1
|
Jia W, Liang S, Cheng B, Ling C. The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Value of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:763519. [PMID: 34868982 PMCID: PMC8636329 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.763519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasion and metastasis are the main reasons for the high mortality of liver cancer, which involve the interaction of tumor stromal cells and malignant cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major constituents of tumor stromal cells affecting tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The heterogeneous properties and sources of CAFs make both tumor-supporting and tumor-suppression effects possible. The mechanisms for CAFs in supporting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression can be categorized into upregulated aggressiveness and stemness, transformed metabolism toward glycolysis and glutamine reductive carboxylation, polarized tumor immunity toward immune escape of HCC cells, and increased angiogenesis. The tumor-suppressive effect of fibroblasts highlights the functional heterogenicity of CAF populations and provides new insights into tumor–stromal interplay mechanisms. In this review, we introduced several key inflammatory signaling pathways in the transformation of CAFs from normal stromal cells and the heterogeneous biofunctions of activated CAFs. In view of the pleiotropic regulation properties of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and heterogeneous effects of CAFs, we also introduced the application and values of TCM in the treatment of HCC through targeting CAFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Jia
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changquan Ling
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dituri F, Centonze M, Berenschot EJW, Tas NR, Susarrey-Arce A, Krol S. Complex Tumor Spheroid Formation and One-Step Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Purification from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tissue Promoted by Inorganic Surface Topography. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:3233. [PMID: 34947582 PMCID: PMC8706479 DOI: 10.3390/nano11123233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In vitro cell models play important roles as testbeds for toxicity studies, drug development, or as replacements in animal experiments. In particular, complex tumor models such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are needed to predict drug efficacy and facilitate translation into clinical practice. In this work, topographical features of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2) are fabricated and tested for cell culture of primary HCC cells and cell lines. The topographies vary from pyramids to octahedrons to structures named fractals, with increased hierarchy and organized in periodic arrays (square or Hexagonal). The pyramids were found to promote complex 2D/3D tissue formation from primary HCC cells. It was found that the 2D layer was mainly composed of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), while the 3D spheroids were composed of tumor cells enwrapped by a CAF layer. Compared with conventional protocols for 3D cultures, this novel approach mimics the 2D/3D complexity of the original tumor by invading CAFs and a microtumor. Topographies such as octahedrons and fractals exclude tumor cells and allow one-step isolation of CAFs even directly from tumor tissue of patients as the CAFs migrate into the structured substrate. Cell lines form spheroids within a short time. The presented inorganic topographical surfaces stimulate complex spheroid formation while avoiding additional biological scaffolds and allowing direct visualization on the substrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dituri
- Laboratory for Personalized Medicine, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte Via Turi 27, 70013 Bari, Italy; (F.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Matteo Centonze
- Laboratory for Personalized Medicine, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte Via Turi 27, 70013 Bari, Italy; (F.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Erwin J. W. Berenschot
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems, MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands; (E.J.W.B.); (N.R.T.)
| | - Niels R. Tas
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems, MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands; (E.J.W.B.); (N.R.T.)
| | - Arturo Susarrey-Arce
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems, MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands; (E.J.W.B.); (N.R.T.)
| | - Silke Krol
- Laboratory for Personalized Medicine, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte Via Turi 27, 70013 Bari, Italy; (F.D.); (M.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kurisu N, Kaminade T, Eguchi M, Ishigami I, Mizuguchi H, Sakurai F. Oncolytic reovirus-mediated killing of mouse cancer-associated fibroblasts. Int J Pharm 2021; 610:121269. [PMID: 34748806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses, which mediate tumor cell-specific infection, resulting in efficient tumor cell killing, have attracted much attention as a novel class of anti-cancer biopharmaceutical agents. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an important component of the tumor microenvironment that strongly supports the growth, survival, and metastasis of tumor cells, suggesting that CAFs would have influence to the antitumor effects of oncolytic viruses; however, it remains to be fully evaluated whether oncolytic viruses affect the viabilities and properties of CAFs following treatment. Oncolytic reovirus, which is a non-enveloped virus that contains 10-segmented double-stranded RNA genome, shows efficient tumor cell lysis without apparent cytotoxicity to normal cells and has been tested worldwide in clinical trials against various types of tumors. In this study, we demonstrated that reovirus exhibited cytotoxicity against mouse primary CAFs isolated from subcutaneous tumors, but not against tail-tip fibroblasts. Infection with reovirus resulted in activation of caspase 3 and up-regulation of apoptosis-related gene expression, indicating that reovirus induced apoptosis of mouse primary CAFs. Intratumoral administration of reovirus induced apoptosis of mouse CAFs in the tumor. Taken together, these results indicate that reovirus has the potential to mediate antitumor effects by killing not only cancer cells but also CAFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Kurisu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadataka Kaminade
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Maho Eguchi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ikuho Ishigami
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mizuguchi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Laboratory of Hepatocyte Regulation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan; The Center for Advanced Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fuminori Sakurai
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kalasekar SM, VanSant-Webb CH, Evason KJ. Intratumor Heterogeneity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5524. [PMID: 34771685 PMCID: PMC8582820 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a leading cause of cancer-related death, but it remains difficult to treat. Intratumor genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity are inherent properties of breast, skin, lung, prostate, and brain tumors, and intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) helps define prognosis and therapeutic response in these cancers. Several recent studies estimate that ITH is inherent to HCC and attribute the clinical intractability of HCC to this heterogeneity. In this review, we examine the evidence for genomic, phenotypic, and tumor microenvironment ITH in HCC, with a focus on two of the top molecular drivers of HCC: β-catenin (CTNNB1) and Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). We discuss the influence of ITH on HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy, while highlighting the gaps in knowledge and possible future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kimberley J. Evason
- Department of Pathology and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (S.M.K.); (C.H.V.-W.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang J, Gu C, Song Q, Zhu M, Xu Y, Xiao M, Zheng W. Identifying cancer-associated fibroblasts as emerging targets for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Biosci 2020; 10:127. [PMID: 33292459 PMCID: PMC7603733 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-020-00488-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex multicellular functional compartment that includes fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM) elements. The microenvironment provides an optimum condition for the initiation, growth, and dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As one of the critical and abundant components in tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been implicated in the progression of HCC. Through secreting various growth factors and cytokines, CAFs contribute to the ECM remodeling, stem features, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM), which reinforce the initiation and development of HCC. In order to restrain the CAFs-initiated HCC progression, current strategies include targeting specific markers, engineering CAFs with tumor-suppressive phenotype, depleting CAFs’ precursors, and repressing the secretions or downstream signaling. In this review, we update the emerging understanding of CAFs in HCC, with particular emphasis on cellular origin, phenotypes, biological functions and targeted strategies. It provides insights into the targeting CAFs for HCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chaoyu Gu
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, One Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Mengqi Zhu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuqing Xu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingbing Xiao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wenjie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yin Z, Dong C, Jiang K, Xu Z, Li R, Guo K, Shao S, Wang L. Heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts and roles in the progression, prognosis, and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:101. [PMID: 31547836 PMCID: PMC6757399 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal disease, and recurrence and metastasis are the major causes of death in HCC patients. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a major stromal cell type in the HCC microenvironment, promote HCC progression, and have gradually become a hot research topic in HCC-targeted therapy. This review comprehensively describes and discusses the heterogeneous tissue distribution, cellular origin, phenotype, and biological functions of HCC-associated fibroblasts. Furthermore, the possible use of CAFs for predicting HCC prognosis and in targeted therapeutic strategies is discussed, highlighting the critical roles of CAFs in HCC progression, diagnosis, and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeli Yin
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
| | - Chengyong Dong
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
| | - Keqiu Jiang
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhe Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
| | - Rui Li
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China
| | - Kun Guo
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China.
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China.
| | - Shujuan Shao
- Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Lvshun South Road, Lvshunkou District, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China.
| | - Liming Wang
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China.
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China.
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 467 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116027, Liaoning, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Benzoubir N, Mussini C, Lejamtel C, Dos Santos A, Guillaume C, Desterke C, Samuel D, Bréchot C, Bourgeade MF, Guettier C. Gamma-smooth muscle actin expression is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stem-like properties in hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130559. [PMID: 26110787 PMCID: PMC4482489 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is hampered by frequent tumour recurrence and metastases. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is now recognized as a key process in tumour invasion, metastasis and the generation of cancer initiating cells. The morphological identification of EMT in tumour samples from the expression of novel mesenchymal markers could provide relevant prognostic information and aid in understanding the metastatic process. METHODS The expression of Smooth Muscle Actins was studied using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays in cultured liver cells during an induced EMT process and in liver specimens from adult and paediatric HCC series. RESULTS We report here that in HCC cell lines treated with TGF-β and in HCC specimens, the expression of αSMA, a known mesenchymal marker of EMT, could never be detected. In addition, our in vitro studies identified the enteric form of SMA, γSMA, as being a marker of EMT. Moreover, this SMA isoform was expressed in 46% of 58 tumours from 42 adult HCC patients and in 90% of 16 tumours from 12 paediatric HCC patients. Interestingly, this expression was significantly correlated with poor tumour differentiation and progenitor cell features characterized by the expression of EpCAM and K19. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results support the conclusion that γSMA expression in HCC is strongly correlated with the EMT process, HCC aggressiveness and the identification of cancer stem cells. This correlation suggests that γSMA represents a novel and powerful marker to predict HCC progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nassima Benzoubir
- Inserm, Unité 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, France
| | - Charlotte Mussini
- AP-HP Hôpital Kremlin-Bicêtre, Service d’Anatomopathologie, Paris, France
- DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, France
| | - Charlène Lejamtel
- Inserm, Unité 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
| | - Alexandre Dos Santos
- Inserm, Unité 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, France
| | - Claire Guillaume
- AP-HP Hôpital Kremlin-Bicêtre, Service d’Anatomopathologie, Paris, France
- DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Didier Samuel
- Inserm, Unité 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépatobiliaire, Villejuif, France
- DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, France
| | - Christian Bréchot
- Inserm, Unité 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Françoise Bourgeade
- Inserm, Unité 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépatobiliaire, Villejuif, France
- DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Catherine Guettier
- Inserm, Unité 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, UMR-S 785, Villejuif, F-94800, France
- AP-HP Hôpital Kremlin-Bicêtre, Service d’Anatomopathologie, Paris, France
- DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, France
| |
Collapse
|