scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicle Mediated Tumor-Stromal Crosstalk Within an Engineered Lung Cancer Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayla F. Goliwas ◽  
Hannah M. Ashraf ◽  
Anthony M. Wood ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Kenneth P. Hough ◽  
...  

Tumor-stromal interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) influence lung cancer progression and response to therapeutic interventions, yet traditional in vitro studies fail to replicate the complexity of these interactions. Herein, we developed three-dimensional (3D) lung tumor models that mimic the human TME and demonstrate tumor-stromal crosstalk mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs released by tumor cells, independent of p53 status, and fibroblasts within the TME mediate immunomodulatory effects; specifically, monocyte/macrophage polarization to a tumor-promoting M2 phenotype within this 3D-TME. Additionally, immune checkpoint inhibition in a 3D model that included T cells showed an inhibition of tumor growth and reduced hypoxia within the TME. Thus, perfused 3D tumor models incorporating diverse cell types provide novel insights into EV-mediated tumor-immune interactions and immune-modulation for existing and emerging cancer therapies.

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 208
Author(s):  
David Brunn ◽  
Kati Turkowski ◽  
Stefan Günther ◽  
Andreas Weigert ◽  
Thomas Muley ◽  
...  

Transcription factors can serve as links between tumor microenvironment signaling and oncogenesis. Interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) is recruited and expressed upon interferon stimulation and is dependent on cofactors that exert in tumor-suppressing or oncogenic functions via the JAK-STAT pathway. IRF9 is frequently overexpressed in human lung cancer and is associated with decreased patient survival; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we used stably transduced lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549 and A427) to overexpress or knockdown IRF9. Overexpression led to increased oncogenic behavior in vitro, including enhanced proliferation and migration, whereas knockdown reduced these effects. These findings were confirmed in vivo using lung tumor xenografts in nude mice, and effects on both tumor growth and tumor mass were observed. Using RNA sequencing, we identified versican (VCAN) as a novel downstream target of IRF9. Indeed, IRF9 and VCAN expression levels were found to be correlated. We showed for the first time that IRF9 binds at a newly identified response element in the promoter region of VCAN to regulate its transcription. Using an siRNA approach, VCAN was found to enable the oncogenic properties (proliferation and migration) of IRF9 transduced cells, perhaps with CDKN1A involvement. The targeted inhibition of IRF9 in lung cancer could therefore be used as a new treatment option without multimodal interference in microenvironment JAK-STAT signaling.


2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Wang ◽  
Mingxuan Du ◽  
Zhenyu Ji ◽  
Cong Ding ◽  
Chengbo Wang ◽  
...  

Recombinant Helicobacter pylori neutrophil-activating protein fused with maltose-binding protein (rMBP-NAP), a potential TLR2 ligand, was reported to possess immunomodulatory effects on in situ tumors in our previous study. In the present work, we attempt to elucidate the effect of rMBP-NAP at the local immune modulation in B16-F10-induced metastatic lung cancer. Our results demonstrated that growth of B16-F10 melanoma metastases in the lung was significantly arrested after rMBP-NAP treatment, along with marked reduction in metastatic lung nodules and significant increase in survival. The treatment induced both local and systemic immune responses, which were associated with higher influx of CD4+/CD8+ T cells and drove toward Th1-like and cytotoxic immune environment. Moreover, rMBP-NAP also showed significant anti-angiogenic activity by reducing vascularization in lung tumor sections. rMBP-NAP could induce antitumor immunity through activating Th1 cells and producing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are responsible for the effective cytotoxic immune response against cancer progression. Our findings indicate that rMBP-NAP might be a novel antitumor therapeutic strategy.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252197
Author(s):  
Stanley Borowicz ◽  
Daniel R. Principe ◽  
Matthew J. Dorman ◽  
Austin J. McHenry ◽  
Gautam Sondarva ◽  
...  

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Though immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized lung cancer therapy in recent years, there are several factors limiting the therapeutic efficacy of ICI-based immunotherapy in lung cancer. Recent evidence suggests that one such mechanism is the phenotypic shift of tumor-infiltrating macrophages away from an anti-tumor M1 phenotype and towards an anti-inflammatory and tumor-permissive M2 phenotype. Though this phenomenon is well documented, the means through which the lung tumor microenvironment (TME) usurps macrophage function are poorly described. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a known driver of both lung cancer pathobiology as well as M2 polarization, and its signaling is antagonized by the tumor suppressor gene HAI-1 (SPINT1). Using a combination of genomic databases, primary NSCLC specimens, and in vitro models, we determined that patients with loss of HAI-1 have a particularly poor prognosis, hallmarked by increased HGF expression and an M2-dominant immune infiltrate. Similarly, conditioned media from HAI-1-deficient tumor cells led to a loss of M1 and increased M2 polarization in vitro, and patient NSCLC tissues with loss of HAI-1 showed a similar loss of M1 macrophages. Combined, these results suggest that loss of HAI-1 is a potential means through which tumors acquire an immunosuppressive, M2-dominated TME, potentially through impaired M1 macrophage polarization. Hence, HAI-1 status may be informative when stratifying patients that may benefit from therapies targeting the HGF pathway, particularly as an adjuvant to ICI-based immunotherapy.


Author(s):  
Jiongwei Pan ◽  
Gang Huang ◽  
Zhangyong Yin ◽  
Xiaoping Cai ◽  
Enhui Gong ◽  
...  

AbstractSignificantly high-expressed circFLNA has been found in various cancer cell lines, but not in lung cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the role of circFLNA in the progression of lung cancer. The target gene of circFLNA was determined by bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay. Viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of the transfected cells were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, wound-healing, and transwell assays, respectively. A mouse subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model was established, and the expressions of circFLNA, miR-486-3p, XRCC1, CYP1A1, and related genes in the cancer cells and tissues were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot, or immunohistochemistry. The current study found that miR-486-3p was low-expressed in lung cancer. MiR-486-3p, which has been found to target XRCC1 and CYP1A1, was regulated by circFLNA. CircFLNA was located in the cytoplasm and had a high expression in lung cancer cells. Cancer cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were promoted by overexpressed circFLNA, XRCC1, and CYP1A1 but inhibited by miR-486-3p mimic and circFLNA knockdown. The weight of the xenotransplanted tumor was increased by circFLNA overexpression yet reduced by miR-486-3p mimic. Furthermore, miR-486-3p mimic reversed the effect of circFLNA overexpression on promoting lung cancer cells and tumors and regulating the expressions of miR-486-3p, XRCC1, CYP1A1, and metastasis/apoptosis/proliferation-related factors. However, overexpressed XRCC1 and CYP1A1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-486-3p mimic on cancer cells and tumors. In conclusion, circFLNA acted as a sponge of miR-486-3p to promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating XRCC1 and CYP1A1.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronggang Luo ◽  
Yi Zhuo ◽  
Quan Du ◽  
Rendong Xiao

Abstract Background To detect and investigate the expression of POU domain class 2 transcription factor 2 (POU2F2) in human lung cancer tissues, its role in lung cancer progression, and the potential mechanisms. Methods Immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were conducted to assess the expression of POU2F2 in human lung cancer tissues. Immunoblot assays were performed to assess the expression levels of POU2F2 in human lung cancer tissues and cell lines. CCK-8, colony formation, and transwell-migration/invasion assays were conducted to detect the effects of POU2F2 and AGO1 on the proliferaion and motility of A549 and H1299 cells in vitro. CHIP and luciferase assays were performed for the mechanism study. A tumor xenotransplantation model was used to detect the effects of POU2F2 on tumor growth in vivo. Results We found POU2F2 was highly expressed in human lung cancer tissues and cell lines, and associated with the lung cancer patients’ prognosis and clinical features. POU2F2 promoted the proliferation, and motility of lung cancer cells via targeting AGO1 in vitro. Additionally, POU2F2 promoted tumor growth of lung cancer cells via AGO1 in vivo. Conclusion We found POU2F2 was highly expressed in lung cancer cells and confirmed the involvement of POU2F2 in lung cancer progression, and thought POU2F2 could act as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodora Katopodi ◽  
Savvas Petanidis ◽  
Kalliopi Domvri ◽  
Paul Zarogoulidis ◽  
Doxakis Anestakis ◽  
...  

AbstractIntratumoral heterogeneity in lung cancer is essential for evasion of immune surveillance by tumor cells and establishment of immunosuppression. Gathering data reveal that circular RNAs (circRNAs), play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of lung cancer. Particularly Kras-driven circRNA signaling triggers infiltration of myeloid-associated tumor macrophages in lung tumor microenvironment thus establishing immune deregulation, and immunosuppression but the exact pathogenic mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of oncogenic Kras signaling in circRNA-related immunosuppression and its involvement in tumoral chemoresistance. The expression pattern of circRNAs HIPK3 and PTK2 was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in lung cancer patient samples and cell lines. Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V/PI staining and FACS detection. M2 macrophage polarization and MDSC subset analysis (Gr1−/CD11b−, Gr1−/CD11b+) were determined by flow cytometry. Tumor growth and metastatic potential were determined in vivo in C57BL/6 mice. Findings reveal intra-epithelial CD163+/CD206+ M2 macrophages to drive Kras immunosuppressive chemoresistance through myeloid differentiation. In particular, monocytic MDSC subsets Gr1−/CD11b−, Gr1−/CD11b+ triggered an M2-dependent immune response, creating an immunosuppressive tumor-promoting network via circHIPK3/PTK2 enrichment. Specifically, upregulation of exosomal cicHIPK3/PTK2 expression prompted Kras-driven intratumoral heterogeneity and guided lymph node metastasis in C57BL/6 mice. Consequent co-inhibition of circPTK2/M2 macrophage signaling suppressed lung tumor growth along with metastatic potential and prolonged survival in vivo. Taken together, these results demonstrate the key role of myeloid-associated macrophages in sustaining lung immunosuppressive neoplasia through circRNA regulation and represent a potential therapeutic target for clinical intervention in metastatic lung cancer.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CGM.S14501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick C. Hackler ◽  
Sarah Reuss ◽  
Raymond L. Konger ◽  
Jeffrey B. Travers ◽  
Ravi P. Sahu

Pro-oxidative stressors including cigarette smoke (CS) generate novel lipids with platelet-activated factor-receptor (PAF-R) agonistic activity mediate systemic immunosuppression, one of the most recognized events in promoting carcinogenesis. Our previous studies have established that these oxidized-PAF-R-agonists augment murine B16F10 melanoma tumor growth in a PAF-R-dependent manner because of its effects on host immunity. As CS generates PAF-R agonists, the current studies sought to determine the impact of PAF-R agonists on lung cancer growth and metastasis. Using the murine Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC1) model, we demonstrate that treatment of C57BL/6 mice with a PAF-R agonist augments tumor growth and lung metastasis in a PAF-R-dependent manner as these findings were not seen in PAF-R-deficient mice. Importantly, this effect was because of host rather than tumor cells PAF-R dependent as LLC1 cells do not express functional PAF-R. These findings indicate that experimental lung cancer progression can be modulated by the PAF system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyu Zhao ◽  
Yu Teng ◽  
Wende Hao ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Zhefeng Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ovarian cancer was one of the leading causes of female deaths. Patients with OC were essentially incurable and portends a poor prognosis, presumably because of profound genetic heterogeneity limiting reproducible prognostic classifications. Methods We comprehensively analyzed an ovarian cancer single-cell RNA sequencing dataset, GSE118828, and identified nine major cell types. Relationship between the clusters was explored with CellPhoneDB. A malignant epithelial cluster was confirmed using pseudotime analysis, CNV and GSVA. Furthermore, we constructed the prediction model (i.e., RiskScore) consisted of 10 prognosis-specific genes from 2397 malignant epithelial genes using the LASSO Cox regression algorithm based on public datasets. Then, the prognostic value of Riskscore was assessed with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and time-dependent ROC curves. At last, a series of in-vitro assays were conducted to explore the roles of IL4I1, an important gene in Riskscore, in OC progression. Results We found that macrophages possessed the most interaction pairs with other clusters, and M2-like TAMs were the dominant type of macrophages. C0 was identified as the malignant epithelial cluster. Patients with a lower RiskScore had a greater OS (log-rank P < 0.01). In training set, the AUC of RiskScore was 0.666, 0.743 and 0.809 in 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival, respectively. This was also validated in another two cohorts. Moreover, downregulation of IL4I1 inhibited OC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Conclusions Our work provide novel insights into our understanding of the heterogeneity among OCs, and would help elucidate the biology of OC and provide clinical guidance in prognosis for OC patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Parma ◽  
Vignesh Ramesh ◽  
Paradesi Naidu Gollavilli ◽  
Aarif Siddiqui ◽  
Luisa Pinna ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe identification of novel targets is of paramount importance to develop more effective drugs and improve the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Since cells alter their metabolic rewiring during tumorigenesis and along cancer progression, targeting key metabolic players and metabolism-associated proteins represents a valuable approach with a high therapeutic potential. Metabolic fitness relies on the functionality of heat shock proteins (HSPs), molecular chaperones that facilitate the correct folding of metabolism enzymes and their assembly in macromolecular structures. Here, we show HSPD1 (HSP60) as a survival gene ubiquitously expressed in NSCLC and associated with poor patients’ prognosis. HSPD1 knockdown or its chemical disruption by the small molecule KHS101 induces a drastic breakdown of oxidative phosphorylation, and suppresses cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. By combining drug profiling with transcriptomics and through a whole-genome CRISPR/Cas9 screen, we demonstrate that HSPD1-targeted anti-cancer effects are dependent on OXPHOS and validated molecular determinants of KHS101 sensitivity, in particular, the creatine-transporter SLC6A8 and the subunit of the cytochrome c oxidase complex COX5B. These results highlight mitochondrial metabolism as an attractive target and HSPD1 as a potential theranostic marker for developing therapies to combat NCSLC.SignificanceHSPD1 elimination or disruption interferes with NSCLC metabolic activity causing a strong OXPHOS-dependent energetic breakdown, which the cancer cells fail to overcome, highlighting HSPD1 as a potential theranostic marker for improving lung cancer therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kritika Sharma ◽  
Tim U. Krohne ◽  
Volker Busskamp

Retinal degenerative diseases lead to irreversible blindness. Decades of research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of retinal diseases, using either animal models or human cell-derived 2D systems, facilitated the development of several therapeutic interventions. Recently, human stem cell-derived 3D retinal organoids have been developed. These self-organizing 3D organ systems have shown to recapitulate the in vivo human retinogenesis resulting in morphological and functionally similar retinal cell types in vitro. In less than a decade, retinal organoids have assisted in modeling several retinal diseases that were rather difficult to mimic in rodent models. Retinal organoids are also considered as a photoreceptor source for cell transplantation therapies to counteract blindness. Here, we highlight the development and field’s improvements of retinal organoids and discuss their application aspects as human disease models, pharmaceutical testbeds, and cell sources for transplantations.


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