scholarly journals The Role of miRNAs as Key Regulators in the Neoplastic Microenvironment

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. Wentz-Hunter ◽  
J. A. Potashkin
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Small Noncoding Rna ◽  
Clinical Patient

The neoplastic microenvironment has been recognized to play a critical role in the development of cancer. Although a large body of evidence has established the importance of the cancer microenvironment, the manners of crosstalk between it and the cancer cells still remains unclear. Emerging mechanisms of communication include microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that are involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of mRNA. Both intracellular and circulating miRNAs are differentially expressed in cancer and some of these alterations have been correlated with clinical patient outcomes. The role of miRNAs in the tumor microenvironment has only recently become a focus of research, however. In this paper, we discuss the influence of miRNAs on the tumor microenvironment as it relates to cancer progression. We conclude that miRNAs are a critical component in understanding invasion and metastasis of cancer cells.

scholarly journals The Emerging Role of GC-MSCs in the Gastric Cancer Microenvironment: From Tumor to Tumor Immunity

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoji Pan ◽  
Yiqing Tian ◽  
Guoping Niu ◽  
Chengsong Cao
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Wound Repair ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Gastric Cancer Progression

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been declared to not only participate in wound repair but also affect tumor progression. Tumor-associated MSCs, directly existing in the tumor microenvironment, play a critical role in tumor initiation, progression, and development. And different tumor-derived MSCs have their own unique characteristics. In this review, we mainly describe and discuss recent advances in our understanding of the emerging role of gastric cancer-derived MSC-like cells (GC-MSCs) in regulating gastric cancer progression and development, as well as the bidirectional influence between GC-MSCs and immune cells of the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we also discuss the potential biomarker and therapeutic role of GC-MSCs. It is anticipated that new and deep insights into the functionality of GC-MSCs and the underlying mechanisms will promote the novel and promising therapeutic strategies against gastric cancer.

scholarly journals Vimentin filaments drive migratory persistence in polyploidal cancer cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (43) ◽  
pp. 26756-26765
Author(s):  
Botai Xuan ◽  
Deepraj Ghosh ◽  
Joy Jiang ◽  
Rachelle Shao ◽  
Michelle R. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Single Cell Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Critical Function ◽  
Rna Knockdown ◽  
Interfering Rna ◽  
The Impact

Polyploidal giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are multinucleated chemoresistant cancer cells found in heterogeneous solid tumors. Due in part to their apparent dormancy, the effect of PGCCs on cancer progression has remained largely unstudied. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of PGCCs as aggressive and chemoresistant cancer cells, as well as their ability to undergo amitotic budding to escape dormancy. Our recent study demonstrated the unique biophysical properties of PGCCs, as well as their unusual migratory persistence. Here we unveil the critical function of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) in maintaining the structural integrity of PGCCs and enhancing their migratory persistence. We performed in-depth single-cell analysis to examine the distribution of VIFs and their role in migratory persistence. We found that PGCCs rely heavily on their uniquely distributed and polarized VIF network to enhance their transition from a jammed to an unjammed state to allow for directional migration. Both the inhibition of VIFs with acrylamide and small interfering RNA knockdown of vimentin significantly decreased PGCC migration and resulted in a loss of PGCC volume. Because PGCCs rely on their VIF network to direct migration and to maintain their enlarged morphology, targeting vimentin or vimentin cross-linking proteins could provide a therapeutic approach to mitigate the impact of these chemoresistant cells in cancer progression and to improve patient outcomes with chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Nerves in the Tumor Microenvironment: Origin and Effects

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Wang ◽  
Lingyu Li ◽  
Naifei Chen ◽  
Chao Niu ◽  
Zhi Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Perineural Invasion ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Cancer Growth ◽  
Alternative Route ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous ◽  
Molecular Bases

Studies have reported the vital role of nerves in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Nerves infiltrate the tumor microenvironment thereby enhancing cancer growth and metastasis. Perineural invasion, a process by which cancer cells invade the surrounding nerves, provides an alternative route for metastasis and generation of tumor-related pain. Moreover, central and sympathetic nervous system dysfunctions and psychological stress-induced hormone network disorders may influence the malignant progression of cancer through multiple mechanisms. This reciprocal interaction between nerves and cancer cells provides novel insights into the cellular and molecular bases of tumorigenesis. In addition, they point to the potential utility of anti-neurogenic therapies. This review describes the evolving cross-talk between nerves and cancer cells, thus uncovers potential therapeutic targets for cancer.

scholarly journals Cancer Cell-Derived Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Is Dispensable for the Progression of 4T1 Murine Breast Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6342
Author(s):  
Teizo Yoshimura ◽  
Kaoru Nakamura ◽  
Chunning Li ◽  
Masayoshi Fujisawa ◽  
Tsuyoshi Shiina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Lung Metastasis ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Gm Csf ◽  
4T1 Cells

We previously reported that 4T1 murine breast cancer cells produce GM-CSF that up-regulates macrophage expression of several cancer promoting genes, including Mcp-1/Ccl2, Ccl17 and Rankl, suggesting a critical role of cancer cell-derived GM-CSF in cancer progression. Here, we attempted to define whether 4T1 cell-derived GM-CSF contributes to the expression of these genes by 4T1tumors, and their subsequent progression. Intraperitoneal injection of anti-GM-CSF neutralizing antibody did not decrease the expression of Mcp-1, Ccl17 or Rankl mRNA by 4T1 tumors. To further examine the role of cancer cell-derived GM-CSF, we generated GM-CSF-deficient 4T1 cells by using the Crisper-Cas9 system. As previously demonstrated, 4T1 cells are a mixture of cells and cloning of cells by itself significantly reduced tumor growth and lung metastasis. By contrast, GM-CSF-deficiency did not affect tumor growth, lung metastasis or the expression of these chemokine and cytokine genes in tumor tissues. By in-situ hybridization, the expression of Mcp-1 mRNA was detected in both F4/80-expressing and non-expressing cells in tumors of GM-CSF-deficient cells. These results indicate that cancer cell-derived GM-CSF is dispensable for the tuning of the 4T1 tumor microenvironment and the production of MCP-1, CCL17 or RANKL in the 4T1 tumor microenvironment is likely regulated by redundant mechanisms.

scholarly journals Exosome-mediated metabolic reprogramming: the emerging role in tumor microenvironment remodeling and its influence on cancer progression

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enli Yang ◽  
Xuan Wang ◽  
Zhiyuan Gong ◽  
Miao Yu ◽  
Haiwei Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Energy Demands

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming is reported to be one of the hallmarks of cancer, which is an adaptive mechanism by which fast-growing cancer cells adapt to their increasing energy demands. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) known as exosomes have been recognized as crucial signaling mediators in regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME). Meanwhile, the TME is a highly heterogeneous ecosystem incorporating cancer cells, fibroblasts, adipocytes, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and extracellular matrix. Accumulated evidence indicates that exosomes may transfer biologically functional molecules to the recipient cells, which facilitate cancer progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and immunosuppression by reprogramming the metabolism of cancer cells and their surrounding stromal cells. In this review, we present the role of exosomes in the TME and the underlying mechanism of how exosomes exacerbate tumor development through metabolic reprogramming. In addition, we will also discuss the potential role of exosomes targeting metabolic process as biomarkers for tumor diagnosis and prognosis, and exosomes-mediated metabolic reprogramming as potential targets for cancer therapy. Furthermore, a better understanding of the link between exosomes and metabolic reprogramming, and their impact on cancer progression, would provide novel insights for cancer prevention and treatment in the future.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles and Cancer: A Focus on Metabolism, Cytokines, and Immunity

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Lucchetti ◽  
Claudio Ricciardi Tenore ◽  
Filomena Colella ◽  
Alessandro Sgambato
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Metabolic Phenotype ◽  
Metabolic Switch

A better understanding of the mechanisms of cell communication between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment is crucial to develop personalized therapies. It has been known for a while that cancer cells are metabolically distinct from other non-transformed cells. This metabolic phenotype is not peculiar to cancer cells but reflects the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. Recently, it has been shown that extracellular vesicles are involved in the metabolic switch occurring in cancer and tumor-stroma cells. Moreover, in an immune system, the metabolic programs of different cell subsets are distinctly associated with their immunological function, and extracellular vesicles could be a key factor in the shift of cell fate modulating cancer immunity. Indeed, during tumor progression, tumor-associated immune cells and fibroblasts acquire a tumor-supportive and anti-inflammatory phenotype due to their interaction with tumor cells and several findings suggest a role of extracellular vesicles in this phenomenon. This review aims to collect all the available evidence so far obtained on the role of extracellular vesicles in the modulation of cell metabolism and immunity. Moreover, we discuss the possibility for extracellular vesicles of being involved in drug resistance mechanisms, cancer progression and metastasis by inducing immune-metabolic effects on surrounding cells.

Extracellular vesicles in cancer progression: are they part of the problem or part of the solution?

Nanomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (26) ◽  
pp. 2625-2641
Author(s):  
Juliete Nathali Scholl ◽  
Camila Kehl Dias ◽  
Laurent Muller ◽  
Ana Maria Oliveira Battastini ◽  
Fabrício Figueiró
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cytokine Release

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released especially by cancer cells. They modulate the tumor microenvironment by interacting with immune cells while carrying immunosuppressive or immunostimulatory molecules. In this review, we will explore some conflicting reports regarding the immunological outcomes of EVs in cancer progression, in which they might initiate an antitumor immune response or an immunosuppressive response. Concerning immunosuppression, the role of tumor-derived EVs’ in the adenosinergic system is underexplored. The enhancement of adenosine (ADO) levels in the tumor microenvironment impairs T-cell function and cytokine release. However, some tumor-derived EVs may deliver immunostimulatory factors, promoting immunogenic activity, even with ADO production. The modulatory role of ADO over the tumor progression represents a piece in an intricate microenvironment with anti and pro tumoral seesaw-like mechanisms.

scholarly journals Tumor Suppressor miRNA in Cancer Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment: Mechanism of Deregulation and Clinical Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Otmani ◽  
Philippe Lewalle
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Mature Mirnas ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Mirna Regulation ◽  
Mirnas Expression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that have been identified as important posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. miRNAs production is controlled at multiple levels, including transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. Extensive profiling studies have shown that the regulation of mature miRNAs expression plays a causal role in cancer development and progression. miRNAs have been identified to act as tumor suppressors (TS) or as oncogenes based on their modulating effect on the expression of their target genes. Upregulation of oncogenic miRNAs blocks TS genes and leads to tumor formation. In contrast, downregulation of miRNAs with TS function increases the translation of oncogenes. Several miRNAs exhibiting TS properties have been studied. In this review we focus on recent studies on the role of TS miRNAs in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, we discuss how TS miRNA impacts the aggressiveness of cancer cells, with focus of the mechanism that regulate its expression. The study of the mechanisms of miRNA regulation in cancer cells and the TME may paved the way to understand its critical role in the development and progression of cancer and is likely to have important clinical implications in a near future. Finally, the potential roles of miRNAs as specific biomarkers for the diagnosis and the prognosis of cancer and the replacement of tumor suppressive miRNAs using miRNA mimics could be promising approaches for cancer therapy.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles: A New Perspective in Tumor Therapy

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Zi Sun ◽  
Jun-Shan Ruan ◽  
Zong-Sheng Jiang ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Shao-Ming Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Immune Therapy ◽  
Tumor Therapy ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

In recent years, the study of extracellular vesicles has been booming across various industries. Extracellular vesicles are considered one of the most important physiological endogenous carriers for the specific delivery of molecular information (nucleonic acid, cytokines, enzymes, etc.) between cells. It has been discovered that they perform a critical role in promoting tumor cell growth, proliferation, tumor cell invasion, and metastatic ability and regulating the tumor microenvironment to promote tumor cell communication and metastasis. In this review, we will discuss (1) the mechanism of extracellular vesicles generation, (2) their role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression (cell growth and proliferation, tumor microenvironment, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis), (3) the role of extracellular vesicles in immune therapy, (4) extracellular vesicles targeting in tumor therapy, and (5) the role of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers. It is our hope that better knowledge and understanding of the extracellular vesicles will offer a wider range of effective therapeutic targets for experimental tumor research.

scholarly journals Cancer Associated Fibroblasts: Naughty Neighbors That Drive Ovarian Cancer Progression

Cancers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subramanyam Dasari ◽  
Yiming Fang ◽  
Anirban K. Mitra
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Normal Cells ◽  
Patient Prognosis

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, and patient prognosis has not improved significantly over the last several decades. In order to improve therapeutic approaches and patient outcomes, there is a critical need for focused research towards better understanding of the disease. Recent findings have revealed that the tumor microenvironment plays an essential role in promoting cancer progression and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment consists of cancer cells and several different types of normal cells recruited and reprogrammed by the cancer cells to produce factors beneficial to tumor growth and spread. These normal cells present within the tumor, along with the various extracellular matrix proteins and secreted factors, constitute the tumor stroma and can compose 10–60% of the tumor volume. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major constituent of the tumor microenvironment, and play a critical role in promoting many aspects of tumor function. This review will describe the various hypotheses about the origin of CAFs, their major functions in the tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer, and will discuss the potential of targeting CAFs as a possible therapeutic approach.

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