scholarly journals Tumor Endothelial Heterogeneity in Cancer Progression

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nako Maishi ◽  
Dorcas A. Annan ◽  
Hiroshi Kikuchi ◽  
Yasuhiro Hida ◽  
Kyoko Hida

Tumor blood vessels supply nutrients and oxygen to tumor cells for their growth and provide routes for them to enter circulation. Thus, angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is essential for tumor progression and metastasis. Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) that cover the inner surfaces of tumor blood vessels reportedly show phenotypes distinct from those of their normal counterparts. As examples, TECs show cytogenetic abnormalities, resistance to anticancer drugs, activated proliferation and migration, and specific gene expression patterns. TECs contain stem-like cell populations, which means that the origin of TECs is heterogeneous. In addition, since some abnormal phenotypes in TECs are induced by factors in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia and tumor cell-derived factors, phenotypic diversity in TECs may be caused in part by intratumoral heterogeneity. Recent studies have identified that the interaction of tumor cells and TECs by juxtacrine and paracrine signaling contributes to tumor malignancy. Understanding TEC abnormality and heterogeneity is important for treatment of cancers. This review provides an overview of the diversity of TECs and discusses the interaction between TECs and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oskar Ciesielski ◽  
Marta Biesiekierska ◽  
Baptiste Panthu ◽  
Varvara Vialichka ◽  
Luciano Pirola ◽  
...  

Tumors require a constant supply of nutrients to grow which are provided through tumor blood vessels. To metastasize, tumors need a route to enter circulation, that route is also provided by tumor blood vessels. Thus, angiogenesis is necessary for both tumor progression and metastasis. Angiogenesis is tightly regulated by a balance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Angiogenic factors of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family lead to the activation of endothelial cells, proliferation, and neovascularization. Significant VEGF-A upregulation is commonly observed in cancer cells, also due to hypoxic conditions, and activates endothelial cells (ECs) by paracrine signaling stimulating cell migration and proliferation, resulting in tumor-dependent angiogenesis. Conversely, antiangiogenic factors inhibit angiogenesis by suppressing ECs activation. One of the best-known anti-angiogenic factors is thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). In pathological angiogenesis, the balance shifts towards the proangiogenic factors and an angiogenic switch that promotes tumor angiogenesis. Here, we review the current literature supporting the notion of the existence of two different endothelial lineages: normal endothelial cells (NECs), representing the physiological form of vascular endothelium, and tumor endothelial cells (TECs), which are strongly promoted by the tumor microenvironment and are biologically different from NECs. The angiogenic switch would be also important for the explanation of the differences between NECs and TECs, as angiogenic factors, cytokines and growth factors secreted into the tumor microenvironment may cause genetic instability. In this review, we focus on the epigenetic differences between the two endothelial lineages, which provide a possible window for pharmacological targeting of TECs.


1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Rummelt ◽  
L M Gardner ◽  
R Folberg ◽  
S Beck ◽  
B Knosp ◽  
...  

The morphology of the microcirculation of uveal melanomas is a reliable market of tumor progression. Scanning electron microscopy of cast corrosion preparations can generate three-dimensional views of these vascular patterns, but this technique sacrifices the tumor parenchyma. Formalin-fixed wet tissue sections 100-150 microns thick from uveal melanomas were stained with the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEAI) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) to demonstrate simultaneously the tumor blood vessels and proliferating tumor cells. Indocarbocyanine (Cy3) was used as a fluorophore for UEAI and indodicarbocyanine (Cy5) was used for PCNA. Double labeled sections were examined with a laser scanning confocal microscope. Images of both stains were digitized at the same 5-microns intervals and each of the two images per interval was combined digitally to form one image. These combined images were visualized through voxel processing to study the relationship between melanoma cells expressing PCNA and various microcirculatory patterns. This technique produces images comparable to scanning electron microscopy of cast corrosion preparations while permitting simultaneous localization of melanoma cells expressing PCNA. The microcirculatory tree can be viewed from any perspective and the relationship between tumor cells and the tumor blood vessels can be studied concurrently in three dimensions. This technique is an alternative to cast corrosion preparations.


2007 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres A. Roma ◽  
Cristina Magi-Galluzzi ◽  
Ming Zhou

Abstract Context.—Renal angiomyolipoma is a tumor composed of varying amounts of fat, smooth muscle, and blood vessels. Characteristically, tumor cells express melanocytic markers such as HMB-45 and Melan-A. Recently, several other markers have been described as having excellent diagnostic sensitivity in cutaneous melanocytic lesions. Objectives.—To compare the sensitivities of 5 melanocytic markers in renal angiomyolipoma and to study the expression patterns of these markers in the 3 different components of angiomyolipoma. Design.—A tissue microarray of 20 renal angiomyolipomas was constructed. For each case, 3 cores containing fat, blood vessels, and smooth muscle were taken. The tissue microarray was then stained for HMB-45, Melan-A, tyrosinase, NK1-C3, and CD117. Results.—HMB-45 was positive in 95%, Melan-A in 85%, NK1-C3 in 70%, tyrosinase in 50%, and CD117 in 40% of the cases. All (20/20) were positive for HMB-45 and Melan-A combined. These 5 markers had different sensitivities in the 3 components. HMB-45 was positive in 90%, 85%, and 80% of fat, smooth muscle, and blood vessel components, respectively; Melan-A in 70%, 60%, and 40%; NK1-C3 in 55%, 55%, and 45%; tyrosinase in 30%, 40%, and 10%; and CD117 in 20%, 40%, and 10%, respectively, of these 3 components. Conclusions.—HMB-45 and Melan-A combined were positive in 100% of the renal angiomyolipomas. We recommend the use of these 2 markers in the workup of this entity, including those with predominantly 1 component. Other melanocytic markers are of limited use. A tissue block comprising predominantly fat or smooth muscle components should be used when performing melanocytic marker immunostain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurabh Satija ◽  
Harpreet Kaur ◽  
Murtaza M. Tambuwala ◽  
Prabal Sharma ◽  
Manish Vyas ◽  
...  

Hypoxia is an integral part of tumor microenvironment, caused primarily due to rapidly multiplying tumor cells and a lack of proper blood supply. Among the major hypoxic pathways, HIF-1 transcription factor activation is one of the widely investigated pathways in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME). HIF-1 is known to activate several adaptive reactions in response to oxygen deficiency in tumor cells. HIF-1 has two subunits, HIF-1β (constitutive) and HIF-1α (inducible). The HIF-1α expression is largely regulated via various cytokines (through PI3K-ACT-mTOR signals), which involves the cascading of several growth factors and oncogenic cascades. These events lead to the loss of cellular tumor suppressant activity through changes in the level of oxygen via oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent pathways. The significant and crucial role of HIF in cancer progression and its underlying mechanisms have gained much attention lately among the translational researchers in the fields of cancer and biological sciences, which have enabled them to correlate these mchanisms with various other disease modalities. In the present review, we have summarized the key findings related to the role of HIF in the progression of tumors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahid Hussain ◽  
Bo Peng ◽  
Mathew Cherian ◽  
Jonathan W. Song ◽  
Dinesh K. Ahirwar ◽  
...  

The intricate interplay between malignant cells and host cellular and non-cellular components play crucial role in different stages of tumor development, progression, and metastases. Tumor and stromal cells communicate to each other through receptors such as integrins and secretion of signaling molecules like growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and inflammatory mediators. Chemokines mediated signaling pathways have emerged as major mechanisms underlying multifaceted roles played by host cells during tumor progression. In response to tumor stimuli, host cells-derived chemokines further activates signaling cascades that support the ability of tumor cells to invade surrounding basement membrane and extra-cellular matrix. The host-derived chemokines act on endothelial cells to increase their permeability and facilitate tumor cells intravasation and extravasation. The tumor cells-host neutrophils interaction within the vasculature initiates chemokines driven recruitment of inflammatory cells that protects circulatory tumor cells from immune attack. Chemokines secreted by tumor cells and stromal immune and non-immune cells within the tumor microenvironment enter the circulation and are responsible for formation of a “pre-metastatic niche” like a “soil” in distant organs whereby circulating tumor cells “seed’ and colonize, leading to formation of metastatic foci. Given the importance of host derived chemokines in cancer progression and metastases several drugs like Mogamulizumab, Plerixafor, Repertaxin among others are part of ongoing clinical trial which target chemokines and their receptors against cancer pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding the complexity of chemokines network in tumor microenvironment, with an emphasis on chemokines secreted from host cells. We especially summarize the role of host-derived chemokines in different stages of metastases, including invasion, dissemination, migration into the vasculature, and seeding into the pre-metastatic niche. We finally provide a brief description of prospective drugs that target chemokines in different clinical trials against cancer.


Author(s):  
Stephen M. Ansell ◽  
Robert H. Vonderheide

In addition to malignant cells, the tumor microenvironment also includes nonmalignant cells, secreted proteins, and blood vessels that surround and support the growth of the tumor. Interactions between the various components of the tumor microenvironment are significant; tumor cells can change the nature of the microenvironment, and conversely, the microenvironment can affect how a tumor grows and spreads. The structure and composition of the tumor microenvironment varies among different types of cancers and between patients. This paper focuses on the composition and function of the tumor microenvironment in hematologic malignancies with a specific focus on B-cell lymphomas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1658-1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengjie Zhou ◽  
Yang Yan ◽  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Yiyun Cheng

Losartan decompresses tumor blood vessels and degrades extracellular matrix in tumor to enhance nanoparticle penetration and accumulation in tumors, resulting in improved photothermal killing of tumor cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Nisticò ◽  
Gennaro Ciliberto

Our view of cancer biology radically shifted from a “cancer-cell-centric” vision to a view of cancer as an organ disease. The concept that genetic and/or epigenetic alterations, at the basis of cancerogenesis, are the main if not the exclusive drivers of cancer development and the principal targets of therapy, has now evolved to include the tumor microenvironment in which tumor cells can grow, proliferate, survive, and metastasize only within a favorable environment. The interplay between cancer cells and the non-cellular and cellular components of the tumor microenvironment plays a fundamental role in tumor development and evolution both at the primary site and at the level of metastasis. The shape of the tumor cells and tumor mass is the resultant of several contrasting forces either pro-tumoral or anti-tumoral which have at the level of the tumor microenvironment their battle field. This crucial role of tumor microenvironment composition in cancer progression also dictates whether immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor antibodies is going to be efficacious. Hence, tumor microenvironment deconvolution has become of great relevance in order to identify biomarkers predictive of efficacy of immunotherapy. In this short paper we will briefly review the relationship between inflammation and cancer, and will summarize in 10 short points the key concepts learned so far and the open challenges to be solved.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Tae Hwang ◽  
Min Hee Yang ◽  
Alan Prem Kumar ◽  
Gautam Sethi ◽  
Kwang Seok Ahn

Corilagin (CLG), a major component of several medicinal plants, can exhibit diverse pharmacological properties including those of anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective qualities. However, there are no prior studies on its potential impact on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. EMT can lead to dissemination of tumor cells into other organs and promote cancer progression. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effect of CLG on EMT and its mechanism(s) of action in tumor cells. We noted that CLG reduced the expression of various epithelial markers and up-regulated the expression of Occludin and E-cadherin in both basal and TGFβ-stimulated tumor cells. CLG treatment also abrogated cellular invasion and migration in colon and prostate carcinoma cells. In addition, CLG effectively attenuated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade in TGFβ-stimulated cells. Overall, our study suggests that CLG may function as and effective modulator of EMT and metastasis in neoplastic cells.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Josefsson ◽  
Karin Larsson ◽  
Eva Freyhult ◽  
Jan-Erik Damber ◽  
Karin Welén

Development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is associated with alterations in gene expression involved in steroidogenesis and androgen signaling. This study investigates whether gene expression changes related to CRPC development can be identified in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Gene expression in paired CTC samples from 29 patients, before androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and at CRPC relapse, was compared using a panel including 47 genes related to prostate cancer progression on a qPCR platform. Fourteen genes displayed significantly changed gene expression in CTCs at CRPC relapse compared to before start of ADT. The genes with increased expression at CRPC relapse were related to steroidogenesis, AR-signaling, and anti-apoptosis. In contrast, expression of prostate markers was downregulated at CRPC. We also show that midkine (MDK) expression in CTCs from metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) was associated to short cancer-specific survival (CSS). In conclusion, this study shows that gene expression patterns in CTCs reflect the development of CRPC, and that MDK expression levels in CTCs are prognostic for cancer-specific survival in mHSPC. This study emphasizes the role of CTCs in exploring mechanisms of therapy resistance, as well as a promising biomarker for prognostic and treatment-predictive purposes in advanced mHSPC.


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