scholarly journals Crosstalk between cancer cells and blood endothelial and lymphatic endothelial cells in tumour and organ microenvironment

Author(s):  
Esak Lee ◽  
Niranjan B. Pandey ◽  
Aleksander S. Popel

Tumour and organ microenvironments are crucial for cancer progression and metastasis. Crosstalk between multiple non-malignant cell types in the microenvironments and cancer cells promotes tumour growth and metastasis. Blood and lymphatic endothelial cells (BEC and LEC) are two of the components in the microenvironments. Tumour blood vessels (BV), comprising BEC, serve as conduits for blood supply into the tumour, and are important for tumour growth as well as haematogenous tumour dissemination. Lymphatic vessels (LV), comprising LEC, which are relatively leaky compared with BV, are essential for lymphogenous tumour dissemination. In addition to describing the conventional roles of the BV and LV, we also discuss newly emerging roles of these endothelial cells: their crosstalk with cancer cells via molecules secreted by the BEC and LEC (also called angiocrine and lymphangiocrine factors). This review suggests that BEC and LEC in various microenvironments can be orchestrators of tumour progression and proposes new mechanism-based strategies to discover new therapies to supplement conventional anti-angiogenic and anti-lymphangiogenic therapies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (19) ◽  
pp. e2019580118
Author(s):  
Naofumi Yoshida ◽  
Seiji Yamamoto ◽  
Takeru Hamashima ◽  
Noriko Okuno ◽  
Naruho Okita ◽  
...  

Along with blood vessels, lymphatic vessels play an important role in the circulation of body fluid and recruitment of immune cells. Postnatal lymphangiogenesis commonly occurs from preexisting lymphatic vessels by sprouting, which is induced by lymphangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C). However, the key signals and cell types that stimulate pathological lymphangiogenesis, such as human cystic lymphangioma, are less well known. Here, we found that mouse dermal fibroblasts that infiltrate to sponges subcutaneously implanted express VEGF-D and sushi, Von Willebrand factor type A, EGF, and pentraxin domain containing 1 (SVEP1) in response to PDGFRβ signal. In vitro, Pdgfrb knockout (β-KO) fibroblasts had reduced expression of VEGF-D and SVEP1 and overproduced Amphiregulin. Dysregulation of these three factors was involved in the cyst-like and uneven distribution of lymphatic vessels observed in the β-KO mice. Similarly, in human cystic lymphangioma, which is one of the intractable diseases and mostly occurs in childhood, fibroblasts surrounding cystic lymphatics highly expressed Amphiregulin. Moreover, fibroblast-derived Amphiregulin could induce the expression of Amphiregulin in lymphatic endothelial cells. The dual source of Amphiregulin activated EGFR expressed on the lymphatic endothelial cells. This exacerbation cascade induced proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells to form cystic lymphangioma. Ultimately, excessive Amphiregulin produced by fibroblasts surrounding lymphatics and by lymphatic endothelial cells per se results in pathogenesis of cystic lymphangioma and will be a fascinating therapeutic target of cystic lymphangioma.



2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6865
Author(s):  
Kirstine Sandal Nørregaard ◽  
Henrik Jessen Jürgensen ◽  
Henrik Gårdsvoll ◽  
Lars Henning Engelholm ◽  
Niels Behrendt ◽  
...  

Cancer-induced bone degradation is part of the pathological process associated with both primary bone cancers, such as osteosarcoma, and bone metastases originating from, e.g., breast, prostate, and colon carcinomas. Typically, this includes a cancer-dependent hijacking of processes also occurring during physiological bone remodeling, including osteoclast-mediated disruption of the inorganic bone component and collagenolysis. Extensive research has revealed the significance of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption throughout the course of disease for both primary and secondary bone cancer. Nevertheless, cancer cells representing both primary bone cancer and bone metastasis have also been implicated directly in bone degradation. We will present and discuss observations on the contribution of osteoclasts and cancer cells in cancer-associated bone degradation and reciprocal modulatory actions between these cells. The focus of this review is osteosarcoma, but we will also include relevant observations from studies of bone metastasis. Additionally, we propose a model for cancer-associated bone degradation that involves a collaboration between osteoclasts and cancer cells and in which both cell types may directly participate in the degradation process.



Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Brisson ◽  
Stéphanie Chadet ◽  
Osbaldo Lopez-Charcas ◽  
Bilel Jelassi ◽  
David Ternant ◽  
...  

The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated cation channel with a still ambiguous role in cancer progression, proposed to be either pro- or anti-cancerous, depending on the cancer or cell type in the tumour. Its role in mammary cancer progression is not yet defined. Here, we show that P2X7 receptor is functional in highly aggressive mammary cancer cells, and induces a change in cell morphology with fast F-actin reorganization and formation of filopodia, and promotes cancer cell invasiveness through both 2- and 3-dimensional extracellular matrices in vitro. Furthermore, P2X7 receptor sustains Cdc42 activity and the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype. In an immunocompetent mouse mammary cancer model, we reveal that the expression of P2X7 receptor in cancer cells, but not in the host mice, promotes tumour growth and metastasis development, which were reduced by treatment with specific P2X7 antagonists. Our results demonstrate that P2X7 receptor drives mammary tumour progression and represents a pertinent target for mammary cancer treatment.



2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 2669-2676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Spinella ◽  
Emirena Garrafa ◽  
Valeriana Di Castro ◽  
Laura Rosanò ◽  
Maria Rita Nicotra ◽  
...  


2017 ◽  
Vol 215 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana V. Petrova ◽  
Gou Young Koh

Recent discoveries of novel functions and diverse origins of lymphatic vessels have drastically changed our view of lymphatic vasculature. Traditionally regarded as passive conduits for fluid and immune cells, lymphatic vessels now emerge as active, tissue-specific players in major physiological and pathophysiological processes. Lymphatic vessels show remarkable plasticity and heterogeneity, reflecting their functional specialization to control the tissue microenvironment. Moreover, alternative developmental origins of lymphatic endothelial cells in some organs may contribute to the diversity of their functions in adult tissues. This review aims to summarize the most recent findings of organotypic differentiation of lymphatic endothelial cells in terms of their distinct (patho)physiological functions in skin, lymph nodes, small intestine, brain, and eye. We discuss recent advances in our understanding of the heterogeneity of lymphatic vessels with respect to the organ-specific functional and molecular specialization of lymphatic endothelium, such as the hybrid blood-lymphatic identity of Schlemm’s canal, functions of intestinal lymphatics in dietary fat uptake, and discovery of meningeal lymphatic vasculature and perivascular brain lymphatic endothelial cells.



2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14014-e14014
Author(s):  
Maria Grazia Cerrito ◽  
Davide Pelizzoni ◽  
Marco De Giorgi ◽  
Nunzio Digiacomo ◽  
Marialuisa Lavitrano ◽  
...  

e14014 Background: TNBC represents an important clinical challenge because of poor prognosis. One of the emerging strategy to achieve disease control while reducing toxicity is metronomic chemotherapy (mCHT) which targets the endothelial cells (ECs) and inhibits the tumor growth. mVRL is a promising option in patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), resulting in a median PFS of 7.7 months and median OS of 15.9. To better explain the effect of mVRL we studied the effects of metronomic doses of VRL in in vitro models and compared them with standard doses of the same drug. Methods: Cell viability and cytotoxicity assays were performed on TNBC cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). Cell lines were exposed to different concentration (0,01nM-1mM) of VRL for 4 and 96 h. To simulate the metronomic dosing schedule, we replaced the drug-enriched medium every 24h, while to simulate the conventional administration protocol (sCHT) cells were exposed to VRL for 4h, then the medium was changed and replaced with fresh medium without drug every 24 h. The IC50was calculated by non-linear regression fit of the mean values of data obtained in triplicate experiments. Results: A significant anti-proliferative activity was observed on both HUVEC and MDA cells treated with VRL in mCHT as compared to sCHT protocol (see Table). These lower drug concentrations did not have remarkable effects on cell death. Conversely, the higher dose utilized in sCHT produced important cell death in MDA as well as in HUVEC, even if in vivo, the higher dose of drug inducing the largest apoptosis of cancer cells also affectd healthy proliferating cells causing toxicity. Our findings suggest that mCHT inhibited the proliferation of both endothelial and tumour cells and can block cancer progression with minor side effects. Conclusions: This study provides the proof-of-concept that metronomic doses of VRL, but not the standard ones, are able to inhibit, at the same concentration, both the ECs and the TNBC cells. The clinical trial TEMPO-BREAST, which compares metronomic vs standard VRL, is ongoing in MBC pts. [Table: see text]



2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esak Lee ◽  
Elana J. Fertig ◽  
Kideok Jin ◽  
Saraswati Sukumar ◽  
Niranjan B. Pandey ◽  
...  


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 673-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotta Jussila ◽  
Kari Alitalo

Blood and lymphatic vessels develop in a parallel, but independent manner, and together form the circulatory system allowing the passage of fluid and delivering molecules within the body. Although the lymphatic vessels were discovered already 300 years ago, at the same time as the blood circulation was described, the lymphatic system has remained relatively neglected until recently. This is in part due to the difficulties in recognizing these vessels in tissues because of a lack of specific markers. Over the past few years, several molecules expressed specifically in the lymphatic endothelial cells have been characterized, and knowledge about the lymphatic system has started to accumulate again. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of growth factors and receptors is involved in the development and growth of the vascular endothelial system. Two of its family members, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, regulate the lymphatic endothelial cells via their receptor VEGFR-3. With the aid of these molecules, lymphatic endothelial cells can be isolated and cultured, allowing detailed studies of the molecular properties of these cells. Also the role of the lymphatic endothelium in immune responses and certain pathological conditions can be studied in more detail, as the blood and lymphatic vessels seem to be involved in many diseases in a coordinated manner. Discoveries made so far will be helpful in the diagnosis of certain vascular tumors, in the design of specific treatments for lymphedema, and in the prevention of metastatic tumor spread via the lymphatic system.



2015 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. BIC.S30347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shosaku Nomura ◽  
Maiko Niki ◽  
Tohru Nisizawa ◽  
Takeshi Tamaki ◽  
Michiomi Shimizu

Cancer is associated with hypercoagulopathy and increased risk of thrombosis. This negatively influences patient morbidity and mortality. Cancer is also frequently complicated by the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Tumor-derived tissue factor (TF)-bearing microparticles (MPs) are associated with VTE events in malignancy. MPs are small membrane vesicles released from many different cell types by exocytic budding of the plasma membrane in response to cellular activation or apoptosis. MPs may also be involved in clinical diseases through expression of procoagulative phospholipids. The detection of TF-expressing MPs in cancer patients may be clinically useful. In lung and breast cancer patients, MPs induce metastasis and angiogenesis and may be indicators of vascular complications. Additionally, MPs in patients with various types of cancer possess adhesion proteins and bind target cells to promoting cancer progression or metastasis. Overexpression of TF by cancer cells is closely associated with tumor progression, and shedding of TF-expressing MPs by cancer cells correlates with the genetic status of cancer. Consequently, TF-expressing MPs represent important markers to consider in the prevention of and therapy for VTE complications in cancer patients.



Author(s):  
Noriki Fujimoto ◽  
Yuliang He ◽  
Marco D’Addio ◽  
Carlotta Tacconi ◽  
Michael Detmar ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTLymph nodes (LNs) are highly organized secondary lymphoid organs that mediate adaptive immune responses to antigens delivered via afferent lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) line intranodal lymphatic sinuses and organize lymph and antigen distribution. LECs also directly regulate T cells, mediating peripheral tolerance to self-antigens, and play a major role in many diseases including cancer metastasis. However, little is known about the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of LN LECs. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we comprehensively defined the transcriptome of LECs in murine skin-draining LNs, and identified new markers and functions of distinct LEC subpopulations. We found that LECs residing in the subcapsular sinus have an unanticipated function in scavenging of modified LDL and also identified a specific cortical LEC subtype implicated in rapid lymphocyte egress from LNs. Our data provide new insights into the diversity of LECs in murine lymph nodes and a rich resource for future studies into the regulation of immune responses by lymph node LECs.



Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document