bims-stacyt Biomed News
on Metabolism and the paracrine crosstalk between cancer and the organism
Issue of 2023–09–03
nine papers selected by
Cristina Muñoz Pinedo, L’Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge



  1. bioRxiv. 2023 Aug 16. pii: 2023.08.15.553432. [Epub ahead of print]
       Background: CXCR1/2 inhibitors are being implemented with immunotherapies in PDAC clinical trials. Cytokines responsible for stimulating these receptors include CXCL ligands, typically secreted by activated immune cells, fibroblasts, and even adipocytes. Obesity has been linked to poor patient outcome and altered anti-tumor immunity. Adipose-derived cytokines and chemokines have been implicated as potential drivers of tumor cell immune evasion, suggesting a possibility of susceptibility to targeting specifically in the context of obesity.
    Methods: RNA-sequencing of human PDAC cell lines was used to assess differential influences on the cancer cell transcriptome after treatment with conditioned media from peri-pancreatic adipose tissue of lean and obese PDAC patients. The adipose-induced secretome of PDAC cells was then assessed by cytokine arrays and ELISAs. Lentiviral transduction and CRISPR-Cas9 was used to knock out CXCL5 from a murine PDAC cell line for orthotopic tumor studies in diet-induced obese, syngeneic mice. Flow cytometry was used to define the immune profiles of tumors. Anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy was administered to alleviate T cell exhaustion and invoke an immune response, while the mice were monitored at endpoint for differences in tumor size.
    Results: The chemokine CXCL5 was secreted in response to stimulation of PDAC cells with human adipose conditioned media (hAT-CM). PDAC CXCL5 secretion was induced by either IL-1β or TNF, but neutralization of both was required to limit secretion. Ablation of CXCL5 from tumors promoted an immune phenotype susceptible to PD-1 inhibitor therapy. While application of anti-PD-1 treatment to control tumors failed to alter tumor growth, knockout CXCL5 tumors were diminished.
    Conclusions: In summary, our findings show that known adipokines TNF and IL-1β can stimulate CXCL5 release from PDAC cells in vitro. In vivo , CXCL5 depletion alone is sufficient to promote T cell infiltration into tumors in an obese setting, but requires checkpoint blockade inhibition to alleviate tumor burden.
    DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: Raw and processed RNAseq data will be further described in the GEO accession database ( awaiting approval from GEO for PRJ number ). Additional raw data is included in the supplemental material and available upon reasonable request.
    WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC: Obesity is linked to a worsened patient outcome and immunogenic tumor profile in PDAC. CXCR1/2 inhibitors have begun to be implemented in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapies to promote T cell infiltration under the premise of targeting the myeloid rich TME.
    WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Using in vitro/ex vivo cell and tissue culture-based assays with in vivo mouse models we have identified that adipose derived IL-1β and TNF can promote tumor secretion of CXCL5 which acts as a critical deterrent to CD8 T cell tumor infiltration, but loss of CXCL5 also leads to a more immune suppressive myeloid profile.
    HOW THIS STUDY MIGHT AFFECT RESEARCH PRACTICE OR POLICY: This study highlights a mechanism and emphasizes the efficacy of single CXCR1/2 ligand targeting that could be beneficial to overcoming tumor immune-evasion even in the obese PDAC patient population.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.08.15.553432
  2. JCI Insight. 2023 Aug 31. pii: e170148. [Epub ahead of print]
      Thrombosis is a common complication of advanced cancer. Yet the cellular mechanisms linking malignancy to thrombosis are poorly understood. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an ER stress response associated with advanced cancers. A proteomic evaluation of plasmas from gastric and non-small cell lung cancer patients who were monitored prospectively for venous thromboembolism demonstrated increased levels of UPR-related markers in plasmas of patients who developed clots compared to those who did not. Release of procoagulant activity into supernatants of gastric, lung, and pancreatic cancer cells was enhanced by UPR induction and blocked by antagonists of the UPR receptors IRE1α or PERK. Release of extracellular vesicles bearing tissue factor (EVTF) from pancreatic cancer cells was inhibited by siRNA-mediated knockdown of IRE1α/XBP1 or PERK pathways. Induction of UPR did not increase TF synthesis, but rather stimulated localization of TF to the cell surface. UPR-induced TF delivery to EVTFs was inhibited by Arf1 knockdown or GBF1 antagonism, confirming the role of vesicular trafficking. Our findings show that UPR activation results in increased vesicular trafficking leading to release of prothrombotic EVTFs, thus providing a mechanistic link between ER stress and cancer-associated thrombosis.
    Keywords:  Cancer; Hematology; Thrombosis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.170148
  3. Nat Metab. 2023 Aug 31.
      In the tumor microenvironment, adipocytes function as an alternate fuel source for cancer cells. However, whether adipocytes influence macromolecular biosynthesis in cancer cells is unknown. Here we systematically characterized the bidirectional interaction between primary human adipocytes and ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells using multi-platform metabolomics, imaging mass spectrometry, isotope tracing and gene expression analysis. We report that, in OvCa cells co-cultured with adipocytes and in metastatic tumors, a part of the glucose from glycolysis is utilized for the biosynthesis of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P). Normoxic HIF1α protein regulates the altered flow of glucose-derived carbons in cancer cells, resulting in increased glycerophospholipids and triacylglycerol synthesis. The knockdown of HIF1α or G3P acyltransferase 3 (a regulatory enzyme of glycerophospholipid synthesis) reduced metastasis in xenograft models of OvCa. In summary, we show that, in an adipose-rich tumor microenvironment, cancer cells generate G3P as a precursor for critical membrane and signaling components, thereby promoting metastasis. Targeting biosynthetic processes specific to adipose-rich tumor microenvironments might be an effective strategy against metastasis.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-023-00879-8
  4. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Aug 24. pii: S1043-2760(23)00152-2. [Epub ahead of print]
      Lysosomes are cellular organelles that function to catabolize both extra- and intracellular cargo, act as a platform for nutrient sensing, and represent a core signaling node integrating bioenergetic cues to changes in cellular metabolism. Although lysosomal amino acid and lipid sensing in metabolism has been well characterized, lysosomal glucose sensing and the role of lysosomes in glucose metabolism is unrefined. This review will highlight the role of the lysosome in glucose metabolism with a focus on lysosomal glucose and glycogen sensing, glycophagy, and lysosomal glucose transport and how these processes impact autophagy and energy metabolism. Additionally, the role of lysosomal glucose metabolism in genetic and metabolic diseases will be briefly discussed.
    Keywords:  autophagy; carbohydrate sensing; glycogen; nutrient sensing
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2023.07.008
  5. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Aug 24. pii: S1043-2760(23)00154-6. [Epub ahead of print]
      Interleukin (IL)-6 elicits both anticancer and procancer effects depending on the context, which we have termed the 'exercise IL-6 enigma'. IL-6 is released from skeletal muscles during exercise to regulate short-term energy availability. Exercise-induced IL-6 provokes biological effects that may protect against cancer by improving insulin sensitivity, stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, mobilising immune cells, and reducing DNA damage in early malignant cells. By contrast, IL-6 continuously produced by leukocytes in inflammatory sites drives tumorigenesis by promoting chronic inflammation and activating tumour-promoting signalling pathways. How can a molecule have such opposing effects on cancer? Here, we review the roles of IL-6 in chronic inflammation, tumorigenesis, and exercise-associated cancer prevention and define the factors that underpin the exercise IL-6 enigma.
    Keywords:  cancer; exercise; inflammation; interleukin-6; muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2023.08.001
  6. J Clin Invest. 2023 Aug 31. pii: e169671. [Epub ahead of print]
      Lung cancer progression relies on angiogenesis, which is a response to hypoxia typically coordinated by hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs); but growing evidence indicate that transcriptional programs beyond HIFs control tumor angiogenesis. Here we show that the redox-sensitive transcription factor BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1) controls the transcription of a broad range of angiogenesis genes. BACH1 is stabilized by lowering reactive oxygen species levels; consequently, angiogenesis gene expression in lung cancer cells, tumor organoids, and xenograft tumors increased substantially following vitamin C and E and N-acetylcysteine administration in a BACH1-dependent fashion under normoxia. Moreover, angiogenesis gene expression increased in endogenous BACH1-overexpressing cells and decreased in BACH1-knockouts in the absence of antioxidants. BACH1 levels also increased upon hypoxia and following administration of prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors in both HIF1a-knockout and wild-type cells. BACH1 was found to be a transcriptional target of HIF1α but BACH1's ability to stimulate angiogenesis gene expression was HIF1a independent. Antioxidants increased tumor vascularity in vivo in a BACH1-dependent fashion, and overexpressing BACH1 rendered tumors sensitive to anti-angiogenesis therapy. BACH1 expression in tumor sections from lung cancer patients correlates with angiogenesis gene and protein expression. We conclude that BACH1 is an oxygen- and redox-sensitive angiogenesis transcription factor.
    Keywords:  Angiogenesis; Hypoxia; Lung cancer
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI169671
  7. Cell Rep. 2023 Aug 30. pii: S2211-1247(23)01045-8. [Epub ahead of print]42(9): 113034
      Metabolic rewiring is essential for cancer onset and progression. We previously showed that one-carbon metabolism-dependent formate production often exceeds the anabolic demand of cancer cells, resulting in formate overflow. Furthermore, we showed that increased extracellular formate concentrations promote the in vitro invasiveness of glioblastoma cells. Here, we substantiate these initial observations with ex vivo and in vivo experiments. We also show that exposure to exogeneous formate can prime cancer cells toward a pro-invasive phenotype leading to increased metastasis formation in vivo. Our results suggest that the increased local formate concentration within the tumor microenvironment can be one factor to promote metastases. Additionally, we describe a mechanistic interplay between formate-dependent increased invasiveness and adaptations of lipid metabolism and matrix metalloproteinase activity. Our findings consolidate the role of formate as pro-invasive metabolite and warrant further research to better understand the interplay between formate and lipid metabolism.
    Keywords:  CP: Cancer; CP: Metabolism; cancer metastasis; formate overflow; invasion; one-carbon metabolism
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113034
  8. Circ Res. 2023 Aug 29.
       BACKGROUND: Activation of immune-inflammatory pathways involving TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) signaling is critical for revascularization and peripheral muscle tissue repair after ischemic injury. However, mechanisms of TNFα-driven inflammatory cascades directing recruitment of proangiogenic immune cells to sites of ischemia are unknown.
    METHODS: Muscle tissue revascularization after permanent femoral artery ligation was monitored in mutant mice by laser Doppler imaging and light sheet fluorescence microscopy. TNFα-mediated signaling and the role of the CCL20 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 20)-CCR6 (C-C chemokine receptor 6) axis for formation of new vessels was studied in vitro and in vivo using bone marrow transplantation, flow cytometry, as well as biochemical and molecular biological techniques.
    RESULTS: TNFα-mediated activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor TNFR (tumor necrosis factor receptor) 1 but not TNFR2 was found to be required for postischemic muscle tissue revascularization. Bone marrow-derived CCR6+ neutrophil granulocytes were identified as a previously undescribed TNFα-induced population of proangiogenic neutrophils, characterized by increased expression of VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A). Mechanistically, postischemic activation of TNFR1 induced expression of the CCL20 in vascular cells and promoted translocation of the CCL20 receptor CCR6 to the cell surface of neutrophils, essentially conditioning VEGFA-expressing proangiogenic neutrophils for CCL20-dependent recruitment to sites of ischemia. Moreover, impaired revascularization of ischemic peripheral muscle tissue in diabetic mice was associated with reduced numbers of proangiogenic neutrophils and diminished CCL20 expression. Administration of recombinant CCL20 enhanced recruitment of proangiogenic neutrophils and improved revascularization of diabetic ischemic skeletal muscles, which was sustained by sequential treatment with fluvastatin.
    CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that site-specific activation of the CCL20-CCR6 axis via TNFα recruits proangiogenic VEGFA-expressing neutrophils to sites of ischemic injury for initiation of muscle tissue revascularization. The findings provide an attractive option for tissue revascularization, particularly under diabetic conditions.
    Keywords:  fluvastatin; inflammation; ischemia; neutrophils; tumor necrosis factor-alpha
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.123.323071
  9. Shock. 2023 Aug 28.
       BACKGROUND: Tissue trauma and hemorrhage result in pronounced activation of the innate immune system. Given known crosstalk between inflammation and coagulation, soluble inflammatory mediators could be associated with venous thromboembolisms (VTE) after major trauma.
    OBJECTIVES: Identify plasma inflammatory mediators that are independent predictors of VTE risk in trauma patients.
    METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of the Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Platelets and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR) study. Plasma levels of 27 cytokines/chemokines were measured by BioPlex at admission and 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours later. Patients who died from exsanguination or within 24 hours were excluded. Mann-Whitney tests were performed to assess No-VTE and VTE groups at each time point. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted effects of inflammatory mediators on VTE risk.
    RESULTS: 86 (15%) of the 575 patients included developed VTE. Interleukins IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, Eotaxin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon-gamma inducible protein (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), and chemokine ligand 5 (RANTES) were all significantly increased among VTE patients. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and MCP-1 were independently associated with VTE. Cox proportional hazards modeling identified IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 as independent predictors of accelerated VTE development. We identified significant correlations between inflammation and markers of coagulation and endothelial activation.
    CONCLUSIONS: Sustained, systemic inflammation is a key driver of VTE risk after major trauma. Therapeutics targeting innate immune activation should be considered for development of future multimodal strategies to augment current VTE prophylaxis.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/SHK.0000000000002216