Article
Oncology
Antonio Maurizi, Michela Ciocca, Cristiano Giuliani, Ilaria Di Carlo, Anna Teti
Summary: This study identified the role of N-Cadherin in breast cancer cell dormancy and stemness. Breast cancer cells that interact with spindle-shaped N-Cadherin(+) Osteoblasts (SNOs) become dormant, and N-Cadherin mediates the adhesion of breast cancer cells to SNOs. The study also revealed differences in the role of N-Cadherin between human and mouse breast cancer cell lines.
Article
Immunology
Haitao Hu, Ting Ma, Nanqi Liu, Hong Hong, Lujiao Yu, Dantong Lyu, Xin Meng, Biao Wang, Xuefeng Jiang
Summary: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a vessel-like structure independent of endothelial cells, commonly found in solid tumors. It is closely associated with tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and poor patient prognosis. Various factors, including immune cells, cytokines, and signaling molecules, have been reported to be involved in ovarian cancer progression and VM formation. This review discusses the mechanisms regulating VM formation in ovarian cancer, the impact of cells, cytokines, and signaling molecules in the tumor microenvironment on VM formation, and the current clinical application of drugs targeting VM formation.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana K. Herrera-Vargas, Eduardo Garcia-Rodriguez, Monserrat Olea-Flores, Miguel A. Mendoza-Catalan, Eugenia Flores-Alfaro, Napoleon Navarro-Tito
Summary: The ability of leptin to induce angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in different types of cancer has been studied, with significant relationships observed in breast cancer. Leptin activates multiple pathways to promote the expression of angiogenic factors and vasculogenic mimicry, suggesting its potential role as a therapeutic target for tumor survival and metastasis.
CYTOKINE & GROWTH FACTOR REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Feng Ju, Manar M. Atyah, Nellie Horstmann, Sheraz Gul, Razi Vago, Christiane J. Bruns, Yue Zhao, Qiong-Zhu Dong, Ning Ren
Summary: This review summarizes the latest findings on the morphology, signaling pathways, and interactions of cancer stem cell (CSC) niches, as well as the genetic and epigenetic modulations involved in CSC maintenance. The crosstalk between CSCs and their niche plays a crucial role in therapy resistance and recurrence.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chunyu Zhang, Jiatong Xiao, Tong Yuan, Yunbo He, Dingshan Deng, Zicheng Xiao, Jinbo Chen, Xiongbing Zu, Peihua Liu, Zhi Liu
Summary: Bladder cancer (BLCA) is heterogeneous with classical molecular subtypes reflecting tumor immune microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity. However, their clinical utility in predicting treatment and prognosis is limited. In this study, a systemic indicator of molecular vasculogenic mimicry (VM)-related genes, called VM_Score, was developed using a random forest algorithm. The VM_Score showed high accuracy in predicting classical molecular subtypes, immunophenotypes, prognosis, and therapeutic potential of BLCA. It was found to be associated with sensitivity to different therapies, indicating its potential in precision medicine and as an indicator of immunotherapy response and prognosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Nazila Fathi Maroufi, Mohsen Rashidi, Vahid Vahedian, Raheleh Jahanbazi, Sahar Mostafaei, Maryam Akbarzadeh, Hamid Kazemzadeh, Hamid-Reza Nejabati, Alireza Isazadeh, Mohammad-Reza Rashidi, Mohammad Nouri
Summary: Melatonin and Apatinib can reduce the survival rate of CSCs and inhibit proliferation, invasion, and formation of VM in breast cancer cells. The combination of Apatinib/melatonin shows promising potential in managing patients with breast cancer. Further studies are needed to understand the anti-cancer mechanisms of melatonin and Apatinib for better patient management.
Article
Oncology
Jae-Il Choi, Sung Ill Jang, Jaehyun Hong, Chul Hoon Kim, Soon Sung Kwon, Joon Seong Park, Jong-Baeck Lim
Summary: In this study, it was demonstrated that CD44(+), CD24(+) and EpCAM(+) cancer-initiating cells (CICs) were enriched in patient-derived organoids of PDAC. CD44-expressing CICs formed lumen structures within the organoids. Additionally, CD44(-) cancer cells from the organoids could re-form organoids and be re-programed as CD44-expressing CICs. The study also showed that the maintenance of CICs in PDAC organoids was mediated by interactions with endothelial cells through Wnt and Notch signaling pathways.
Article
Oncology
Maria Sol Recouvreux, Jiangyong Miao, Maricel C. Gozo, Jingni Wu, Ann E. Walts, Beth Y. Karlan, Sandra Orsulic
Summary: Tumors require a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients for growth, and vasculogenic mimicry is a coping mechanism where cancer cells form vascular-like structures. FOXC2 gene expression is associated with vasculogenic mimicry and aggressive cancer behavior.
Review
Cell Biology
Molly E. Heft Neal, J. Chad Brenner, Mark E. P. Prince, Steven B. Chinn
Summary: Cancer stem cells play a crucial role in head and neck cancer, affecting tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance, metastasis, and recurrence. Recent evidence shows that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in maintaining the cancer stem cell niche and promoting their plasticity.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lina Sakhneny, Alona Epshtein, Limor Landsman
Summary: Pericytes produce multiple components of the pancreatic and islet BM matrices, including laminins that regulate beta-cell function. The findings suggest that pericytes play a significant role in supporting beta-cells and insulin secretion in the islets.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renjun Tu, Bo Duan, Xiaoqing Song, Shiyuan Chen, Allison Scott, Kate Hall, Jillian Blanck, Dustin DeGraffenreid, Hua Li, Anoja Perera, Jeff Haug, Ting Xie
Summary: In the Drosophila ovary, inner germarial sheath (IGS) cells form multiple niche compartments that interact with different stages of germline stem cell (GSC) progeny, regulating stem cell self-renewal and stepwise differentiation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Peri, Alessio Biagioni, Giampaolo Versienti, Elena Andreucci, Fabio Staderini, Giuseppe Barbato, Lisa Giovannelli, Francesco Coratti, Nicola Schiavone, Fabio Cianchi, Laura Papucci, Lucia Magnelli
Summary: Chemotherapy is widely used in gastric cancer treatment as an adjuvant when surgery is not feasible or in the presence of metastasis. Chemoresistance is a major challenge in cancer therapy, leading to tumor recurrence and treatment failure. Despite known mechanisms of chemoresistance, a universal marker for chemoresistant cancer cells has not yet been identified.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Carmela Martini, Mark DeNichilo, Danielle P. King, Michaelia P. Cockshell, Brenton Ebert, Brian Dale, Lisa M. Ebert, Anthony Woods, Claudine S. Bonder
Summary: This study demonstrates that CD36, a cell surface glycoprotein promoting angiogenesis by ECs, also supports VM formation by human melanoma cells. Patients with high CD36 expression have a poorer outcome. CD36 facilitates VM formation by melanoma cells through integrin-alpha(3) and laminin, unlike angiogenesis, VM is not affected by TSP-1.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Weichang Yang, Zhouhua Li, Wenjun Wang, Juan Wu, Jinbo Li, Xiaotian Huang, Xinyi Zhang, Xiaoqun Ye
Summary: This study found that VM-related genes are associated with the prognosis and immune landscape of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. A VM score was developed and a predictive model was constructed to evaluate the prognosis and immune landscape of LUAD patients.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Sarah M. Pearsall, Stuart C. Williamson, Sam Humphrey, Ellyn Hughes, Derrick Morgan, Fernando J. Garcia Marques, Griselda Awanis, Rebecca Carroll, Laura Burks, Yan Ting Shue, Abel Bermudez, Kristopher K. Frese, Melanie Galvin, Mathew Carter, Lynsey Priest, Alastair Kerr, Cong Zhou, Trudy G. Oliver, Jonathan D. Humphries, Martin J. Humphries, Fiona Blackhall, Ian G. Cannell, Sharon J. Pitteri, Gregory J. Hannon, Julien Sage, Caroline Dive, Kathryn L. Simpson
Summary: This study investigates the phenotype and molecular mechanisms of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) using circulating tumor cell-derived explant (CDX) models and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). The results show that VM vessels are present in CDX models, GEMMs, and SCLC patient biopsies, and perfused VM vessels support tumor growth. Only NOTCH-active non-NE cells are VM-competent and exhibit characteristics related to blood vessel development and extracellular matrix organization. On Matrigel, VM-primed non-NE cells remodel the extracellular matrix into hollow tubules through an integrin b1-dependent process.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Keqiang Chen, Teizo Yoshimura, Xiaohong Yao, Wanghua Gong, Jiaqiang Huang, Amiran K. Dzutsev, John McCulloch, Colm O'hUigin, Xiu-wu Bian, Giorgio Trinchieri, Ji Ming Wang
Summary: CRAMP plays a protective role in the mouse colon against inflammation, inflammation-associated carcinogenesis, and disrupted microbiome balance. Epithelial cell-derived CRAMP is crucial for normal development and repair of colon crypts, while myeloid cell-derived CRAMP enhances colon epithelial resistance to bacterial invasion during acute inflammation.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xianwen Ren, Wen Wen, Xiaoying Fan, Wenhong Hou, Bin Su, Pengfei Cai, Jiesheng Li, Yang Liu, Fei Tang, Fan Zhang, Yu Yang, Jiangping He, Wenji Ma, Jingjing He, Pingping Wang, Qiqi Cao, Fangjin Chen, Yuqing Chen, Xuelian Cheng, Guohong Deng, Xilong Deng, Wenyu Ding, Yingmei Feng, Rui Gan, Chuang Guo, Weiqiang Guo, Shuai He, Chen Jiang, Juanran Liang, Yi-min Li, Jun Lin, Yun Ling, Haofei Liu, Jianwei Liu, Nianping Liu, Shu-Qiang Liu, Meng Luo, Qiang Ma, Qibing Song, Wujianan Sun, GaoXiang Wang, Feng Wang, Ying Wang, Xiaofeng Wen, Qian Wu, Gang Xu, Xiaowei Xie, Xinxin Xiong, Xudong Xing, Hao Xu, Chonghai Yin, Dongdong Yu, Kezhuo Yu, Jin Yuan, Biao Zhang, Peipei Zhang, Tong Zhang, Jincun Zhao, Peidong Zhao, Jianfeng Zhou, Wei Zhou, Sujuan Zhong, Xiaosong Zhong, Shuye Zhang, Lin Zhu, Ping Zhu, Bin Zou, Jiahua Zou, Zengtao Zuo, Fan Bai, Xi Huang, Penghui Zhou, Qinghua Jiang, Zhiwei Huang, Jin-Xin Bei, Lai Wei, Xiu-Wu Bian, Xindong Liu, Tao Cheng, Xiangpan Li, Pingsen Zhao, Fu-Sheng Wang, Hongyang Wang, Bing Su, Zheng Zhang, Kun Qu, Xiaoqun Wang, Jiekai Chen, Ronghua Jin, Zemin Zhang
Summary: The study revealed the presence of immune response dysfunction in COVID-19 patients, with different peripheral immune subtype changes associated with clinical features such as age, sex, severity, and disease stages. Additionally, dramatic transcriptomic changes were observed within virus-infected cells, and upregulation of S100A8/A9 in peripheral blood may contribute to the cytokine storms frequently observed in severe patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiahui Xu, Xiaoli Yang, Qiaodan Deng, Cong Yang, Dong Wang, Guojuan Jiang, Xiaohong Yao, Xueyan He, Jiajun Ding, Jiankun Qiang, Juchuanli Tu, Rui Zhang, Qun-Ying Lei, Zhi-min Shao, Xiuwu Bian, Ronggui Hu, Lixing Zhang, Suling Liu
Summary: Enhanced neovasculogenesis, especially vasculogenic mimicry (VM), contributes to the development of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We identified TEM8 as a functional marker for VM-forming BTICs in TNBC, providing a target for the development of effective therapies against TNBC targeting both BTIC self-renewal and neovasculogenesis simultaneously. TEM8 promotes stemness and VM differentiation capacity through a RhoC/ROCK1/SMAD5 axis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yun Tan, Wei Zhang, Zhaoqin Zhu, Niu Qiao, Yun Ling, Mingquan Guo, Tong Yin, Hai Fang, Xiaoguang Xu, Gang Lu, Peipei Zhang, Shuangshuang Yang, Ziyu Fu, Dongguo Liang, Yinyin Xie, Ruihong Zhang, Lu Jiang, Shuting Yu, Jing Lu, Fangying Jiang, Jian Chen, Chenlu Xiao, Shengyue Wang, Shuo Chen, Xiu-Wu Bian, Hongzhou Lu, Feng Liu, Saijuan Chen
Summary: The study analyzed clinical laboratory tests, proteomes, and transcriptomes of 963 patients to understand the host responses in COVID-19 progression. Hypercortisolemia was identified as a probable cause of acute lymphocytopenia, while lung cells were found to be potential sources of elevated cytokines mediating systemic immune responses and organ damages. The study provides insights into developing further diagnostics and therapy for COVID-19.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuhua Cao, Shuaishuai Ding, Lijuan Zeng, Jingya Miao, Kai Wang, Gang Chen, Chunyan Li, Jingrong Zhou, Xiu-Wu Bian, Gan Tian
Summary: The study demonstrated the use of CpG-decorated gold nanoparticles to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade therapy. By re-educating immunosuppressive M2 tumor-associated macrophages to immunostimulatory M1 counterparts, the treatment effectively modulated the tumor-immune microenvironment for synergistic RT/ICB, leading to consistent abscopal responses in a bilateral tumor model.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xianwen Ren, Wen Wen, Xiaoying Fan, Wenhong Hou, Bin Su, Pengfei Cai, Jiesheng Li, Yang Liu, Fei Tang, Fan Zhang, Yu Yang, Jiangping He, Wenji Ma, Jingjing He, Pingping Wang, Qiqi Cao, Fangjin Chen, Yuqing Chen, Xuelian Cheng, Guohong Deng, Xilong Deng, Wenyu Ding, Yingmei Feng, Rui Gan, Chuang Guo, Weiqiang Guo, Shuai He, Chen Jiang, Juanran Liang, Yi-min Li, Jun Lin, Yun Ling, Haofei Liu, Jianwei Liu, Nianping Liu, Shu-Qiang Liu, Meng Luo, Qiang Ma, Qibing Song, Wujianan Sun, GaoXiang Wang, Feng Wang, Ying Wang, Xiaofeng Wen, Qian Wu, Gang Xu, Xiaowei Xie, Xinxin Xiong, Xudong Xing, Hao Xu, Chonghai Yin, Dongdong Yu, Kezhuo Yu, Jin Yuan, Biao Zhang, Peipei Zhang, Tong Zhang, Jincun Zhao, Peidong Zhao, Jianfeng Zhou, Wei Zhou, Sujuan Zhong, Xiaosong Zhong, Shuye Zhang, Lin Zhu, Ping Zhu, Bin Zou, Jiahua Zou, Zengtao Zuo, Fan Bai, Xi Huang, Penghui Zhou, Qinghua Jiang, Zhiwei Huang, Jin-Xin Bei, Lai Wei, Xiu-Wu Bian, Xindong Liu, Tao Cheng, Xiangpan Li, Pingsen Zhao, Fu-Sheng Wang, Hongyang Wang, Bing Su, Zheng Zhang, Kun Qu, Xiaoqun Wang, Jiekai Chen, Ronghua Jin, Zemin Zhang
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Min Luo, Yu-Qi Liu, Hua Zhang, Chun-Hua Luo, Qing Liu, Wen-Ying Wang, Zhi-Cheng He, Cong Chen, Xiao-Ning Zhang, Min Mao, Kai-Di Yang, Chao Wang, Xiao-Qing Chen, Wen-Juan Fu, Qin Niu, Xiu-Wu Bian, Yu Shi, Yi-Fang Ping
Summary: The study demonstrates that CPT1A plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial dynamics and GSC differentiation in glioblastoma. Overexpression of CPT1A inhibits GSC self-renewal and promotes mitochondrial fusion, while disruption of CPT1A leads to mitochondrial fission and reprogramming of non-stem tumor cells towards GSC features. This suggests that CPT1A could be a potential target for differentiation therapy in GBM.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Si Wang, Xiaohong Yao, Shuai Ma, Yifang Ping, Yanling Fan, Shuhui Sun, Zhicheng He, Yu Shi, Liang Sun, Shiqi Xiao, Moshi Song, Jun Cai, Jiaming Li, Rui Tang, Liyun Zhao, Chaofu Wang, Qiaoran Wang, Lei Zhao, Huifang Hu, Xindong Liu, Guoqiang Sun, Lu Chen, Guoqing Pan, Huaiyong Chen, Qingrui Li, Peipei Zhang, Yuanyuan Xu, Huyi Feng, Guo-Guang Zhao, Tianzi Wen, Yungui Yang, Xuequan Huang, Wei Li, Zhenhua Liu, Hongmei Wang, Haibo Wu, Baoyang Hu, Yong Ren, Qi Zhou, Jing Qu, Weiqi Zhang, Guang-Hui Liu, Xiu-Wu Bian
Summary: This study provides insights into the molecular basis of lung pathology in COVID-19 patients through multi-omics and single-nucleus transcriptomic analysis, identifying pathological features associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection such as hyperinflammation, alveolar epithelial cell exhaustion, vascular changes, and fibrosis. It also highlights lung senescence as a molecular state of COVID-19 pathology and suggests FOXO3A suppression as a potential mechanism for COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Guojuan Jiang, Juchuanli Tu, Lei Zhou, Mengxue Dong, Jue Fan, Zhaoxia Chang, Lixing Zhang, Xiuwu Bian, Suling Liu
Summary: The study constructed a single-cell atlas of tumor progression stages in a breast cancer mouse model, revealing the role of ERlow epithelial cell lineage in tumor initiation and the blockade of differentiation in ERhigh epithelial cell lineage. Furthermore, a stem-like cell cluster was identified within ERlow epithelial cells, showing heterogeneity. This study also highlighted the dynamics of immune cell infiltration and the potential cross-talk between BCSCs and immune cells during breast tumor progression.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Correction
Genetics & Heredity
Fang Zheng, Yi-Ji Liao, Mu-Yan Cai, Tian-Hao Liu, Shu-Peng Chen, Pei-Hong Wu, Long Wu, Xiu-Wu Bian, Xin-Yuan Guan, Yi-Xin Zeng, Yun-Fei Yuan, Hsiang-Fu Kung, Dan Xie
Article
Oncology
Kaidi Yang, Yu Shi, Min Luo, Min Mao, Xiaoning Zhang, Cong Chen, Yuqi Liu, Zhicheng He, Qing Liu, Wenying Wang, Chunhua Luo, Wen Yin, Chao Wang, Qin Niu, Hui Zeng, Xiu-Wu Bian, Yi-Fang Ping
Summary: This study used single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing data to reveal the immune evasion mechanisms of GBM cells and their interactions with immune cells. A new subset of GBM cells, TC-6, was identified with immune-invading characteristics and synergy with tumor-associated macrophages to create an immune-suppressive environment. Three immune subtypes were also identified, with C3 GBMs being enriched with TC-6 cells and immunosuppressive macrophages, which were associated with reduced efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment. The findings provide new insights into optimizing anti-GBM immunotherapy.
Article
Cell Biology
Li-Hong Wang, Sen Wei, Ye Yuan, Ming-Jun Zhong, Jiao Wang, Ze-Xuan Yan, Kai Zhou, Tao Luo, Li Liang, Xiu-Wu Bian
Summary: PARP inhibitors have limited efficacy when used alone in glioblastoma (GBM) patients, leading researchers to explore combination therapies. This study found that concurrent treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib and XPO1 inhibitor KPT330 showed synergistic anticancer effects on GBM cells. Mechanistically, KPT330 induced the nuclear retention of SQSTM1 and inhibited the ubiquitination of the DNA repair signal H2AX mediated by olaparib in the nucleus, inhibiting DNA damage response and repair in GBM. In the cytoplasm, KPT330 blocked autophagic flux and induced dysfunction of lysosomes, ultimately promoting cell death.
Article
Oncology
Juan Feng, Yang Lan, Feng Liu, Ye Yuan, Jia Ge, Sen Wei, Hu Luo, Jianjun Li, Tao Luo, Xiuwu Bian
Summary: The genomic instability/homologous recombination deficiency (GI/HRD) score has prognostic value in lung adenocarcinoma, particularly when combined with TP53 status, but is not applicable for all types of lung cancer.
NPJ PRECISION ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qu-Jing Gai, Zhen Fu, Jiang He, Min Mao, Xiao-Xue Yao, Yan Qin, Xi Lan, Lin Zhang, Jing-Ya Miao, Yan-Xia Wang, Jiang Zhu, Fei-Cheng Yang, Hui-Min Lu, Ze-Xuan Yan, Fang-Lin Chen, Yu Shi, Yi-Fang Ping, You-Hong Cui, Xia Zhang, Xindong Liu, Xiao-Hong Yao, Sheng-Qing Lv, Xiu-Wu Bian, Yan Wang
Summary: PDGFRA may not be necessary for PDGFA function. The study revealed EPHA2 as a potential receptor of PDGFA and identified that co-upregulation of PDGFA and EPHA2 led to worse patient prognosis and poorer therapeutic effects. Combination inhibitors targeting PDGFRA and EHA2 represent a promising therapeutic strategy for GBM treatment.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingliang Chen, Xunhu Dong, Haoyue Deng, Feng Ye, Yuanpeng Zhao, Jin Cheng, Guorong Dan, Jiqing Zhao, Yan Sai, Xiuwu Bian, Zhongmin Zou
Summary: Nitrogen mustard causes severe vesicating skin injury, partially through over-activating autophagy, and partly by activating the TRPV1-Ca2+-CaMKK beta-AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway. These results suggest that blocking TRPV1-dependent autophagy could be a potential treatment strategy for nitrogen mustard-caused cutaneous injury.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2021)
