Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Heterogeneity and Its Influence on the Extracellular Matrix and the Tumor Microenvironment

C3+ cancer-associated fibroblasts promote tumor growth and therapeutic resistance in gastric cancer via activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies globally, with limited therapeutic options. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a diverse population of stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME), play a central role in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. However, the specific markers identifying tumor-promoting CAF subsets in GC have yet to be fully characterized.

METHODS

Through animal studies and RNA sequencing, complement C3 (C3) emerged as a key marker linked to tumor-promoting CAF subsets. Single-cell sequencing and multiplex immunofluorescence staining confirmed that C3 expression is predominantly localized within CAFs. Independent cohort analyses demonstrated a strong association between elevated levels of C3+ CAFs and poor clinical outcomes in GC patients. To further investigate, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of C3 in CAFs was employed in vitro, with subsequent experiments, including cell migration assays, cell viability assays, and immunofluorescence, revealing significant functional impacts.

RESULTS

C3 secreted by CAFs promoted Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and accelerated cancer cell migration. Patients with minimal C3+ CAF infiltration exhibited a higher probability of deriving therapeutic benefit from adjuvant treatments. Furthermore, C3+ CAFs were associated with immunosuppressive effects and an immune-evasive microenvironment marked by CD8 + T cell dysfunction. A lower prevalence of C3+ CAFs correlated with improved responsiveness to immunotherapy in GC patients. Enrichment analysis highlighted pronounced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in C3+ CAFs relative to their C3- counterparts, supported by elevated phosphorylation levels of IKK, IκBα, and p65 in C3+ CAFs compared to both C3- CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs). Silencing p65 nuclear translocation in CAFs through siRNA significantly suppressed C3 secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that NF-κB pathway-mediated CAF activation enhances C3 secretion, driving EMT, migration, chemoresistance, and immune evasion in GC progression. Targeting the NF-κB/C3 signaling axis in CAFs may offer a viable therapeutic strategy for GC management.

Global research progress of nanomedicine and colorectal cancer: a bibliometrics and visualization analysis

Background

Surgery and chemoradiotherapy are the main clinical treatment methods for colorectal cancer (CRC), but the prognosis is poor. The emergence of nanomedicine brings bright light to the treatment of CRC. However, there has not been a comprehensive and systematic analysis of CRC and nanomedicine by bibliometrics.

Methods

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database (WOSCC) for relevant literature published from 2011 to 2024. We used VOSviewer and Citespace to analyze countries, institutions, authors, keywords, highly cited references, and co-cited references.

Results

3105 pieces of literatures were included in the research analysis, and PEOPLES R CHINA and the USA took the leading position in the number of papers published and had academic influence. The Chinese Academy of Sciences posted the most papers. The most prolific scholar was Abnous Khalil. The level of economic development is inversely proportional to the number of cases and deaths of colorectal cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs), the nanomedical drug delivery system (NDDS) is a hot topic in the field. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), immunogenic cell death (ICD), tumor microenvironment (TEM), folic acid, and pH are the cutting edge of the field.

Conclusion

This paper introduces the research hotspot, emphasis, and frontier of CRC and nanomedicine, and points out the direction for this field.

Cell confinement by micropatterning induces phenotypic changes in cancer-associated fibroblasts

Recent advances in single-cell studies have revealed the vast transcriptomic heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), with each subset likely having unique roles in the tumor microenvironment. However, it is still unclear how different CAF subsets should be cultured in vitro to recapitulate their in vivo phenotype. The inherent plasticity of CAFs, or their ability to dynamically change their phenotype in response to different environmental stimuli, makes it highly challenging to induce and maintain a specific CAF state in vitro. In this study, we investigated how cell shape and confinement on two-dimensional culture substrates with different stiffnesses influence CAF transcriptomic profile and phenotype. Using micropatterning of polyacrylamide hydrogels to induce shape- and confinement-dependent changes in cell morphology, we observed that micropatterned CAFs exhibited phenotypic shifts towards more desmoplastic and inflammatory CAF subsets. Additionally, micropatterning enabled control over a range of CAF-specific markers and pathways. Lastly, we report how micropatterned and non-micropatterned CAFs respond differently to anti-cancer drugs, highlighting the importance of phenotype-oriented therapy that considers for CAF plasticity and regulatory networks. Control over CAF morphology offers a unique opportunity to establish highly robust CAF phenotypes in vitro, facilitating deeper understanding of CAF plasticity, heterogeneity, and development of novel therapeutic targets. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the dominant stromal cell type in many cancers, and recent studies have revealed that they are highly heterogeneous and comprise several subpopulations. It is still unclear how different subsets of CAFs should be cultured in vitro to recapitulate their in vivo phenotype. In this study, we investigated how cell shape and confinement affect CAF transcriptomic profile and phenotype. We report that micropatterned CAFs resemble desmoplastic and inflammatory CAF subsets observed in vivo and respond differently to anti-cancer drugs as compared to non-patterned CAFs. Control over CAF morphology enables the generation of highly robust CAF phenotypes in vitro, facilitating deeper understanding of CAF plasticity and heterogeneity.

Novel immunotherapeutic approaches in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor that ranks third in cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early-stage gastric cancer can often be effectively managed through surgical resection. However, the majority of cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, where outcomes with conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain unsatisfactory. Immunotherapy offers a novel approach to treating molecularly heterogeneous gastric cancer by modifying the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy are regarded as promising modalities in cancer immunotherapy. Food and Drug Administration-approved programmed death-receptor inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, in combination with chemotherapy, have significantly extended overall survival in gastric cancer patients and is recommended as a first-line treatment. Despite challenges in solid tumor applications, adoptive cell therapy has demonstrated efficacy against various targets in gastric cancer treatment. Among these approaches, chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy research is the most widely explored and chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy targeting claudin18.2 has shown acceptable safety and robust anti-tumor capabilities. However, these advancements primarily remain in preclinical stages and further investigation should be made to promote their clinical application. This review summarizes the latest research on immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy and their limitations, as well as the role of nanoparticles in enhancing immunotherapy.

Wound healing: insights into autoimmunity, ageing, and cancer ecosystems through inflammation and IL-6 modulation

Wound healing represents a complex and evolutionarily conserved process across vertebrates, encompassing a series of life-rescuing events. The healing process runs in three main phases: inflammation, proliferation, and maturation/remodelling. While acute inflammation is indispensable for cleansing the wound, removing infection, and eliminating dead tissue characterised by the prevalence of neutrophils, the proliferation phase is characterised by transition into the inflammatory cell profile, shifting towards the prevalence of macrophages. The proliferation phase involves development of granulation tissue, comprising fibroblasts, activated myofibroblasts, and inflammatory and endothelial cells. Communication among these cellular components occurs through intercellular contacts, extracellular matrix secretion, as well as paracrine production of bioactive factors and proteolytic enzymes. The proliferation phase of healing is intricately regulated by inflammation, particularly interleukin-6. Prolonged inflammation results in dysregulations during the granulation tissue formation and may lead to the development of chronic wounds or hypertrophic/keloid scars. Notably, pathological processes such as autoimmune chronic inflammation, organ fibrosis, the tumour microenvironment, and impaired repair following viral infections notably share morphological and functional similarities with granulation tissue. Consequently, wound healing emerges as a prototype for understanding these diverse pathological processes. The prospect of gaining a comprehensive understanding of wound healing holds the potential to furnish fundamental insights into modulation of the intricate dialogue between cancer cells and non-cancer cells within the cancer ecosystem. This knowledge may pave the way for innovative approaches to cancer diagnostics, disease monitoring, and anticancer therapy.

The Mechanism by Which Hedgehog Interacting Protein (HHIP) in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Regulate the Secretion of Inflammatory Factors Through the JAK1/STAT3 Pathway Affecting Prostate Cancer Stemness

Purpose

Prostate cancer (PCa) is seriously affecting men's health and quality of life. Existing studies indicate that PCa stem cells are responsible for promoting the growth and contributing to the high recurrence rate of PCa.

Methods

We retrieved and downloaded PCa-related datasets from both the GEO and TCGA database. These datasets were subsequently analyzed using single-cell analysis, difference analysis, WGCNA, and machine learning algorithms. WB was performed to detect the expression of Hedgehog interacting protein (HHIP), JAK1/STAT3 pathway-related protein, CD133 and CD44. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to assess the distribution of HHIP and Ki67. The levels of inflammatory factors were measured using ELISA. The tumor cell stemness was evaluated through spheroid formation assay and flow cytometry.

Results

Through bioinformatics analysis, we identified eight genes (ARHGAP24, HHIP, MITF, CBX7, PPP1R12B, PLEKHA1, ADGRA2, and PGR). Among these genes, we selected HHIP for follow-up experiments and confirmed its low expression in PCa tumor tissues. Primary cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were extracted, and to further explore the mechanism of HHIP, we overexpressed or knocked down HHIP in CAFs. Overexpression of HHIP was found to inhibit the JAK1/STAT3 pathway and the secretion of inflammatory factors, thus suppressing both the proliferation and stemness of PCa cells. Treatment of CAFs with the JAK1/STAT3 pathway inhibitor AG490 led to a decrease in inflammatory factor secretion, along with inhibition of PCa cell proliferation and stemness. On this basis, knockdown of HHIP partially reversed the inhibitory effects of AG490 on PCa cells. Finally, we constructed a mouse subcutaneous tumor model and found that HHIP inhibited tumor proliferation and densification.

Conclusion

In summary, HHIP in CAFs can regulate the JAK1/STAT3 pathway and affect the secretion of inflammatory factors, thus affecting the proliferation of PCa.

Understanding and measuring mechanical signals in the tumor stroma

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is well known for its immune suppressive role, especially in solid tumors which are characterized by a thick, dense stroma. Apart from cell-cell interactions and biochemical signals, the tumor stroma is also characterized by its distinct mechanical properties, which are dictated by the composition and architecture of its extracellular matrix (ECM). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main producers and remodelers of the stromal ECM, and their heterogeneity has recently become a focus of intense research. This review describes recent findings highlighting CAF subtypes and their specific functions, as well as the development of 3D models to study tumor stroma mechanics in vitro. Finally, we discuss the quantitative techniques used to measure tissue mechanical properties at different scales. Given the diagnostic and prognostic value of stroma stiffness and composition, and the recent development of anti-tumor therapeutic strategies targeting the stroma, understanding and measuring tumor stroma mechanical properties has never been more timely or relevant.

Extracellular Vesicles from Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Induce Activation of Different Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Subtypes

Background: Lung cancer, including the major subtype lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, largely due to metastasis. Improving survival rates requires new treatment strategies and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive tumor progression within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study investigated the impact of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from LUAD cells on lung fibroblasts. Methods: EVs were isolated from LUAD cell lines via ultracentrifugation and characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis and Western blotting. Lung fibroblasts were treated with PBS, TGFβ, or EVs, and their activation was assessed through protein (Western blotting) and RNA analyses (RNA seq and RT-qPCR). Results: The results confirmed the TGFβ induced activation and showed that LUAD EVs could also activate fibroblasts, increasing cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) markers. While EV-induced CAF activation displayed unique features, like an increase in proliferation-related genes, the EV and TGFβ treatments also shared some differentially expressed genes. The EV groups induced a higher expression of ECM remodeling and EMT-associated genes, but some of those genes were also upregulated in the TGFβ group. Mesenchymal genes POSTN and SPOCK1 were significantly upregulated in TGFβ- and EV-treated fibroblasts. Their secretion as proteins from the TGFβ- and EV-induced CAFs was not significant, confirmed through ELISA. Conclusions: These findings suggest that LUAD EVs play a role in CAF activation through both shared and distinct pathways compared to canonical TGFβ activation, potentially identifying novel gene expressions involved in CAF activation. Additionally, optimal protein secretion conditions of confirmed CAF-upregulated genes need to be established to determine their contribution to the TME.

Immunometabolic characteristics of Dendritic Cells and its significant modulation by mitochondria-associated signaling in the tumor microenvironment influence cancer progression

Dendritic cells (DCs) mediated T-cell responses is critical to anti-tumor immunity. This study explores immunometabolic attributes of DC, emphasizing on mitochondrial association, in Tumor Microenvironment (TME) that regulate cancer progression. Conventional DC subtypes cross-present tumor-associated antigens to activate lymphocytes. However, plasmacytoid DCs participate in both pro- and anti-tumor signaling where mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) play crucial role. CTLA-4, CD-47 and other surface-receptors of DC negatively regulates T-cell. Increased glycolysis-mediated mitochondrial citrate buildup and translocation to cytosol with augmented NADPH, enhances mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis fueling DCs. Different DC subtypes and stages, exhibit variable mitochondrial content, membrane potential, structural dynamics and bioenergetic metabolism regulated by various cytokine stimulation, e.g., GM-CSF, IL-4, etc. CD8α+ cDC1s augmented oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) which diminishes at advance effector stages. Glutaminolysis in mitochondria supplement energy in DCs but production of kynurenine and other oncometabolites leads to immunosuppression. Mitochondria-associated DAMPs cause activation of cGAS-STING pathway and inflammasome oligomerization stimulating DC and T cells. In this study, through a comprehensive survey and critical analysis of the latest literature, the potential of DC metabolism for more effective tumor therapy is highlighted. This underscores the need for future research to explore specific therapeutic targets and potential drug candidates.

Anlotinib inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing cytokine secretion in activated cancer-associated fibroblasts

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether anlotinib could exert an inhibitory effect on the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting cytokines secreted by activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).

Methods

CAFs were isolated from cervical cancer tissues and experimentally studied in vivo and in vitro. Molecular biology experimental methods were used to verify whether anlotinib could inhibit the pro-carcinogenic effects of CAFs derived from cervical cancer tissues.

Results

CAFs promote the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Anlotinib inhibited the activation of CAFs and suppressed the promotion of cervical cancer cells by CAFs. Anlotinib inhibited the expression of multiple cytokines within CAFs and suppressed the release of interleukin (IL)-6 (IL-6) and IL-8. In vivo studies have shown that anlotinib diminished the growth of xenografted cervical cancer cells, and treatment in combination with docetaxel had an even more significant tumor growth inhibitory effect.

Conclusion

Anlotinib inhibits the pro-cancer effects of CAFs by suppressing the activation of CAFs and the secretion of pro-cancer cytokines. Our findings suggest that the combination of anlotinib and docetaxel may be a potential strategy for the treatment of refractory cervical cancer.

Modulation of adipose-derived stem cell behavior by prostate pathology-associated plasma: insights from in vitro exposure

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are promising in regenerative medicine. Their proliferation, survival and activation are influenced by specific signals within their microenvironment, also known as niche. The stem cell niche is regulated by complex interactions between multiple cell types. When transplanted in a specific area, ADSCs can secrete several immunomodulatory factors. At the same time, a tumor microenvironment can influence stem cell behavior, modulating proliferation and their ability to differentiate into a specific phenotype. Whitin this context, we exposed ADSCs to plasma samples derived from human patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC), or precancerous lesions (PL), or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for 4, 7 or 10 days. We then analyzed the expression of main stemness-related markers and cell-cycle regulators. We also measured cytokine production and polyamine secretion in culture medium and evaluated cell morphology and collagen production by confocal microscopy. The results obtained from this study show significant changes in the morphology of ADSCs exposed to plasma samples, especially in the presence of prostate cancer plasma, suggesting important implications in the use of ADSCs for the development of new treatments and application in regenerative medicine.

SERPINE1: Role in Cholangiocarcinoma Progression and a Therapeutic Target in the Desmoplastic Microenvironment

A heterogenous population of inflammatory elements, other immune and nonimmune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are evident in solid malignancies where they coexist with the growing tumor mass. In highly desmoplastic malignancies, CAFs are the prominent mesenchymal cell type in the tumor microenvironment (TME), where their presence and abundance signal a poor prognosis. CAFs play a major role in the progression of various cancers by remodeling the supporting stroma into a dense, fibrotic matrix while secreting factors that promote the maintenance of cancer stem-like characteristics, tumor cell survival, aggressive growth and metastasis and reduced sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. Tumors with high stromal fibrotic signatures are more likely to be associated with drug resistance and eventual relapse. Identifying the molecular underpinnings for such multidirectional crosstalk among the various normal and neoplastic cell types in the TME may provide new targets and novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This review highlights recent concepts regarding the complexity of CAF biology in cholangiocarcinoma, a highly desmoplastic cancer. The discussion focuses on CAF heterogeneity, functionality in drug resistance, contributions to a progressively fibrotic tumor stroma, the involved signaling pathways and the participating genes.

Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and regulated cell death in tumors: insights into apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the main stromal component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play multifaceted roles in cancer progression through paracrine signaling, exosome transfer, and cell interactions. Attractively, recent evidence indicates that CAFs can modulate various forms of regulated cell death (RCD) in adjacent tumor cells, thus involving cancer proliferation, therapy resistance, and immune exclusion. Here, we present a brief introduction to CAFs and basic knowledge of RCD, including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. In addition, we further summarize the different types of RCD in tumors that are mediated by CAFs, as well as the effects of these modes of RCD on CAFs. This review will deepen our understanding of the interactions between CAFs and RCD and might offer novel therapeutic avenues for future cancer treatments.

Single-cell aggrephagy-related patterns facilitate tumor microenvironment intercellular communication, influencing osteosarcoma progression and prognosis

Osteosarcoma, a common malignant tumor in children, has emerged as a major threat to the life and health of pediatric patients. Presently, there are certain limitations in the diagnosis and treatment methods for this disease, resulting in inferior therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, it is of great importance to study its pathogenesis and explore innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment. In this study, a non-negative matrix decomposition method was employed to conduct a comprehensive investigation and analysis of aggregated autophagy-related genes within 331,394 single-cell samples of osteosarcoma. Through this study, we have elucidated the intricate communication patterns among various cells within the tumor microenvironment. Based on the classification of aggregated autophagy-related genes, we are not only able to more accurately predict patients' prognosis but also offer robust guidance for treatment strategies. The findings of this study hold promise for breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma, intervention of aggrephagy is expected to improve the survival rate and quality of life of osteosarcoma patients.

Decellularized extracellular matrix for organoid and engineered organ culture

The repair and regeneration of tissues and organs using engineered biomaterials has attracted great interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Recent advances in organoids and engineered organs technologies have enabled scientists to generate 3D tissue that recapitulate the structural and functional characteristics of native organs, opening up new avenues in regenerative medicine. The matrix is one of the most important aspects for improving organoids and engineered organs construction. However, the clinical application of these techniques remained a big challenge because current commercial matrix does not represent the complexity of native microenvironment, thereby limiting the optimal regenerative capacity. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is expected to maintain key native matrix biomolecules and is believed to hold enormous potential for regenerative medicine applications. Thus, it is worth investigating whether the dECM can be used as matrix for improving organoid and engineered organs construction. In this review, the characteristics of dECM and its preparation method were summarized. In addition, the present review highlights the applications of dECM in the fabrication of organoids and engineered organs.