scholarly journals Tumour cell-derived debris and IgG synergistically promote metastasis of pancreatic cancer by inducing inflammation via tumour-associated macrophages

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (9) ◽  
pp. 786-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Chen ◽  
Jianxin Wang ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Jingying Zhang ◽  
Yu Lou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Tumour Cell ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background The progression and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly dependent on the tumour microenvironment. Most tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are M2 phenotype macrophages, which normally show anti-inflammatory functions in numerous disorders. Previously, we found that alternatively activated macrophages showed pro-inflammatory characteristics upon stimulation with hepatoma cell-derived debris; however, the molecular mechanism was unclear. Methods In vitro and in vivo experiments were employed to investigate the molecular mechanism. Using pancreatic cancer cell lines, mouse models and human tissues, we obtained a general picture of tumour cell-derived debris promoting metastasis of pancreatic cancer by inducing inflammation via TAMs. Results We showed that M2 macrophage-derived inflammation also exists in PDAC. Debris from PDAC cells induced potent IL-1β release by M2 macrophages via TLR4/TRIF/NF-κB signalling, and this effect was further boosted by IgG that was also derived from PDAC cells. Increased IL-1β promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition and consequent metastasis of PDAC cells. A selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, enhanced the anti-tumoural efficacy of gemcitabine. Conclusions These data revealed a pro-inflammatory mechanism in PDAC, which indicated that IL-1β and COX-2 could be therapeutic targets of an anti-inflammatory strategy to treat PDAC.

Effect of tumor cell-derived debris and IgG on metastasis of pancreatic cancer and inflammation through tumor-associated macrophages.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15764-e15764
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
Xueli Bai ◽  
Jianxin Wang ◽  
Tingbo Liang
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
M2 Macrophages ◽  
Tumor Associated Macrophages ◽  
Alternatively Activated Macrophages ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

e15764 Background: The progression and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly dependent on the tumor microenvironment. Most tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are M2 phenotypic macrophages, which normally show anti-inflammatory functions in numerous disorders. We previously found that alternatively activated macrophages showed pro-inflammatory characteristics upon stimulation of hepatoma cell-derived debris, but the molecular mechanism was unclear. Methods: Macrophages were induced using tumor cell debris. Xenograft mouse model was established. Immunoblotting and immunochemistry were used to test protein expression. Results: The M2 macrophages-derived inflammation also existed in PDAC. We proved that the necrotic debris of PDAC cells induced potent IL-1β release by M2 macrophages via TLR4/TRIF/NF-κB signaling, and this effect was further boosted by IgG that also derived from PDAC cells. We further revealed that increased IL-1β promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and consequent metastasis of PDAC cells. Using a selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, we enhanced the anti-tumoral efficacy of gemcitabine. Conclusions: These data revealed a special pro-inflammatory phenomenon and mechanism in PDAC, and indicated that IL-1β and COX-2 can be therapeutic targets of anti-inflammatory strategy in PDAC treatment.

scholarly journals Pancreatic Cancers with High Grade Tumor Budding Exhibit Hallmarks of Diminished Anti-Tumor Immunity

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1090
Author(s):  
Hassan Sadozai ◽  
Animesh Acharjee ◽  
Thomas Gruber ◽  
Beat Gloor ◽  
Eva Karamitopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Budding ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Tumor budding is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and diminished survival in a number of cancer types including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, we dissect the immune landscapes of patients with high grade versus low grade tumor budding to determine the features associated with immune escape and disease progression in pancreatic cancer. We performed immunohistochemistry-based quantification of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes and tumor bud assessment in a cohort of n = 111 PDAC patients in a tissue microarray (TMA) format. Patients were divided based on the ITBCC categories of tumor budding as Low Grade (LG: categories 1 and 2) and High Grade (HG: category 3). Tumor budding numbers and tumor budding grade demonstrated a significant association with diminished overall survival (OS). HG cases exhibit notably reduced densities of stromal (S) and intratumoral (IT) T cells. HG cases also display lower M1 macrophages (S) and increased M2 macrophages (IT). These findings were validated using gene expression data from TCGA. A published tumor budding gene signature demonstrated a significant association with diminished survival in PDAC patients in TCGA. Immune-related gene expression revealed an immunosuppressive TME in PDAC cases with high expression of the budding signature. Our findings highlight a number of immune features that permit an improved understanding of disease progression and EMT in pancreatic cancer.

scholarly journals RNA m6A Demethylase ALKBH5 Protects Against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma via Targeting Regulators of Iron Metabolism

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Huang ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Zhiwen Zhang ◽  
Xiaoding Liu ◽  
Yi Fei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Iron Metabolism ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Stable Cell Line ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Although RNA m6A regulators have been implicated in the tumorigenesis of several different types of tumors, including pancreatic cancer, their clinical relevance and intrinsic regulatory mechanism remain elusive. This study analyzed eight m6A regulators (METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, FTO, ALKBH5, and YTHDF1-3) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and found that only RNA m6A demethylase ALKBH5 serves as an independent favorable prognostic marker for this tumor. To better understand the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect conferred by ALKBH5 against pancreatic tumorigenesis, we performed a transcriptome-wide analysis of m6A methylation, gene expression, and alternative splicing (AS) using the MIA PaCa-2 stable cell line with ALKBH5 overexpression. We demonstrated that ALKBH5 overexpression induced a reduction in RNA m6A levels globally. Furthermore, mRNAs encoding ubiquitin ligase FBXL5, and mitochondrial iron importers SLC25A28 and SLC25A37, were identified as substrates of ALKBH5. Mechanistically, the RNA stabilities of FBXL5 and SLC25A28, and the AS of SLC25A37 were affected, which led to their upregulation in pancreatic cancer cell line. Particularly, we observed that downregulation of FBXL5 in tumor samples correlated with shorter survival time of patients. Owing to FBXL5-mediated degradation, ALKBH5 overexpression incurred a significant reduction in iron-regulatory protein IRP2 and the modulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) SNAI1. Notably, ALKBH5 overexpression led to a significant reduction in intracellular iron levels as well as cell migratory and invasive abilities, which could be rescued by knocking down FBXL5. Overall, our results reveal a previously uncharacterized mechanism of ALKBH5 in protecting against PDAC through modulating regulators of iron metabolism and underscore the multifaceted role of m6A in pancreatic cancer.

scholarly journals Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling: The Culprit in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monish Ram Makena ◽  
Himavanth Gatla ◽  
Dattesh Verlekar ◽  
Sahithi Sukhavasi ◽  
Manoj K. Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pancreatic Carcinogenesis ◽  
Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is responsible for 7.3% of all cancer deaths. Even though there is a steady increase in patient survival for most cancers over the decades, the patient survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains low with current therapeutic strategies. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway controls the maintenance of somatic stem cells in many tissues and organs and is implicated in pancreatic carcinogenesis by regulating cell cycle progression, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, stemness, tumor immune microenvironment, etc. Further, dysregulated Wnt has been shown to cause drug resistance in pancreatic cancer. Although different Wnt antagonists are effective in pancreatic patients, limitations remain that must be overcome to increase the survival benefits associated with this emerging therapy. In this review, we have summarized the role of Wnt signaling in pancreatic cancer and suggested future directions to enhance the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

scholarly journals Crosstalk between KRAS, SRC and YAP Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer: Interactions Leading to Aggressive Disease and Drug Resistance

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5126
Author(s):  
Enrique Rozengurt ◽  
Guido Eibl
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Src Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Predominant Form

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the predominant form of pancreatic cancer, remains a devastating disease. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent literature on mechanistic and translational developments that advance our understanding of a complex crosstalk between KRAS, YAP and Src tyrosine kinase family (SFK) in PDAC development and maintenance. We discuss recent studies indicating the importance of RAS dimerization in signal transduction and new findings showing that the potent pro-oncogenic members of the SFK phosphorylate and inhibit RAS function. These surprising findings imply that RAS may not play a crucial role in maintaining certain subtypes of PDAC. In support of this interpretation, current evidence indicates that the survival of the basal-like subtype of PDAC is less dependent on RAS but relies, at least in part, on the activity of YAP/TAZ. Based on current evidence, we propose that SFK propels PDAC cells to a state of high metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reduced dependence on KRAS signaling, salient features of the aggressive basal-like/squamous subtype of PDAC. Strategies for PDAC treatment should consider the opposite effects of tyrosine phosphorylation on KRAS and SFK/YAP in the design of drug combinations that target these novel crosstalk mechanisms and overcome drug resistance.

scholarly journals Inactivation of APC Induces CD34 Upregulation to Promote Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cell Traits in Pancreatic Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4473
Author(s):  
Mei Jen Hsieh ◽  
Tai-Jan Chiu ◽  
Yu Chun Lin ◽  
Ching-Chieh Weng ◽  
Yu-Ting Weng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Intraepithelial Neoplasia ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Response To Chemotherapy ◽  
And Migration

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy due to the cancer routinely being diagnosed late and having a limited response to chemotherapy. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of pancreatic malignant tumor, representing more than 85% of all pancreatic cancers. In the present study, we characterized the phenotypes of concomitant P53 and APC mutations in pancreatic neoplasms driven by the oncogene KRAS in genetically modified mice (GEMM). In this GEMM setting, APC haploinsufficiency coupled with P53 deletion and KRASG12D activation resulted in an earlier appearance of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions and progressed rapidly to highly invasive and metastatic PDAC. Through a microarray analysis of murine PDAC cells derived from our APC-deficient PDAC model, we observed that APC loss leads to upregulated CD34 expression in PDAC. CD34 is a member of a family of single-pass transmembrane proteins and is selectively expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells, vascular endothelial cells, interstitial precursor cells, and various interstitial tumor cells. However, the functional roles of CD34 in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Thus, in this study, we explored the mechanisms regarding how CD34 promotes the deterioration of pancreatic malignancy. Our results demonstrated that the increased expression of CD34 induced by APC inactivation promotes the invasion and migration of PDAC cells, which may relate to PDAC metastasis in vivo. Collectively, our study provides first-line evidence to delineate the association between CD34 and the APC/Wnt pathway in PDAC, and reveals the potential roles of CD34 in PDAC progression.

scholarly journals TGFβ Drives Metabolic Perturbations during Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Cancer: TGFβ Induced EMT in PDAC

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6204
Author(s):  
Meena U. Rajagopal ◽  
Shivani Bansal ◽  
Prabhjit Kaur ◽  
Shreyans K. Jain ◽  
Tatiana Altadil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Resectable Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy wherein a majority of patients present metastatic disease at diagnosis. Although the role of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), mediated by transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), in imparting an aggressive phenotype to PDAC is well documented, the underlying biochemical pathway perturbations driving this behaviour have not been elucidated. We used high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) based molecular phenotyping approach in order to delineate metabolic changes concomitant to TGFβ-induced EMT in pancreatic cancer cells. Strikingly, we observed robust changes in amino acid and energy metabolism that may contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis. Somewhat unexpectedly, TGFβ treatment resulted in an increase in intracellular levels of retinoic acid (RA) that in turn resulted in increased levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including fibronectin (FN) and collagen (COL1). These findings were further validated in plasma samples obtained from patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Taken together, these observations provide novel insights into small molecule dysregulation that triggers a molecular cascade resulting in increased EMT-like changes in pancreatic cancer cells, a paradigm that can be potentially targeted for better clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals NRF2 Knockdown Resensitizes 5-Fluorouracil-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Suppressing HO-1 and ABCG2 Expression

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4646
Author(s):  
Eui Joo Kim ◽  
Yoon Jae Kim ◽  
Hye In Lee ◽  
Seok-Hoo Jeong ◽  
Hyo Jung Nam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Emt Markers ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase 2

Chemoresistance is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with pancreatic cancer and remains an obstacle to successful treatment. The antioxidant transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 (NRF2), which plays important roles in tumor angiogenesis and invasiveness, is upregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), where it correlates with poor survival. Here, we investigated the role of NRF2 in two 5-Fluourouracil-resistant (5-FUR) PDAC cell lines: BxPC-3 and CFPAC-1. Levels of NRF2 and antioxidants, such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), were higher in the chemoresistant cells than in their chemosensitive counterparts. Expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, stemness markers, including Nanog, Oct4, and CD133, and that of the drug transporter ATP binding cassette, subfamily G, member A2 (ABCG2) was also upregulated in 5-FUR PDAC cells. NRF2 knockdown reversed 5-FU resistance of PDAC cells via suppression of ABCG2 and HO-1. In summary, these data indicate that NRF2 is a potential target for resensitizing 5-FUR PDAC cells to 5-FU to improve treatment outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer.

scholarly journals Coupling G2/M arrest to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway restrains pancreatic adenocarcinoma

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayantani Sarkar ◽  
Chandan Mandal ◽  
Rajender Sangwan ◽  
Chitra Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Mutational Status ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

β-catenin plays a pivotal role in organogenesis and oncogenesis. Alterations in β-catenin expression are common in pancreatic cancer, which is an extremely aggressive malignancy with a notably poor prognosis. In this report, we analyzed the apoptotic activity of withanolide-D (witha-D), a steroidal lactone that was purified from an Indian medicinal plant,Withania somnifera, and its underlying mechanism of action. Witha-D induced apoptosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells by prompting cell-cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. This lactone abrogated β-catenin signaling in these cells regardless of disease grade, mutational status, and gemcitabine sensitivity. Witha-D also upregulated E-cadherin in most cells, thereby supporting the inversion of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, the Akt/Gsk3β kinase cascade was identified as a critical mediator of G2/M regulation and β-catenin signaling. Witha-D deactivated Akt, which failed to promote Gsk3β deactivation phosphorylation. Consequently, activated Gsk3β facilitated β-catenin destruction in pancreatic carcinoma cells. The knockdown of Chk1 and Chk2 further activated Akt and reversed the molecular signal. Taken together, the results of the current study represent the first evidence of β-catenin signal crosstalk during the G2/M phase by functionally inactivating Akt via witha-D treatment in pancreatic cancer cells. In conclusion, this finding suggests the potential identification of a new lead molecule in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document