bims-stacyt Biomed News
on Metabolism and the paracrine crosstalk between cancer and the organism
Issue of 2024‒08‒11
six papers selected by
Cristina Muñoz Pinedo, L’Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge
  1. The impact of the expression level of growth differentiation factor 15 in tumor tissue on the response to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
  2. A common secretomic signature across epithelial cancers metastatic to the pleura supports IL-6 axis therapeutic targeting.
  3. Therapy-Induced Cellular Senescence: Potentiating Tumor Elimination or Driving Cancer Resistance and Recurrence?
  4. Stanniocalcin 2 governs cancer cell adaptation to nutrient insufficiency through alleviation of oxidative stress.
  5. Extracellular vesicles derived from stressed beta cells mediate monocyte activation and contribute to islet inflammation.
  6. Interactions between myoblasts and macrophages under high glucose milieus result in inflammatory response and impaired insulin sensitivity.
  1. BMC Cancer. 2024 Aug 05. 24(1): 954
    The impact of the expression level of growth differentiation factor 15 in tumor tissue on the response to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
    Orhun Akdogan, Betul Ogut, Osman Sutcuoglu, Aysenur Sert, Fatih Gurler, Nalan Akyurek, Nuriye Ozdemir, Ahmet Ozet, Ozan Yazici.
      BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is overexpressed in various cancers and facilitates immune evasion by inhibiting T-cell activation. GDFATHER-TRIAL's phase 2a results demonstrated promising outcomes when combining the GDF-15 neutralizing antibody visugromab (CTL002) with nivolumab, enhancing the response to immunotherapy. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of GDF-15 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor tissues in terms of immunotherapy response.METHODS: This retrospective study included 50 patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with nivolumab at Gazi University Hospital between January 2021 and July 2023. GDF-15 expression was evaluated using immunochemistry staining and categorized based on the intensity of cytoplasmic or membranous staining. Samples were divided into a low expression group (scores 0 and 1) and a high expression group (scores 2 and 3). The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), which were analyzed using Kaplan‒Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Objective response rates were assessed in secondary outcomes.
    RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 43 were men (86%), with a median age of 63.9 years. Half of the patients exhibited low GDF-15 expression. High GDF-15 expression correlated with shorter PFS and OS. The median PFS was 7.8 months for the low-expression group versus 4.4 months for the high-expression group (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20-0.83; p = 0.013). The median OS was 18.1 months for the low-expression group compared to 11.8 months for the high-expression group (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16-0.78; p = 0.007). The objective response rate was significantly greater in the low GDF-15 group (52%) than in the high GDF-15 group (24%) (p = 0.040).
    CONCLUSION: Elevated GDF-15 expression in NSCLC tumor tissues is associated with poorer response to nivolumab, suggesting that GDF-15 is a potential prognostic biomarker for immunotherapy efficacy. These findings warrant further validation through prospective studies to optimize treatment strategies for NSCLC patients.
    Keywords:  Biomarker; Chemotherapy; GDF-15; Immunotherapy; NSCLC
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-024-12727-3
  2. Front Immunol. 2024 ;15 1404373
    A common secretomic signature across epithelial cancers metastatic to the pleura supports IL-6 axis therapeutic targeting.
    Vera S Donnenberg, James D Luketich, Bosko Popov, David L Bartlett, Albert D Donnenberg.
      Background: Many cancers metastasize to the pleura, resulting in effusions that cause dyspnea and discomfort. Regardless of the tissue of origin, pleural malignancies are aggressive and uniformly fatal, with no treatment shown to prolong life. The pleural mesothelial monolayer is joined by tight junctions forming a contained bioreactor-like space, concentrating cytokines and chemokines secreted by the mesothelium, tumor, and infiltrating immune cells. This space represents a unique environment that profoundly influences tumor and immune cell behavior. Defining the pleural secretome is an important step in the rational development localized intrapleural immunotherapy.Method: We measured cytokine/chemokine content of 252 malignant pleural effusion (MPE) samples across multiple cancers using a 40-analyte panel and Luminex multiplexing technology.
    Results: Eleven analytes were consistently present in concentrations ≥ 10.0 pM: CXCL10/IP10 (geometric mean = 672.3 pM), CCL2/MCP1 (562.9 pM), sIL-6Rα (403.1 pM), IL-6 (137.6 pM), CXCL1/GRO (80.3 pM), TGFβ1 (76.8 pM), CCL22/MDC (54.8 pM), CXCL8/IL-8 (29.2 pM), CCL11/Eotaxin (12.6 pM), IL-10 (11.3 pM), and G-CSF (11.0 pM). All are capable of mediating chemotaxis, promotion of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, or immunosuppression, and many of are reportedly downstream of a pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade mediated by cytokine IL-6 and its soluble receptor.
    Conclusion: The data indicate high concentrations of several cytokines and chemokines across epithelial cancers metastatic to the pleura and support the contention that the pleural environment is the major factor responsible for the clinical course of MPE across cancer types. A sIL-6Rα to IL-6 molar ratio of 2.7 ensures that virtually all epithelial, immune and vascular endothelial cells in the pleural environment are affected by IL-6 signaling. The central role likely played by IL-6 in the pathogenesis of MPE argues in favor of a therapeutic approach targeting the IL-6/IL-6R axis.
    Keywords:  IL-6 trans-signaling; epithelial to mesenchymal transition; malignant pleural effusion; secretomics; tumor environment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1404373
  3. Cells. 2024 Jul 30. pii: 1281. [Epub ahead of print]13(15):
    Therapy-Induced Cellular Senescence: Potentiating Tumor Elimination or Driving Cancer Resistance and Recurrence?
    Yue Liu, Isabelle Lomeli, Stephen J Kron.
      Cellular senescence has been increasingly recognized as a hallmark of cancer, reflecting its association with aging and inflammation, its role as a response to deregulated proliferation and oncogenic stress, and its induction by cancer therapies. While therapy-induced senescence (TIS) has been linked to resistance, recurrence, metastasis, and normal tissue toxicity, TIS also has the potential to enhance therapy response and stimulate anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we examine the Jekyll and Hyde nature of senescent cells (SnCs), focusing on how their persistence while expressing the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) modulates the tumor microenvironment through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Through the SASP, SnCs can mediate both resistance and response to cancer therapies. To fulfill the unmet potential of cancer immunotherapy, we consider how SnCs may influence tumor inflammation and serve as an antigen source to potentiate anti-tumor immune response. This new perspective suggests treatment approaches based on TIS to enhance immune checkpoint blockade. Finally, we describe strategies for mitigating the detrimental effects of senescence, such as modulating the SASP or targeting SnC persistence, which may enhance the overall benefits of cancer treatment.
    Keywords:  SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype); cancer therapy; immune surveillance; immunosuppression; senescence; senolytics; therapy resistance; tumor microenvironment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13151281
  4. Cell Death Dis. 2024 Aug 06. 15(8): 567
    Stanniocalcin 2 governs cancer cell adaptation to nutrient insufficiency through alleviation of oxidative stress.
    Shuo Qie, Haijuan Xiong, Yaqi Liu, Chenhui Yan, Yalei Wang, Lifeng Tian, Chenguang Wang, Nianli Sang.
      Solid tumours often endure nutrient insufficiency during progression. How tumour cells adapt to temporal and spatial nutrient insufficiency remains unclear. We previously identified STC2 as one of the most upregulated genes in cells exposed to nutrient insufficiency by transcriptome screening, indicating the potential of STC2 in cellular adaptation to nutrient insufficiency. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying STC2 induction by nutrient insufficiency and subsequent adaptation remain elusive. Here, we report that STC2 protein is dramatically increased and secreted into the culture media by Gln-/Glc- deprivation. STC2 promoter contains cis-elements that are activated by ATF4 and p65/RelA, two transcription factors activated by a variety of cellular stress. Biologically, STC2 induction and secretion promote cell survival but attenuate cell proliferation during nutrient insufficiency, thus switching the priority of cancer cells from proliferation to survival. Loss of STC2 impairs tumour growth by inducing both apoptosis and necrosis in mouse xenografts. Mechanistically, under nutrient insufficient conditions, cells have increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lack of STC2 further elevates ROS levels that lead to increased apoptosis. RNA-Seq analyses reveal STC2 induction suppresses the expression of monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), a mitochondrial membrane enzyme that produces ROS. Moreover, a negative correlation between STC2 and MAOB levels is also identified in human tumour samples. Importantly, the administration of recombinant STC2 to the culture media effectively suppresses MAOB expression as well as apoptosis, suggesting STC2 functions in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Taken together, our findings indicate that nutrient insufficiency induces STC2 expression, which in turn governs the adaptation of cancer cells to nutrient insufficiency through the maintenance of redox homoeostasis, highlighting the potential of STC2 as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-06961-7
  5. Front Immunol. 2024 ;15 1393248
    Extracellular vesicles derived from stressed beta cells mediate monocyte activation and contribute to islet inflammation.
    Mette C Dekkers, Joost M Lambooij, Xudong Pu, Raphael R Fagundes, Agustin Enciso-Martinez, Kim Kats, Ben N G Giepmans, Bruno Guigas, Arnaud Zaldumbide.
      Objective: Beta cell destruction in type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the combined effect of inflammation and recurrent autoimmunity. In recent years, the role played by beta cells in the development of T1D has evolved from passive victims of the immune system to active contributors in their own destruction. We and others have demonstrated that perturbations in the islet microenvironment promote endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in beta cells, leading to enhanced immunogenicity. Among the underlying mechanisms, secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by beta cells has been suggested to mediate the crosstalk with the immune cell compartment.Methods: To study the role of cellular stress in the early events of T1D development, we generated a novel cellular model for constitutive ER stress by modulating the expression of HSPA5, which encodes BiP/GRP78, in EndoC-βH1 cells. To investigate the role of EVs in the interaction between beta cells and the immune system, we characterized the EV miRNA cargo and evaluated their effect on innate immune cells.
    Results: Analysis of the transcriptome showed that HSPA5 knockdown resulted in the upregulation of signaling pathways involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR) and changes the miRNA content of EVs, including reduced levels of miRNAs involved in IL-1β signaling. Treatment of primary human monocytes with EVs from stressed beta cells resulted in increased surface expression of CD11b, HLA-DR, CD40 and CD86 and upregulation of IL-1β and IL-6.
    Conclusion: These findings indicate that the content of EVs derived from stressed beta cells can be a mediator of islet inflammation.
    Keywords:  er stress; extracellular vesicles; inflammation; monocytes; type 1 diabetes
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1393248
  6. World J Diabetes. 2024 Jul 15. 15(7): 1589-1602
    Interactions between myoblasts and macrophages under high glucose milieus result in inflammatory response and impaired insulin sensitivity.
    Wei Luo, Yue Zhou, Li-Ying Wang, Lei Ai.
      BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle handles about 80% of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and become the major organ occurring insulin resistance (IR). Many studies have confirmed the interactions between macrophages and skeletal muscle regulated the inflammation and regeneration of skeletal muscle. However, despite of the decades of research, whether macrophages infiltration and polarization in skeletal muscle under high glucose (HG) milieus results in the development of IR is yet to be elucidated. C2C12 myoblasts are well-established and excellent model to study myogenic regulation and its responses to stimulation. Further exploration of macrophages' role in myoblasts IR and the dynamics of their infiltration and polarization is warranted.AIM: To evaluate interactions between myoblasts and macrophages under HG, and its effects on inflammation and IR in skeletal muscle.
    METHODS: We detected the polarization status of macrophages infiltrated to skeletal muscles of IR mice by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining. Then, we developed an in vitro co-culture system to study the interactions between myoblasts and macrophages under HG milieus. The effects of myoblasts on macrophages were explored through morphological observation, CCK-8 assay, Flow Cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mediation of macrophages to myogenesis and insulin sensitivity were detected by morphological observation, CCK-8 assay, Immunofluorescence, and 2-NBDG assay.
    RESULTS: The F4/80 and co-localization of F4/80 and CD86 increased, and the myofiber size decreased in IR group (P < 0.01, g = 6.26). Compared to Mc group, F4/80+CD86+CD206- cells, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), inerleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 decreased, and IL-10 increased in McM group (P < 0.01, g > 0.8). In McM + HG group, F4/80+CD86+CD206- cells, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased, and F4/80+CD206+CD86- cells and IL-10 were decreased compared with Mc + HG group and McM group (P < 0.01, g > 0.8). Compered to M group, myotube area, myotube number and E-MHC were increased in MMc group (P < 0.01, g > 0.8). In MMc + HG group, myotube area, myotube number, E-MHC, GLUT4 and glucose uptake were decreased compared with M + HG group and MMc group (P < 0.01, g > 0.8).
    CONCLUSION: Interactions between myoblasts and macrophages under HG milieus results in inflammation and IR, which support that the macrophage may serve as a promising therapeutic target for skeletal muscle atrophy and IR.
    Keywords:  Chronic inflammation; Cross-talk; Glucose toxicity; Insulin sensitivity; Macrophages phenotype; Myoblasts
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v15.i7.1589
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