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Tumor Microenvironment 2019

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2019) | Viewed by 100532

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Prof. Dr. Naofumi Mukaida

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Guest Editor

Kanazawa University, Division of Molecular Bioregulation, Kanazawa, Japan
Interests: chemokine; tumor microenvironment; metastasis; invasion; Immunology; Laboratory medicine; Experimental Pathology; Pathological Medical Biochemistry
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Dear Colleagues,

The accumulation of gene mutations can transform normal cells into cancer cells, which are required, but not sufficient, to induce cancer tissues. Cancer development and its malignant progression unexceptionally proceeds under the influence of tumor microenvironments, which are governed by the communication between cancer cells and normal resident cells present in tumor tissues, such as leukocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Moreover, normal cells present in tumor tissues frequently support the survival of cancer stem cells by providing them with niche, thereby inducing resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thus, in order to identify druggable targets for exploiting efficient anti-cancer strategies, it is mandatory to clarify the interplay of cancer cells with intratumoral normal cells at molecular levels. Here, in this Special Issue “Tumor Microenvironments”, we will discuss various types of mediators including cytokines, chemokines, and lipid mediators, which are deeply involved in the interaction between cancer cells and normal cells in cancer tissues.

Prof. Dr. Naofumi Mukaida
Guest Editor

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Keywords

angiogenesis
chemokine
cytokine
endothelial cell
fibroblast
invasion
lipid mediator
leukocyte
metastasis
niche

Related Special Issues

Tumor Microenvironment in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (15 articles)
Tumor Microenvironment 3.0 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (5 articles)

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 21134 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GARP as an Immune Regulatory Molecule in the Tumor Microenvironment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

by Niklas Zimmer, Ella Kim, Jonathan Schupp, Bettina Sprang, Petra Leukel, Fatemeh Khafaji, Florian Ringel, Clemens Sommer, Jochen Tuettenberg and Andrea Tuettenberg

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(15), 3676; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20153676 - 26 Jul 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4474

Abstract

Glycoprotein A repetition predominant (GARP), a specific surface molecule of activated regulatory T cells, has been demonstrated to significantly contribute to tolerance in humans by induction of peripheral Treg and regulatory M2-macrophages and by inhibition of (tumorantigen-specific) T effector cells. Previous work identified GARP on Treg, and also GARP on the surface of several malignant tumors, as well as in a soluble form being shedded from their surface, contributing to tumor immune escape. Preliminary results also showed GARP expression on brain metastases of malignant melanoma. On the basis of these findings, we investigated whether GARP is also expressed on primary brain tumors. We showed GARP expression on glioblastoma (GB) cell lines and primary GB tissue, as well as on low-grade glioma, suggesting an important influence on the tumor micromilieu and the regulation of immune responses also in primary cerebral tumors. This was supported by the finding that GB cells led to a reduced, in part GARP-dependent effector T cell function (reduced proliferation and reduced cytokine secretion) in coculture experiments. Interestingly, GARP was localized not only on the cell surface but also in the cytoplasmatic, as well as nuclear compartments in tumor cells. Our findings reveal that GARP, as an immunoregulatory molecule, is located on, as well as in, tumor cells of GB and low-grade glioma, inhibiting effector T cell function, and thus contributing to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of primary brain tumors. As GARP is expressed on activated Treg, as well as on brain tumors, it may be an interesting target for new immunotherapeutic approaches using antibody-based strategies as this indication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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16 pages, 5792 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bone Metastasis Phenotype and Growth Undergo Regulation by Micro-Environment Stimuli: Efficacy of Early Therapy with HGF or TGFβ1-Type I Receptor Blockade

by Paola Bendinelli, Paola Maroni, Valentina Dall’Olio, Emanuela Matteucci and Maria Alfonsina Desiderio

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(10), 2520; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20102520 - 22 May 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2590

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) are biological stimuli of the micro-environment which affect bone metastasis phenotype through transcription factors, but their influence on the growth is scarcely known. In a xenograft model prepared with 1833 bone metastatic cells, derived from breast carcinoma cells, we evaluated mice survival and Twist and Snail expression and localization after competitive inhibition of HGF with NK4, or after blockade of TGFβ1-type I receptor (RI) with SB431542: in the latter condition HGF was also measured. To explain the in vivo data, in 1833 cells treated with SB431542 plus TGFβ1 we measured HGF formation and the transduction pathway involved. Altogether, HGF seemed relevant for bone-metastatic growth, being hampered by NK4 treatment, which decreased Twist more than Snail in the metastasis bulk. TGFβ1-RI blockade enhanced HGF in metastasis and adjacent bone marrow, while reducing prevalently Snail expression at the front and bulk of bone metastasis. The HGF accumulation in 1833 cells depended on an auxiliary signaling pathway, triggered by TGFβ1 under SB431542, which interfered in the transcription of HGF activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI-1) downstream of TGFβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK1): HGF stimulated Twist transactivation. In conclusion, the impairment of initial outgrowth with NK4 seemed therapeutically promising more than SB431542 chemotherapy; a functional correlation between Twist and Snail in bone metastasis seemed to be influenced by the biological stimuli of the micro-environment, and the targeting of these phenotype biomarkers might inhibit metastasis plasticity and colonization, even if it would be necessary to consider the changes of HGF levels in bone metastases undergoing TGFβ1-RI blockade. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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14 pages, 2781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

D-2-Hydroxyglutarate and L-2-Hydroxyglutarate Inhibit IL-12 Secretion by Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

by Ines Ugele, Zugey Elizabeth Cárdenas-Conejo, Kathrin Hammon, Monika Wehrstein, Christina Bruss, Katrin Peter, Katrin Singer, Eva Gottfried, Jakob Boesch, Peter Oefner, Katja Dettmer, Kathrin Renner and Marina Kreutz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(3), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20030742 - 10 Feb 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4599

Abstract

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) or a reduced expression of L-2-hydroxyglutarate (HG)-dehydrogenase result in accumulation of D-2-HG or L-2-HG, respectively, in tumor tissues. D-2-HG and L-2-HG have been shown to affect T-cell differentiation and activation; however, effects on human myeloid cells have not been investigated so far. In this study we analyzed the impact of D-2-HG and L-2-HG on activation and maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). 2-HG was taken up by DCs and had no impact on cell viability but diminished CD83 expression after Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation. Furthermore, D-2-HG and L-2-HG significantly reduced IL-12 secretion but had no impact on other cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10 or TNF. Gene expression analyses of the IL-12 subunits p35/IL-12A and p40/IL-12B in DCs revealed decreased expression of both subunits. Signaling pathways involved in LPS-induced cytokine expression (NFkB, Akt, p38) were not altered by D-2-HG. However, 2-HG reprogrammed LPS-induced metabolic changes in DCs and increased oxygen consumption. Addition of the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin to DC cultures increased IL-12 secretion and was able to partially revert the effect of 2-HG. Our data show that both enantiomers of 2-HG can limit activation of DCs in the tumor environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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32 pages, 5779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Chemoresistance: 3D Extracellular Matrices as Accomplices

by Dimakatso Alice Senthebane, Tina Jonker, Arielle Rowe, Nicholas Ekow Thomford, Daniella Munro, Collet Dandara, Ambroise Wonkam, Dhirendra Govender, Bridget Calder, Nelson C. Soares, Jonathan M. Blackburn, M. Iqbal Parker and Kevin Dzobo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(10), 2861; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19102861 - 20 Sep 2018

Cited by 92 | Viewed by 6852

Abstract

Background: The functional interplay between tumor cells and their adjacent stroma has been suggested to play crucial roles in the initiation and progression of tumors and the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of extracellular proteins, provides both physical and chemicals cues necessary for cell proliferation, survival, and migration. Understanding how ECM composition and biomechanical properties affect cancer progression and response to chemotherapeutic drugs is vital to the development of targeted treatments. Methods: 3D cell-derived-ECMs and esophageal cancer cell lines were used as a model to investigate the effect of ECM proteins on esophageal cancer cell lines response to chemotherapeutics. Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR evaluation of ECM proteins and integrin gene expression was done on clinical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma biopsies. Esophageal cancer cell lines (WHCO1, WHCO5, WHCO6, KYSE180, KYSE 450 and KYSE 520) were cultured on decellularised ECMs (fibroblasts-derived ECM; cancer cell-derived ECM; combinatorial-ECM) and treated with 0.1% Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 4.2 µM cisplatin, 3.5 µM 5-fluorouracil and 2.5 µM epirubicin for 24 h. Cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, colony formation, apoptosis, migration and activation of signaling pathways were used as our study endpoints. Results: The expression of collagens, fibronectin and laminins was significantly increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) tumor samples compared to the corresponding normal tissue. Decellularised ECMs abrogated the effect of drugs on cancer cell cycling, proliferation and reduced drug induced apoptosis by 20–60% that of those plated on plastic. The mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK-ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways were upregulated in the presence of the ECMs. Furthermore, our data show that concomitant addition of chemotherapeutic drugs and the use of collagen- and fibronectin-deficient ECMs through siRNA inhibition synergistically increased cancer cell sensitivity to drugs by 30–50%, and reduced colony formation and cancer cell migration. Conclusion: Our study shows that ECM proteins play a key role in the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy and suggest that targeting ECM proteins can be an effective therapeutic strategy against chemoresistant tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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Review

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19 pages, 1598 KiB

Open AccessReview

Tumor Microenvironment as A “Game Changer” in Cancer Radiotherapy

by Magdalena Jarosz-Biej, Ryszard Smolarczyk, Tomasz Cichoń and Natalia Kułach

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(13), 3212; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20133212 - 29 Jun 2019

Cited by 288 | Viewed by 14844

Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT), besides cancer cells, also affects the tumor microenvironment (TME): tumor blood vessels and cells of the immune system. It damages endothelial cells and causes radiation-induced inflammation. Damaged vessels inhibit the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes into tumors, and immunosuppressive pathways are activated. They lead to the accumulation of radioresistant suppressor cells, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) with the M2 phenotype, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). The area of tumor hypoxia increases. Hypoxia reduces oxygen-dependent DNA damage and weakens the anti-cancer RT effect. It activates the formation of new blood vessels and leads to cancer relapse after irradiation. Irradiation may also activate the immune response through immunogenic cell death induction. This leads to the “in situ” vaccination effect. In this article, we review how changes in the TME affect radiation-induced anticancer efficacy. There is a very delicate balance between the activation of the immune system and the immunosuppression induced by RT. The effects of RT doses on immune system reactions and also on tumor vascularization remain unclear. A better understanding of these interactions will contribute to the optimization of RT treatment, which may prevent the recurrence of cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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23 pages, 1594 KiB

Open AccessReview

Formation of the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment of Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma and Therapeutic Approaches to Counter It

by Donatella Aldinucci, Cinzia Borghese and Naike Casagrande

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(10), 2416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20102416 - 15 May 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 7006

Abstract

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is characterized by a few tumor cells surrounded by a protective, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment composed of normal cells that are an active part of the disease. Hodgkin and Reed–Sternberg (HRS) cells evade the immune system through a variety of different mechanisms. They evade antitumor effector T cells and natural killer cells and promote T cell exhaustion. Using cytokines and extracellular vesicles, they recruit normal cells, induce their proliferation and “educate” (i.e. reprogram) them to become immunosuppressive and protumorigenic. Therefore, alternative treatment strategies are being developed to target not only tumor cells but also the tumor microenvironment. Here we summarize current knowledge on the ability of HRS cells to build their microenvironment and to educate normal cells to become immunosuppressive. We also describe therapeutic strategies to counteract formation of the tumor microenvironment and related processes leading to T cell exhaustion and repolarization of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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12 pages, 1854 KiB

Open AccessReview

LncRNA HOTAIR in Tumor Microenvironment: What Role?

by Gerardo Botti, Giosuè Scognamiglio, Gabriella Aquino, Giuseppina Liguori and Monica Cantile

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(9), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092279 - 8 May 2019

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 3708

Abstract

lncRNAs participate in many cellular processes, including regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In addition, many lncRNAs can contribute to the development of different human diseases including cancer. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role during tumor growth and metastatic progression, and most of these lncRNAs have a key function in TME intracellular signaling. Among the numerous identified lncRNAs, several experimental evidences have shown the fundamental role of the lncRNA HOTAIR in carcinogenesis, also highlighting its use as a circulating biomarker. In this review we described the contribution of HOTAIR in the TME modulation, highlighting its relation with cellular and non-cellular components during tumor evolution and progression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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17 pages, 957 KiB

Open AccessReview

LKB1 and Tumor Metabolism: The Interplay of Immune and Angiogenic Microenvironment in Lung Cancer

by Laura Bonanno, Elisabetta Zulato, Alberto Pavan, Ilaria Attili, Giulia Pasello, PierFranco Conte and Stefano Indraccolo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(8), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20081874 - 16 Apr 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 9501

Abstract

Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a tumor suppressor gene whose inactivation is frequent in different tumor types, especially in lung adenocarcinoma (about 30% of cases). LKB1 has an essential role in the control of cellular redox homeostasis by regulating ROS production and detoxification. Loss of LKB1 makes the tumor cell more sensitive to oxidative stress and consequently to stress-inducing treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. LKB1 loss triggers complex changes in tumor microenvironment, supporting a role in the regulation of angiogenesis and suggesting a potential role in the response to anti-angiogenic treatment. On the other hand, LKB1 deficiency can promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment and may be involved in primary resistance to anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1, as it has been reported in lung cancer. The aim of this review is to discuss interactions of LKB1 with the tumor microenvironment and the potential applications of this knowledge in predicting response to treatment in lung cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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31 pages, 2150 KiB

Open AccessReview

Targeting Tumor Microenvironment for Cancer Therapy

by Catarina Roma-Rodrigues, Rita Mendes, Pedro V. Baptista and Alexandra R. Fernandes

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(4), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20040840 - 15 Feb 2019

Cited by 772 | Viewed by 32926

Abstract

Cancer development is highly associated to the physiological state of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite the existing heterogeneity of tumors from the same or from different anatomical locations, common features can be found in the TME maturation of epithelial-derived tumors. Genetic alterations in tumor cells result in hyperplasia, uncontrolled growth, resistance to apoptosis, and metabolic shift towards anaerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect). These events create hypoxia, oxidative stress and acidosis within the TME triggering an adjustment of the extracellular matrix (ECM), a response from neighbor stromal cells (e.g., fibroblasts) and immune cells (lymphocytes and macrophages), inducing angiogenesis and, ultimately, resulting in metastasis. Exosomes secreted by TME cells are central players in all these events. The TME profile is preponderant on prognosis and impacts efficacy of anti-cancer therapies. Hence, a big effort has been made to develop new therapeutic strategies towards a more efficient targeting of TME. These efforts focus on: (i) therapeutic strategies targeting TME components, extending from conventional therapeutics, to combined therapies and nanomedicines; and (ii) the development of models that accurately resemble the TME for bench investigations, including tumor-tissue explants, “tumor on a chip” or multicellular tumor-spheroids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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15 pages, 1450 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lung Macrophages: Multifunctional Regulator Cells for Metastatic Cells

by Naofumi Mukaida, Takuto Nosaka, Yasunari Nakamoto and Tomohisa Baba

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20010116 - 29 Dec 2018

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 8019

Abstract

Metastasis is responsible for most of the cancer-associated deaths and proceeds through multiple steps. Several lines of evidence have established an indispensable involvement of macrophages present at the primary tumor sites in various steps of metastasis, from primary tumor growth to its intravasation into circulation. The lungs encompass a large, dense vascular area and, therefore, are vulnerable to metastasis, particularly, hematogenous ones arising from various types of neoplasms. Lung tissues constitutively contain several types of tissue-resident macrophages and circulating monocytes to counteract potentially harmful exogenous materials, which directly reach through the airway. Recent advances have provided an insight into the ontogenetic, phenotypic, and functional heterogeneity of these lung macrophage and monocyte populations, under resting and inflammatory conditions. In this review, we discuss the ontogeny, trafficking dynamics, and functions of these pulmonary macrophages and monocytes and their potential roles in lung metastasis and measures to combat lung metastasis by targeting these populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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34 pages, 1989 KiB

Open AccessReview

Liposomal Formulations to Modulate the Tumour Microenvironment and Antitumour Immune Response

by Roger Gilabert-Oriol, Gemma M. Ryan, Ada W.Y. Leung, Natalie S. Firmino, Kevin L. Bennewith and Marcel B. Bally

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(10), 2922; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19102922 - 26 Sep 2018

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5286

Abstract

Tumours are complex systems of genetically diverse malignant cells that proliferate in the presence of a heterogeneous microenvironment consisting of host derived microvasculature, stromal, and immune cells. The components of the tumour microenvironment (TME) communicate with each other and with cancer cells, to regulate cellular processes that can inhibit, as well as enhance, tumour growth. Therapeutic strategies have been developed to modulate the TME and cancer-associated immune response. However, modulating compounds are often insoluble (aqueous solubility of less than 1 mg/mL) and have suboptimal pharmacokinetics that prevent therapeutically relevant drug concentrations from reaching the appropriate sites within the tumour. Nanomedicines and, in particular, liposomal formulations of relevant drug candidates, define clinically meaningful drug delivery systems that have the potential to ensure that the right drug candidate is delivered to the right area within tumours at the right time. Following encapsulation in liposomes, drug candidates often display extended plasma half-lives, higher plasma concentrations and may accumulate directly in the tumour tissue. Liposomes can normalise the tumour blood vessel structure and enhance the immunogenicity of tumour cell death; relatively unrecognised impacts associated with using liposomal formulations. This review describes liposomal formulations that affect components of the TME. A focus is placed on formulations which are approved for use in the clinic. The concept of tumour immunogenicity, and how liposomes may enhance radiation and chemotherapy-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD), is discussed. Liposomes are currently an indispensable tool in the treatment of cancer, and their contribution to cancer therapy may gain even further importance by incorporating modulators of the TME and the cancer-associated immune response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment 2019)

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