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

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.

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.