1
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Feigelman G, Simanovich E, Brockmeyer P, Rahat MA. EMMPRIN promotes spheroid organization and metastatic formation: comparison between monolayers and spheroids of CT26 colon carcinoma cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1374088. [PMID: 38725999 PMCID: PMC11079191 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1374088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In vitro studies often use two-dimensional (2D) monolayers, but 3D cell organization, such as in spheroids, better mimics the complexity of solid tumors. To metastasize, cancer cells undergo the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to become more invasive and pro-angiogenic, with expression of both epithelial and mesenchymal markers. Aims We asked whether EMMPRIN/CD147 contributes to the formation of the 3D spheroid structure, and whether spheroids, which are often used to study proliferation and drug resistance, could better model the EMT process and the metastatic properties of cells, and improve our understanding of the role of EMMPRIN in them. Methods We used the parental mouse CT26 colon carcinoma (CT26-WT) cells, and infected them with a lentivirus vector to knock down EMMPRIN expression (CT26-KD cells), or with an empty lentivirus vector (CT26-NC) that served as a negative control. In some cases, we repeated the experiments with the 4T1 or LLC cell lines. We compared the magnitude of change between CT26-KD and CT26-WT/NC cells in different metastatic properties in cells seeded as monolayers or as spheroids formed by the scaffold-free liquid overlay method. Results We show that reduced EMMPRIN expression changed the morphology of cells and their spatial organization in both 2D and 3D models. The 3D models more clearly demonstrated how reduced EMMPRIN expression inhibited proliferation and the angiogenic potential, while it enhanced drug resistance, invasiveness, and EMT status, and moreover it enhanced cell dormancy and prevented CT26-KD cells from forming metastatic-like lesions when seeded on basement membrane extract (BME). Most interestingly, this approach enabled us to identify that EMMPRIN and miR-146a-5p form a negative feedback loop, thus identifying a key mechanism for EMMPRIN activities. These results underline EMMPRIN role as a gatekeeper that prevents dormancy, and suggest that EMMPRIN links EMT characteristics to the process of spheroid formation. Conclusions Thus, 3D models can help identify mechanisms by which EMMPRIN facilitates tumor and metastasis progression, which might render EMMPRIN as a promising target for anti-metastatic tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Feigelman
- Immunotherapy Laboratory, Research Laboratories, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Immunology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Elina Simanovich
- Immunotherapy Laboratory, Research Laboratories, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Phillipp Brockmeyer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michal A. Rahat
- Immunotherapy Laboratory, Research Laboratories, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Immunology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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2
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Altea-Manzano P, Fendt SM, Vera-Ramirez L. 13C Tracer Analysis and Metabolomics in Dormant Cancer Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2811:195-206. [PMID: 39037660 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3882-8_15] [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: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, major advances in the field of tumor dormancy have been made. Yet, it is not completely understood how dormant disseminated tumor cells survive and transition to a proliferative state to generate a metastatic lesion. On the other hand, metabolic rewiring has been shown to influence metastasis development through the modulation of both intracellular signaling and the crosstalk between metastatic cells and their microenvironment. Thus, studying the metabolic features of dormant disseminated tumor cells has gained importance in understanding the dormancy process. Here, we describe a method to perform metabolomics and 13C tracer analysis in 3D cultures of dormant breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Altea-Manzano
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Signaling in Cancer, Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre (CABIMER) - Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Sarah-Maria Fendt
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Laura Vera-Ramirez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada and Andalusian Regional Government, PTS, Granada, Spain.
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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3
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Bernshtein KS, Barkan D. In Vitro and In Vivo Systems to Study Tumor Dormancy and the Transition to Overt Metastases Induced by the Fibrotic Milieu. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2811:27-35. [PMID: 39037647 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3882-8_2] [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: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer is a major cause of mortality among breast cancer patients (Sauer et al. Front Oncol: 11:659963, 2021). It may emerge years or even decades after the initial treatment of the primary tumor. This latency in the manifestation of the disease is attributed to the presence of early disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that lay quiescent (dormant) for years until they emerge as clinically overt metastases. Given that to date we have no treatment to cure metastatic disease, it is vital to investigate ways to eradicate dormant DTCs and/or prevent their emergence to overt metastases. Here, we present a modified 3-dimensional in vitro system to model the in vivo growth characteristics of several tumor cell lines that exhibit either dormant behavior (D2.0R, MCF7) or transient dormant metastatic behavior (D2A1) at a metastatic secondary site. Additionally, we present an in vitro and complementary in vivo system to study the switch from dormancy to metastatic growth driven by a fibrotic-like milieu enriched with the deposition of type I collagen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Shira Bernshtein
- Laboratory of Tumor Dormancy and Metastasis, Department of Human Biology and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dalit Barkan
- Laboratory of Tumor Dormancy and Metastasis, Department of Human Biology and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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4
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Nasr MM, Lynch CC. How circulating tumor cluster biology contributes to the metastatic cascade: from invasion to dissemination and dormancy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1133-1146. [PMID: 37442876 PMCID: PMC10713810 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be prognostic for metastatic relapse and are detected in patients as solitary cells or cell clusters. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) have been observed clinically for decades and are of significantly higher metastatic potential compared to solitary CTCs. Recent studies suggest distinct differences in CTC cluster biology regarding invasion and survival in circulation. However, differences regarding dissemination, dormancy, and reawakening require more investigations compared to solitary CTCs. Here, we review the current state of CTC cluster research and consider their clinical significance. In addition, we discuss the concept of collective invasion by CTC clusters and molecular evidence as to how cluster survival in circulation compares to that of solitary CTCs. Molecular differences between solitary and clustered CTCs during dormancy and reawakening programs will also be discussed. We also highlight future directions to advance our current understanding of CTC cluster biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Nasr
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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5
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Abstract
The pattern of delayed recurrence in a subset of breast cancer patients has long been explained by a model that incorporates a variable period of cellular or tumor mass dormancy prior to disease relapse. In this review, we critically evaluate existing data to develop a framework for inferring the existence of dormancy in clinical contexts of breast cancer. We integrate these clinical data with rapidly evolving mechanistic insights into breast cancer dormancy derived from a broad array of genetically engineered mouse models as well as experimental models of metastasis. Finally, we propose actionable interventions and discuss ongoing clinical trials that translate the wealth of knowledge gained in the laboratory to the long-term clinical management of patients at a high risk of developing recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Dalla
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine and Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Amulya Sreekumar
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Julio A Aguirre-Ghiso
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Oncology, Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Lewis A Chodosh
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, and 2-PREVENT Translational Center of Excellence, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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6
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Devericks EN, Carson MS, McCullough LE, Coleman MF, Hursting SD. The obesity-breast cancer link: a multidisciplinary perspective. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:607-625. [PMID: 35752704 PMCID: PMC9470704 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10043-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, exceptionally prevalent in the USA, promotes the incidence and progression of numerous cancer types including breast cancer. Complex, interacting metabolic and immune dysregulation marks the development of both breast cancer and obesity. Obesity promotes chronic low-grade inflammation, particularly in white adipose tissue, which drives immune dysfunction marked by increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production, alternative macrophage activation, and reduced T cell function. Breast tissue is predominantly composed of white adipose, and developing breast cancer readily and directly interacts with cells and signals from adipose remodeled by obesity. This review discusses the biological mechanisms through which obesity promotes breast cancer, the role of obesity in breast cancer health disparities, and dietary interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of obesity on breast cancer. We detail the intersection of obesity and breast cancer, with an emphasis on the shared and unique patterns of immune dysregulation in these disease processes. We have highlighted key areas of breast cancer biology exacerbated by obesity, including incidence, progression, and therapeutic response. We posit that interception of obesity-driven breast cancer will require interventions that limit protumor signaling from obese adipose tissue and that consider genetic, structural, and social determinants of the obesity–breast cancer link. Finally, we detail the evidence for various dietary interventions to offset obesity effects in clinical and preclinical studies of breast cancer. In light of the strong associations between obesity and breast cancer and the rising rates of obesity in many parts of the world, the development of effective, safe, well-tolerated, and equitable interventions to limit the burden of obesity on breast cancer are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Devericks
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Meredith S Carson
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lauren E McCullough
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael F Coleman
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen D Hursting
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. .,Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA. .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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7
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Assessing a Novel 3D Assay System for Drug Screening against OS Metastasis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14100971. [PMID: 34681195 PMCID: PMC8540451 DOI: 10.3390/ph14100971] [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: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive mesenchymal cell tumor that carries a poor long-term prognosis. Despite definitive surgery for the primary tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy, pulmonary metastasis is common and is the primary cause of morbidity. To improve outcomes for patients, we have developed and optimized a phenotypic screen for drugs that may target OS disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) and inhibit their metastatic outbreak rather than merely screening for cytotoxic activity against proliferating cells, as is commonly conducted in conventional drug discovery approaches. We report on the validation of a previously described 3D reconstituted basement membrane extract (3D BME) model system for tumor dormancy and metastatic outgrowth adapted to clonal pairs of high and low metastatic OS cells. A post-hoc validation of the assay was possible by comparing the activity of a drug in our assay with early evidence of activity in human OS clinical trials (regorafenib and saracatinib). In this validation, we found concordance between our assay and human clinical trial experience We then explored an approved veterinary small molecule inhibitor of Janus kinase-1 (oclacitinib) as a potential drug candidate to take advantage of the high prevalence of OS in pet dogs and its translational value to humans. Despite the biological rationale, we found no evidence to support the use of oclacitinib as an antimetastatic agent in OS. The findings support our 3D BME assay as a highly efficient method to examine drugs for activity in targeting OS DTCs.
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8
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Zhang A, Aslam H, Sharma N, Warmflash A, Fakhouri WD. Conservation of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Process in Neural Crest Cells and Metastatic Cancer. Cells Tissues Organs 2021; 210:151-172. [PMID: 34218225 DOI: 10.1159/000516466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly conserved cellular process in several species, from worms to humans. EMT plays a fundamental role in early embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. For neural crest cell (NCC) development, EMT typically results in forming a migratory and potent cell population that generates a wide variety of cell and tissue, including cartilage, bone, connective tissue, endocrine cells, neurons, and glia amongst many others. The degree of conservation between the signaling pathways that regulate EMT during development and metastatic cancer (MC) has not been fully established, despite ample studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis dissects the major signaling pathways involved in EMT of NCC development and MC to unravel the similarities and differences. While the FGF, TGFβ/BMP, SHH, and NOTCH pathways have been rigorously investigated in both systems, the EGF, IGF, HIPPO, Factor Receptor Superfamily, and their intracellular signaling cascades need to be the focus of future NCC studies. In general, meta-analyses of the associated signaling pathways show a significant number of overlapping genes (particularly ligands, transcription regulators, and targeted cadherins) involved in each signaling pathway of both systems without stratification by body segments and cancer type. Lack of stratification makes it difficult to meaningfully evaluate the intracellular downstream effectors of each signaling pathway. Finally, pediatric neuroblastoma and melanoma are NCC-derived malignancies, which emphasize the importance of uncovering the EMT events that convert NCC into treatment-resistant malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Zhang
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hira Aslam
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Neha Sharma
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Aryeh Warmflash
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Walid D Fakhouri
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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9
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Sauer S, Reed DR, Ihnat M, Hurst RE, Warshawsky D, Barkan D. Innovative Approaches in the Battle Against Cancer Recurrence: Novel Strategies to Combat Dormant Disseminated Tumor Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:659963. [PMID: 33987095 PMCID: PMC8111294 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.659963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer recurrence remains a great fear for many cancer survivors following their initial, apparently successful, therapy. Despite significant improvement in the overall survival of many types of cancer, metastasis accounts for ~90% of all cancer mortality. There is a growing understanding that future therapeutic practices must accommodate this unmet medical need in preventing metastatic recurrence. Accumulating evidence supports dormant disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) as a source of cancer recurrence and recognizes the need for novel strategies to target these tumor cells. This review presents strategies to target dormant quiescent DTCs that reside at secondary sites. These strategies aim to prevent recurrence by maintaining dormant DTCs at bay, or eradicating them. Various approaches are presented, including: reinforcing the niche where dormant DTCs reside in order to keep dormant DTCs at bay; promoting cell intrinsic mechanisms to induce dormancy; preventing the engagement of dormant DTCs with their supportive niche in order to prevent their reactivation; targeting cell-intrinsic mechanisms mediating long-term survival of dormant DTCs; sensitizing dormant DTCs to chemotherapy treatments; and, inhibiting the immune evasion of dormant DTCs, leading to their demise. Various therapeutic approaches, some of which utilize drugs that are already approved, or have been tested in clinical trials and may be considered for repurposing, will be discussed. In addition, clinical evidence for the presence of dormant DTCs will be reviewed, along with potential prognostic biomarkers to enable the identification and stratification of patients who are at high risk of recurrence, and who could benefit from novel dormant DTCs targeting therapies. Finally, we will address the shortcomings of current trial designs for determining activity against dormant DTCs and provide novel approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Sauer
- Vuja De Sciences Inc., Hoboken, NJ, United States
| | - Damon R Reed
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Cancer Biology and Evolution Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Adolescent and Young Adult Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Michael Ihnat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | | | | | - Dalit Barkan
- Department of Human Biology and Medical Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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10
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Sistigu A, Musella M, Galassi C, Vitale I, De Maria R. Tuning Cancer Fate: Tumor Microenvironment's Role in Cancer Stem Cell Quiescence and Reawakening. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2166. [PMID: 33193295 PMCID: PMC7609361 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell dormancy is a common feature of human tumors and represents a major clinical barrier to the long-term efficacy of anticancer therapies. Dormant cancer cells, either in primary tumors or disseminated in secondary organs, may reawaken and relapse into a more aggressive disease. The mechanisms underpinning dormancy entry and exit strongly resemble those governing cancer cell stemness and include intrinsic and contextual cues. Cellular and molecular components of the tumor microenvironment persistently interact with cancer cells. This dialog is highly dynamic, as it evolves over time and space, strongly cooperates with intrinsic cell nets, and governs cancer cell features (like quiescence and stemness) and fate (survival and outgrowth). Therefore, there is a need for deeper insight into the biology of dormant cancer (stem) cells and the mechanisms regulating the equilibrium quiescence-versus-proliferation are vital in our pursuit of new therapeutic opportunities to prevent cancer from recurring. Here, we review and discuss microenvironmental regulations of cancer dormancy and its parallels with cancer stemness, and offer insights into the therapeutic strategies adopted to prevent a lethal recurrence, by either eradicating resident dormant cancer (stem) cells or maintaining them in a dormant state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Sistigu
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Musella
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Galassi
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilio Vitale
- IIGM - Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCSS Candiolo (TO), Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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11
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Kondapaneni RV, Rao SS. Matrix stiffness and cluster size collectively regulate dormancy versus proliferation in brain metastatic breast cancer cell clusters. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:6637-6646. [DOI: 10.1039/d0bm00969e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Dormant versus proliferative phenotypes in metastatic tumor cell clusters are mediated via matrix stiffness and cluster size.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shreyas S. Rao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa
- USA
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12
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Rao SS, Kondapaneni RV, Narkhede AA. Bioengineered models to study tumor dormancy. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:3. [PMID: 30647771 PMCID: PMC6327399 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-018-0137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The onset of cancer metastasis is the defining event in cancer progression when the disease is considered lethal. The ability of metastatic cancer cells to stay dormant for extended time periods and reawaken at later stages leading to disease recurrence makes treatment of metastatic disease extremely challenging. The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in deciding the ultimate fate of tumor cells, yet the mechanisms by which this occurs, including dormancy, is not well understood. This mini-review discusses bioengineered models inspired from tissue engineering strategies that mimic key aspects of the tumor microenvironment to study tumor dormancy. These models include biomaterial based three dimensional models, microfluidic based models, as well as bioreactor based models that incorporate relevant microenvironmental components such as extracellular matrix molecules, niche cells, or their combination to study microenvironmental regulation of tumor dormancy. Such biomimetic models provide suitable platforms to investigate the dormant niche, including cues that drive the dormant to proliferative transition in cancer cells. In addition, the potential of such model systems to advance research in the field of tumor dormancy is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas S. Rao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0203 USA
| | - Raghu Vamsi Kondapaneni
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0203 USA
| | - Akshay A. Narkhede
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0203 USA
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13
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Pradhan S, Sperduto JL, Farino CJ, Slater JH. Engineered In Vitro Models of Tumor Dormancy and Reactivation. J Biol Eng 2018; 12:37. [PMID: 30603045 PMCID: PMC6307145 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-018-0120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic recurrence is a major hurdle to overcome for successful control of cancer-associated death. Residual tumor cells in the primary site, or disseminated tumor cells in secondary sites, can lie in a dormant state for long time periods, years to decades, before being reactivated into a proliferative growth state. The microenvironmental signals and biological mechanisms that mediate the fate of disseminated cancer cells with respect to cell death, single cell dormancy, tumor mass dormancy and metastatic growth, as well as the factors that induce reactivation, are discussed in this review. Emphasis is placed on engineered, in vitro, biomaterial-based approaches to model tumor dormancy and subsequent reactivation, with a focus on the roles of extracellular matrix, secondary cell types, biochemical signaling and drug treatment. A brief perspective of molecular targets and treatment approaches for dormant tumors is also presented. Advances in tissue-engineered platforms to induce, model, and monitor tumor dormancy and reactivation may provide much needed insight into the regulation of these processes and serve as drug discovery and testing platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Pradhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - John L. Sperduto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - Cindy J. Farino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - John H. Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711 USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716 USA
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14
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Type I interferon/IRF7 axis instigates chemotherapy-induced immunological dormancy in breast cancer. Oncogene 2018; 38:2814-2829. [PMID: 30546090 PMCID: PMC6477891 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapies provide survival benefits to breast cancer patients, in particular in estrogen receptor negative (ER-) cancers, by reducing rates of recurrences. It is assumed that the benefits of (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy are due to the killing of disseminated, residual cancer cells, however, there is no formal evidence for it. Here, we provide experimental evidence that ER- breast cancer cells that survived high-dose Doxorubicin and Methotrexate based chemotherapies elicit a state of immunological dormancy. Hallmark of this dormant phenotype is the sustained activation of the IRF7/IFN-β/IFNAR axis subsisting beyond chemotherapy treatment. Upregulation of IRF7 in treated cancer cells promoted resistance to chemotherapy, reduced cell growth and induced switching of the response from a myeloid derived suppressor cell-dominated immune response to a CD4+/CD8+ T cell-dependent anti-tumor response. IRF7 silencing in tumor cells or systemic blocking of IFNAR reversed the state of dormancy, while spontaneous escape from dormancy was associated with loss of IFN-β production. Presence of IFN-β in the circulation of ER- breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant Epirubicin chemotherapy correlated with a significantly longer distant metastasis-free survival. These findings establish chemotherapy-induced immunological dormancy in ER- breast cancer as a novel concept for (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy activity, and implicate sustained activation of the IRF7/IFN-β/IFNAR pathway in this effect. Further, IFN-β emerges as a potential predictive biomarker and therapeutic molecule to improve outcome of ER- breast cancer patients treated with (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy.
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15
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Chakraborty S, Jiang C, Gau D, Oddo M, Ding Z, Vollmer L, Joy M, Schiemann W, Stolz DB, Vogt A, Ghosh S, Roy P. Profilin-1 deficiency leads to SMAD3 upregulation and impaired 3D outgrowth of breast cancer cells. Br J Cancer 2018; 119:1106-1117. [PMID: 30318519 PMCID: PMC6219497 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0284-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adhesion-mediated activation of FAK/ERK signalling pathway, enabled by the formation of filopodial protrusions (FLP), has been shown to be an important event for triggering of dormancy-to-proliferation switch and metastatic outgrowth of breast cancer cells (BCC). We studied the role of actin-binding protein profilin1 (Pfn1) in these processes. METHODS Quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) of BC tissue microarray (TMA) and survival analyses of curated transcriptome datasets of BC patients were performed to examine Pfn1's association with certain clinicopathological features. FLP formation and single cell outgrowth of BCC were assessed using a 3D matrigel culture that accurately predicts dormant vs metastatic outgrowth phenotypes of BCC in certain microenvironment. Gene expression studies were performed to identify potential biological pathways that are perturbed under Pfn1-depleted condition. RESULTS Lower Pfn1 expression is correlated with lower nuclear grade of breast tumours and longer relapse-free survival of BC patients. Pfn1 depletion leads to defects in FLP and outgrowth of BCC but without impairing either FAK or ERK activation. Guided by transcriptome analyses, we further showed that Pfn1 depletion is associated with prominent SMAD3 upregulation. Although knockdown and overexpression experiments revealed that SMAD3 has an inhibitory effect on the outgrowth of breast cancer cells, SMAD3 knockdown alone was not sufficient to enhance the outgrowth potential of Pfn1-depleted BCC suggesting that other proliferation-regulatory pathways in conjunction with SMAD3 upregulation may underlie the outgrowth-deficient phenotype of BCC cells upon depletion of Pfn1. CONCLUSION Overall, these data suggest that Pfn1 may be a novel biomarker for BC recurrence and a possible target to reduce metastatic outgrowth of BCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chang Jiang
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Gau
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Michael Oddo
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Zhijie Ding
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.,Janssen Scientific Affairs, New Jersey, Raritan, USA
| | - Laura Vollmer
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Marion Joy
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.,NSABP, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Andreas Vogt
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Sujoy Ghosh
- Center for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Partha Roy
- Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA. .,Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
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16
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Albrengues J, Shields MA, Ng D, Park CG, Ambrico A, Poindexter ME, Upadhyay P, Uyeminami DL, Pommier A, Küttner V, Bružas E, Maiorino L, Bautista C, Carmona EM, Gimotty PA, Fearon DT, Chang K, Lyons SK, Pinkerton KE, Trotman LC, Goldberg MS, Yeh JTH, Egeblad M. Neutrophil extracellular traps produced during inflammation awaken dormant cancer cells in mice. Science 2018; 361:eaao4227. [PMID: 30262472 PMCID: PMC6777850 DOI: 10.1126/science.aao4227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 832] [Impact Index Per Article: 138.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells from a primary tumor can disseminate to other tissues, remaining dormant and clinically undetectable for many years. Little is known about the cues that cause these dormant cells to awaken, resume proliferating, and develop into metastases. Studying mouse models, we found that sustained lung inflammation caused by tobacco smoke exposure or nasal instillation of lipopolysaccharide converted disseminated, dormant cancer cells to aggressively growing metastases. Sustained inflammation induced the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and these were required for awakening dormant cancer. Mechanistic analysis revealed that two NET-associated proteases, neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloproteinase 9, sequentially cleaved laminin. The proteolytically remodeled laminin induced proliferation of dormant cancer cells by activating integrin α3β1 signaling. Antibodies against NET-remodeled laminin prevented awakening of dormant cells. Therapies aimed at preventing dormant cell awakening could potentially prolong the survival of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Albrengues
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Mario A Shields
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - David Ng
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Chun Gwon Park
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Morgan E Poindexter
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Priya Upadhyay
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Dale L Uyeminami
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Arnaud Pommier
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Victoria Küttner
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Emilis Bružas
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
- Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Laura Maiorino
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
- Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | | | - Ellese M Carmona
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Phyllis A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Douglas T Fearon
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Kenneth Chang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Scott K Lyons
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Kent E Pinkerton
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lloyd C Trotman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Michael S Goldberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Johannes T-H Yeh
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Mikala Egeblad
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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17
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Vera-Ramirez L, Vodnala SK, Nini R, Hunter KW, Green JE. Autophagy promotes the survival of dormant breast cancer cells and metastatic tumour recurrence. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1944. [PMID: 29789598 PMCID: PMC5964069 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04070-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer recurrence after initial diagnosis and treatment is a major cause of breast cancer (BC) mortality, which results from the metastatic outbreak of dormant tumour cells. Alterations in the tumour microenvironment can trigger signalling pathways in dormant cells leading to their proliferation. However, processes involved in the initial and the long-term survival of disseminated dormant BC cells remain largely unknown. Here we show that autophagy is a critical mechanism for the survival of disseminated dormant BC cells. Pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of autophagy in dormant BC cells results in significantly decreased cell survival and metastatic burden in mouse and human 3D in vitro and in vivo preclinical models of dormancy. In vivo experiments identify autophagy gene autophagy-related 7 (ATG7) to be essential for autophagy activation. Mechanistically, inhibition of the autophagic flux in dormant BC cells leads to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vera-Ramirez
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Suman K Vodnala
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ryan Nini
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kent W Hunter
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Jeffrey E Green
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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18
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Michaeli S, Dakwar V, Weidenfeld K, Granski O, Gilon O, Schif-Zuck S, Mamchur A, Shams I, Barkan D. Soluble Mediators Produced by Pro-Resolving Macrophages Inhibit Angiogenesis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:768. [PMID: 29922274 PMCID: PMC5996919 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Different subtypes of macrophages have been shown to participate in different stages of inflammation and tissue repair. In the late stage of tissue repair, the macrophages, following their engulfment of apoptotic neutrophils, acquire a new phenotype termed alternatively activated macrophages. These macrophages produce growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), that facilitate the angiogenic response as part of tissue restoration. Then, in the later stages of tissue healing, capillary regression takes place. It is presently unknown whether macrophages play an antiangiogenic role in the final stages of tissue repair. Here, we examined whether soluble mediators secreted by pro-resolving CD11blow macrophages (Mres) inhibit angiogenesis in the context of the resolution of tissue repair. Our findings indicate that soluble mediators produced by ex vivo generated Mres (CM-Mres) attenuate angiogenesis in vitro by inhibiting human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation by lowering their cyclin D1 expression. In addition, CM-Mres lowered HUVEC survival by inducing caspase 3/7 activation, and also inhibited VEGFR2 activation via VEGF. HUVEC migration and differentiation to tubular-like structure was also inhibited by CM-Mres. Similarly, CM-Mres significantly inhibited neovascularization as depicted ex vivo by utilizing the rat aorta ring assay and in vivo by utilizing the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Notably endostatin, which was shown previously to exert its antiangiogenic effect by inhibiting proliferation, survival, motility, and morphogenesis of endothelial cells via inhibition of VEGFR2 activation, is produced by Mres. Taken together, our results suggest that a specialized subset of macrophages that appear during the resolution of inflammation can produce antiangiogenic mediators, such as endostatin. These mediators can halt angiogenesis, thereby restoring tissue structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Michaeli
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Vivian Dakwar
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Ortal Granski
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Odelya Gilon
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Anatolii Mamchur
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Imad Shams
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dalit Barkan
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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19
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Dormant tumor cells expressing LOXL2 acquire a stem-like phenotype mediating their transition to proliferative growth. Oncotarget 2018; 7:71362-71377. [PMID: 27655685 PMCID: PMC5342084 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrence of breast cancer disease years after treatment appears to arise from disseminated dormant tumor cells (DTC). The mechanisms underlying the outgrowth of DTC remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that dormant MCF-7 cells expressing LOXL2 acquire a cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotype, mediating their outgrowth in the 3D BME system that models tumor dormancy and outgrowth. Similarly, MCF-7-LOXL2 cells colonizing the lung transitioned from dormancy to metastatic outgrowth whereas MCF-7 cells remained dormant. Notably, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MCF-7-LOXL2 cells was required for their CSC-like properties and their transition to metastatic outgrowth. These findings were further supported by clinical data demonstrating that increase in LOXL2 mRNA levels correlates with increase in the mRNA levels of EMT and stem cells markers, and is also associated with decrease in relapse free survival of breast cancer patients. Notably, conditional hypoxia induced expression of endogenous LOXL2 in MCF-7 cells promoted EMT and the acquisition of a CSC-like phenotype, while knockdown of LOXL2 inhibited this transition. Overall, our results demonstrate that expression of LOXL2 endowed DTC with CSC-like phenotype driving their transition to metastatic outgrowth and this stem-like phenotype is dependent on EMT that can be driven by the tumor microenvironment.
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20
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Vallabhaneni KC, Penfornis P, Xing F, Hassler Y, Adams KV, Mo YY, Watabe K, Pochampally R. Stromal cell extracellular vesicular cargo mediated regulation of breast cancer cell metastasis via ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 N pathway. Oncotarget 2017; 8:109861-109876. [PMID: 29299114 PMCID: PMC5746349 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) have been used to understand the stromal cell properties in solid tumors because of their ablity to differentiate into most cell types. We investigated the role of EVs from hMSCs (hMSC-EVs) in breast cancer metastasis using MDA-MB-231 parental cell line and organotropic sub-lines. We demonstrated that hMSC-EVs significantly suppressed the metastatic potential of the parental cell line when compared to their organotropic sublines. hMSC-EVs induce dormancy in the parental cell line but not in their organotropic sub-lines and miR-205 and miR-31 from EV cargo played a role. Further, Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme E2 N (UBE2N/Ubc13) - metastasis-regulating gene, is a target of these miRNAs and silencing of UBE2N/Ubc13 expression significantly suppressed migration, invasion, and proliferation of breast cancer cells. To summarize, hMSC-EVs support primary breast tumor progression but suppress the metastasis of breast cancer cells that are not organ-committed through the UBE2N/Ubc13 pathway and play a role in premetastic niche formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna C. Vallabhaneni
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Patrice Penfornis
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Fei Xing
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Yoni Hassler
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Kristen V. Adams
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Yin-Yuan Mo
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Radhika Pochampally
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
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21
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Blackburn HL, Ellsworth DL, Shriver CD, Ellsworth RE. Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Axillary Lymph Nodes: Are Changes to the Lymph Node "Soil" Localized or Systemic? BREAST CANCER-BASIC AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2017; 11:1178223417691246. [PMID: 28469436 PMCID: PMC5391061 DOI: 10.1177/1178223417691246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is a multistep process that is not well understood. Colonization of a secondary organ requires specific molecular alterations of the host microenvironment. To determine the temporal and spatial changes associated with metastatic dissemination to the axillary lymph nodes, gene expression profiles were compared between histologically normal lymph nodes from node-positive patients and tumor-free nodes from node-negative patients. Using a stringent false discovery rate correction (<0.05) for multiple hypothesis testing, we did not detect any differentially expressed genes between the lymph node groups. Thus, the presence of metastatic cells within the lymphatic system does not elicit widespread changes in gene expression through the axillary basin; rather, lymph nodes independently respond to disseminated tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Blackburn
- Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber, Windber, PA, USA
| | - Darrell L Ellsworth
- Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber, Windber, PA, USA
| | - Craig D Shriver
- Clinical Breast Care Project, Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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22
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'Normalizing' the malignant phenotype of luminal breast cancer cells via alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2491. [PMID: 27906177 PMCID: PMC5260995 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Reestablishing tissue organization of breast cancer cells into acini was previously shown to override their malignant phenotype. In our study, we demonstrate that alpha(v)beta(3) integrin (Int-αvβ3), previously shown to play a role in cancer progression, promoted differentiation and growth arrest of organoids derived from luminal A breast cancer cells grown in their relevant three-dimensional microenvironment. These organoids differentiated into normal-like acini resembling a benign stage of breast tissue. Likewise, we demonstrate that Int-αvβ3 is selectively expressed in the epithelium of the benign stage of breast tissues, and is lost during the early stages of luminal A breast cancer progression. Notably, the organoids' reversion into normal-like acini was mediated by cancer luminal progenitor-like cells expressing both EpCAMhighCD49flowCD24+ and Int-αvβ3. Furthermore, downregulation of Notch4 expression and downstream signaling was shown to mediate Int-αvβ3-induced reversion. Intriguingly, when luminal A breast cancer cells expressing Int-αvβ3 were injected into a humanized mouse model, differentiated tumors developed when compared with that generated by control cells. Hence, our data suggest that promoting differentiation of luminal A breast cancer cells by signaling emanating from Int-αvβ3 can potentially promote ‘normalization' of their malignant phenotype and may prevent the malignant cells from progressing.
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23
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Linde N, Fluegen G, Aguirre-Ghiso JA. The Relationship Between Dormant Cancer Cells and Their Microenvironment. Adv Cancer Res 2016; 132:45-71. [PMID: 27613129 PMCID: PMC5342905 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The majority of cancer deaths are due to metastases that can occur years or decades after primary tumor diagnosis and treatment. Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) surviving in a dormant state in target organs appear to explain the timing of this phenomenon. Knowledge on this process is important as it might provide a window of opportunity to prevent recurrences by eradicating dormant DTCs and/or by maintaining DTCs in a dormant state. Importantly, this research might offer markers of dormancy for early monitoring of metastatic relapse. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the regulation of entry into and exit from dormancy is still limited and crippling any therapeutic opportunity. While cancer cell-intrinsic signaling pathways have been linked to dormancy regulation, it is likely that these pathways and the switch controlling reactivation from dormancy are regulated by microenvironmental cues. Here we review and discuss recent findings on how the microenvironment regulates cancer dormancy and raise new questions that may help advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Linde
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
| | - G Fluegen
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
| | - J A Aguirre-Ghiso
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
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24
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Han HH, Kim BG, Lee JH, Kang S, Kim JE, Cho NH. Angiopoietin-2 promotes ER+ breast cancer cell survival in bone marrow niche. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:609-23. [PMID: 27353038 PMCID: PMC5064757 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, it is recognized that metastases may develop after a long period of dormancy. Bone marrow (BM) vascular niche is where the dormant tumor cells are most likely to reside. So far, it is not fully understood why the dormant tumor cells become proliferative and eventually generate tumor. We hypothesized that therapeutic or menopause-related estrogen depletion may be the switch behind dormant ER+ tumor cell awakening in BM. We utilized an existing experimental model of BM endothelial niche that can simulate ER+ tumor cell dormancy to test our hypothesis. In results, estrogen depletion paradoxically promoted ER+ tumor cell proliferation in the BM endothelial niche, and their molecular phenotype shifted from dormant to awaken. Following estrogen depletion, the BM niche cells produced angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2), which destabilized niche endothelium by interfering ANGPT1/Tie2 signaling, and promoted ER+ tumor cell survival under estrogen deficiency via cell surface integrin &1. Knockdown of ANGPT2 completely negated ER+ tumor cell awakening in the niche. Furthermore, ANGPT2 expression in ER+ tumor human samples was associated with increased risk of distant metastasis only in those who underwent adjuvant estrogen depletion therapy, not in those who did not undergo adjuvant therapy. In conclusion, we demonstrate that ANGPT2 signaling activated after estrogen depletion paradoxically triggers ER+ tumor cell awakening from dormancy in their BM niche, partly indirectly via endothelial Tie2 receptor and partly directly via tumor cell surface integrin &1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ho Han
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical ScienceYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea Department of PathologyYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Baek Gil Kim
- Department of PathologyYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joo Hyun Lee
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical ScienceYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suki Kang
- Department of PathologyYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Eun Kim
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical ScienceYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nam Hoon Cho
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical ScienceYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea Department of PathologyYonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea Severance Biomedical Science Institute (SBSI)Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea Global 5-5-10 System BiologyYonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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25
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Hurst RE, Bastian A, Bailey-Downs L, Ihnat MA. Targeting dormant micrometastases: rationale, evidence to date and clinical implications. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2016; 8:126-37. [PMID: 26929788 DOI: 10.1177/1758834015624277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of decades of research, cancer survival has increased only modestly. This is because most research is based on models of primary tumors. Slow recognition has begun that disseminated, dormant cancer cells (micrometastatic cells) that are generally resistant to chemotherapy are the culprits in recurrence, and until these are targeted effectively we can expect only slow progress in increasing overall survival from cancer. This paper reviews efforts to understand the mechanisms by which cancer cells can become dormant, and thereby identify potential targets and drugs either on the market or in clinical trials that purport to prevent metastasis. This review targets the most recent literature because several excellent reviews have covered the literature from more than two years ago. The paper also describes recent work in the authors' laboratories to develop a screening-based approach that does not require understanding of mechanisms of action or the molecular target. Success of this approach shows that targeting micrometastatic cells is definitely feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Hurst
- Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, 105 BMSB, 940 SL Young Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Anja Bastian
- Physiology, College of Medicine, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | | | - Michael A Ihnat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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26
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Bui AT, Laurent F, Havard M, Dautry F, Tchénio T. SMAD signaling and redox imbalance cooperate to induce prostate cancer cell dormancy. Cell Cycle 2016; 14:1218-31. [PMID: 25706341 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1014145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis involves the dissemination of single or small clumps of cancer cells through blood or lymphatic vessels and their extravasation into distant organs. Despite the strong regulation of metastases development by a cell dormancy phenomenon, the dormant state of cancer cells remains poorly characterized due to the difficulty of in vivo studies. We have recently shown in vitro that clonogenicity of prostate cancer cells is regulated by a dormancy phenomenon that is strongly induced when cells are cultured both at low cell density and in a slightly hypertonic medium. Here, we characterized by RT-qPCR a genetic expression signature of this dormant state which combines the presence of both stemness and differentiation markers. We showed that both TFGβ/BMP signaling and redox imbalance are required for the full induction of this dormancy signature and cell quiescence. Moreover, reconstruction experiments showed that TFGβ/BMP signaling and redox imbalance are sufficient to generate a pattern of genetic expression displaying all characteristic features of the dormancy signature. Finally, we observed that low cell density was sufficient to activate TGFβ/BMP signaling and to generate a slight redox imbalance thus priming cells for dormancy that can be attained with a co-stimulus like hypertonicity, most likely through an increased redox imbalance. The identification of a dual regulation of dormancy provides a framework for the interpretation of previous reports showing a restricted ability of BMP signaling to regulate cancer cell dormancy in vivo and draws attention on the role of oxidative stress in the metastatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Thu Bui
- a LBPA ; UMR8113 ENSC - CNRS; Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan ; Cachan , France
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Tivari S, Korah R, Lindy M, Wieder R. An In Vitro Dormancy Model of Estrogen-sensitive Breast Cancer in the Bone Marrow: A Tool for Molecular Mechanism Studies and Hypothesis Generation. J Vis Exp 2015:e52672. [PMID: 26168083 DOI: 10.3791/52672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of breast cancer dormancy in the bone marrow is an exceptionally difficult undertaking due to the complexity of the interactions of dormant cells with their microenvironment, their rarity and the overwhelming excess of hematopoietic cells. Towards this end, we developed an in vitro 2D clonogenic model of dormancy of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells in the bone marrow. The model consists of a few key elements necessary for dormancy. These include 1) the use of estrogen sensitive breast cancer cells, which are the type likely to remain dormant for extended periods, 2) incubation of cells at clonogenic density, where the structural interaction of each cell is primarily with the substratum, 3) fibronectin, a key structural element of the marrow and 4) FGF-2, a growth factor abundantly synthesized by bone marrow stromal cells and heavily deposited in the extracellular matrix. Cells incubated with FGF-2 form dormant clones after 6 days, which consist of 12 or less cells that have a distinct flat appearance, are significantly larger and more spread out than growing cells and have large cytoplasm to nucleus ratios. In contrast, cells incubated without FGF-2 form primarily growing colonies consisting of>30 relatively small cells. Perturbations of the system with antibodies, inhibitors, peptides or nucleic acids on day 3 after incubation can significantly affect various phenotypic and molecular aspects of the dormant cells at 6 days and can be used to assess the roles of membrane-localized or intracellular molecules, factors or signaling pathways on the dormant state or survival of dormant cells. While recognizing the in vitro nature of the assay, it can function as a highly useful tool to glean significant information about the molecular mechanisms necessary for establishment and survival of dormant cells. This data can be used to generate hypotheses to be tested in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Tivari
- Department of Medicine and New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
| | - Reju Korah
- Department of Medicine and New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
| | - Michael Lindy
- Department of Medicine and New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
| | - Robert Wieder
- Department of Medicine and New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School;
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A cellular automaton model for tumor dormancy: emergence of a proliferative switch. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109934. [PMID: 25329892 PMCID: PMC4199683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant cancers that lead to fatal outcomes for patients may remain dormant for very long periods of time. Although individual mechanisms such as cellular dormancy, angiogenic dormancy and immunosurveillance have been proposed, a comprehensive understanding of cancer dormancy and the “switch” from a dormant to a proliferative state still needs to be strengthened from both a basic and clinical point of view. Computational modeling enables one to explore a variety of scenarios for possible but realistic microscopic dormancy mechanisms and their predicted outcomes. The aim of this paper is to devise such a predictive computational model of dormancy with an emergent “switch” behavior. Specifically, we generalize a previous cellular automaton (CA) model for proliferative growth of solid tumor that now incorporates a variety of cell-level tumor-host interactions and different mechanisms for tumor dormancy, for example the effects of the immune system. Our new CA rules induce a natural “competition” between the tumor and tumor suppression factors in the microenvironment. This competition either results in a “stalemate” for a period of time in which the tumor either eventually wins (spontaneously emerges) or is eradicated; or it leads to a situation in which the tumor is eradicated before such a “stalemate” could ever develop. We also predict that if the number of actively dividing cells within the proliferative rim of the tumor reaches a critical, yet low level, the dormant tumor has a high probability to resume rapid growth. Our findings may shed light on the fundamental understanding of cancer dormancy.
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