receptors on immune cells. The preclinical results targeting AP in GBM showed promising results in reinvigorating antitumor responses, overriding chemoresistance, and increasing survival. We reviewed the current GBM immunotherapies and elaborated on the role of AP in the immunopathogenesis, treatment, and even prognosis of GBM. We suggest that future clinical studies should consider this pathway in their combination therapies along with other immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Chunsen Mao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China;
| | - Lude Wang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuyao Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jianlie Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China
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16
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Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Human Astrocytoma Progression: Advances in Knowledge to Reach Therapeutic Horizons. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102216. [PMID: 33007988 PMCID: PMC7599701 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human astrocytic tumors are primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors that arise either from astrocytes or from precursor cells. A growing number of epidemiological and incidence studies in different countries underlined that, in addition to increasing economic costs for health systems, these cancers are still representing one of the main hurdles in developing a successful therapeutic goal for patients. On the other hand, new-omics technologies are offering customized instruments and more and more advantageous results toward personalized medicine approaches, underlining the concept that each tumor mass undergoes a peculiar transformation process under the control of specific genes’ and proteins’ functional signatures. The main aim of this Special Issue was to collect novel contributions in the wide field of human tumor astrocytic basic and translational research, to suggest further potential therapeutic targets/strategies that might interfere, possibly at the earliest stage of transformation, with the tumor progression, and to increase the molecular-based arsenal to counteract the prognostic poverty of high-grade astrocytic tumors.
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17
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Alarcón S, Toro MDLÁ, Villarreal C, Melo R, Fernández R, Ayuso Sacido A, Uribe D, San Martín R, Quezada C. Decreased Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1 (ENT1) Activity Contributes to the High Extracellular Adenosine Levels in Mesenchymal Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells. Cells 2020; 9:E1914. [PMID: 32824670 PMCID: PMC7463503 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most malignant types of cancer. This is mainly due to a cell subpopulation with an extremely aggressive potential, called glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). These cells produce high levels of extracellular adenosine which has been associated with increased chemoresistance, migration, and invasion in glioblastoma. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the mechanisms that control extracellular adenosine levels in GSC subtypes. By using primary and U87MG-derived GSCs, we associated increased extracellular adenosine with the mesenchymal phenotype. [3H]-adenosine uptake occurred mainly through the equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) in GSCs, but mesenchymal GSCs have lower expression and ENT1-mediated uptake activity than proneural GSCs. By analyzing expression and enzymatic activity, we determined that ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) is predominantly expressed in proneural GSCs, driving AMPase activity. While in mesenchymal GSCs, both CD73 and Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) contribute to the AMP (adenosine monophosphate) hydrolysis. We did not observe significant differences between the expression of proteins involved in the metabolization of adenosine among the GCSs subtypes. In conclusion, the lower expression and activity of the ENT1 transporter in mesenchymal GSCs contributes to the high level of extracellular adenosine that these GSCs present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Alarcón
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (S.A.); (M.d.l.Á.T.); (C.V.); (D.U.); (R.S.M.)
| | - María de los Ángeles Toro
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (S.A.); (M.d.l.Á.T.); (C.V.); (D.U.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Carolina Villarreal
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (S.A.); (M.d.l.Á.T.); (C.V.); (D.U.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Rómulo Melo
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Instituto de Neurocirugía Dr. Asenjo, Santiago 7500691, Chile; (R.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Rodrigo Fernández
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Instituto de Neurocirugía Dr. Asenjo, Santiago 7500691, Chile; (R.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Angel Ayuso Sacido
- Brain Tumour Laboratory, Fundación Vithas, Grupo Hospitales Vithas, 28043 Madrid, Spain;
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Uribe
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (S.A.); (M.d.l.Á.T.); (C.V.); (D.U.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Rody San Martín
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (S.A.); (M.d.l.Á.T.); (C.V.); (D.U.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Claudia Quezada
- Laboratorio de Biología Tumoral, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (S.A.); (M.d.l.Á.T.); (C.V.); (D.U.); (R.S.M.)
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Santiago 8320000, Chile
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