ObjectiveTo summarizes the mechanisms of carcinogenesis of colorectal cells, the occurrence and development of cancer cells, and their interactions with the tumor niche of colorectal cancer (CRC) from the perspective of the tumor niche, exploring new ideas for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CRC. MethodThe relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years on the researches of mechanism of the occurrence and development of CRC and its relation with the tumor niche of CRC was searched and reviewed. ResultsThe theory of tumor ecology indicates that the human normal body can be regarded as a relatively closed and perfect ecosystem. Each normal tissue and organ within the body represent a niche in this ecosystem, which interact, affect, and symbiotically coexist with each other, forming a dynamic ecological balance. Tumor cells, being a “new species” distinct from normal tissue cells, “invade” the ecological system of the normal body under specific conditions and interact with the surrounding microenvironment, which is defined as the tumor niche. Analysis of current literature retrieved from the perspective of the tumor niche suggested that, although genetic factors are involved in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cells, the majority of such carcinogenesis stems from the continuous stimulation of the colorectal niche. Current research primarily focuses on the conclusion that the carcinogenesis of colorectal cells is associated with factors such as chronic inflammatory response, intestinal microorganisms, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis. After carcinogenesis and the eventual formation of CRC, the growth of cancer cells and tissues first requires breaching the defense of the immune system in the colorectal niche. Immune cells in the immune system play a crucial role in the tumor niche during the occurrence and development of CRC. ConclusionsThe proposal of the tumor niche concept enables researchers, when studying the mechanisms of tumor occurrence and development, to no longer merely focus on the tumor and its microenvironment. Instead, the tumor as a part of the body’s ecosystem was studied. Components of the tumor niche, such as chronic inflammatory responses, intestinal microorganisms, oxidative stress, pyroptosis, and immune system, have a significant impact on the mechanisms of carcinogenesis of most colorectal cells, as well as the occurrence and development of cancer cells. These factors influence the progression of CRC in various aspects.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Wnt5a derived from tumor-associated fibroblasts （CAFs） on the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. MethodsThe differentially expressed genes Wnt5a between CAFs and normal gastric fibroblasts (NGFs) in gastric cancer tissues and their corresponding normal gastric tissues using the GEO database GSE194261 dataset were screened. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Wnt5a protein in tissue samples of clinical gastric cancer patients, and the relationship between Wnt5a protein expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer was analyzed. CAFs and NGFs were extracted from fresh surgical specimens of gastric cancer patients, and the expression of Wnt5a in CAFs was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot experiment. Transwell invasion and migration experiment was used to observe the effects of CAFs, inhibition of Wnt5a expression in CAFs and different concentrations of recombinant Wnt5a protein on the migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer MGC-803 and MKN-28 cell lines in vitro. ResultsThrough the screening of GEO database GSE194261 data set, it was found that Wnt5a was more expressed in CAFs than NGFs (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of Wnt5a protein in gastric cancer tissues was significantly stronger than that in normal gastric tissues (P<0.05), and the expression of Wnt5a protein was related to T stage of tumor (χ2=5.035, P<0.05), but not related to gender, age, degree of tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion and nerve invasion (P>0.05). Inhibiting Wnt5a derived from CAFs could inhibit the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. By stimulating gastric cancer cells with different concentrations of human recombinant Wnt5a protein, it was found that when the concentration of human recombinant Wnt5a protein was greater than 100 ng/mL, the invasion and migration abilities of MGC-803 and MKN-28 gastric cancer cells were significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionWnt5a is highly expressed in CAFs derived from the interstitial tissue of gastric cancer, which is related to the invasion depth of gastric cancer and can promote the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells.
Objective To review the research progress of osteoblasts in the hematopoietic microenvironment of bone marrow and regulatory pathways and mechanisms. Methods The advances in the osteoblasts as crucial components for hematopoietic microenvironment in bone marrow, regulation to osteoblasts and hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs), and correlative singal pathways and mechanisms were introduced based on the recent related literature. Results Evidence indicates that osteoblasts are crucial components of the hematopoietic microenvironments in adult bone marrow. The osteoblasts maintainthe quiescence of primitive HSCs by the signaling receptorsligands, secreted cell factors and celladhesion molecules and by regulating other cells in the niche. The quiescent primitive HSCs persist stem cell characteristic which has unlimited selfrenewal and multipotent differentiation potential. Conclusion The further understanding of the relationship between osteoblasts and hematopoietic microenvironment should lead to development of new strategies directed toward clinical therapeutics of HSCs transplantation.
ObjectiveTo understand the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and its research progress in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer, in order to provide new ideas and directions for the research and treatment of breast cancer. MethodThe development of scRNA-seq technology and its related research literature in breast cancer TME at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed. ResultsThe scRNA-seq was a quantum technology in high-throughput sequencing of mRNA at the cellular level, and had become a powerful tool for studying cellular heterogeneity when tissue samples were fewer. While capturing rare cell types, it was expected to accurately describe the complex structure of the TME of breast cancer. ConclusionsAfter decades of development, scRNA-seq has been widely used in tumor research. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor with high heterogeneity. The application of scRNA-seq in breast cancer research can better understand its tumor heterogeneity and TME, and then promote development of personalized diagnosis and treatment.
Objective
To understand etiology and available treatment of postoperative peritoneal adhesion.
Method
Domestic and overseas literatures in recent years about research progress of peritoneal adhesion were reviewed.
Results
As to the previous research, the operation was the main cause of peritoneal adhesion by the injury, inflammatory reaction, and hypoxia, which further affected the changes of the peritoneal microenvironment through the release of inflammatory cells, inflammatory mediators, cytokines, etc., then disturbed the balance of deposition and dissolution of fibrin and promoted the formation of extracellular matrix and microangiogenesis, resulted in peritoneal adhesion. The main treatment measures were optimizing surgical procedure and improving surgical technique, preventing fibrinolysis and promoting fiber protein degradation, some drug therapies involved molecules and genes, using biologic barrier treatment with drug barrier and mechanical barrier, and some other adjuvant therapies.
Conclusions
Pathogenesis of peritoneal adhesion is complex and poorly understood currently. There is no effective clinical treatment and intervention for this disease. Research on aspects of cell and molecular of abdominal cavity microenvironment will be beneficial to precise treatment of peritoneal adhesion, and combined medication of multiple targets and multiple links and related interventions are expected to apply for peritoneal adhesion in future.
Objective The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into insul in-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. However, low differentiation efficiency and poor maturity are the main obstacles. To investigate the feasibil ity of BMSCs differentiation into IPCs in diabetic pancreatic microenvironment of pigs. Methods BMSCs were isolated and purified from the bone marrow of a 4-week-old male pig. Fifteen female pigs (aged 8 to 10 weeks, weighing 8 to 10 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group (group A, n=5), diabetic control group (group B, n=5), and BMSCs transplanted group (group C, n=5). The pigs of groups B and C were treated by auris vein injections of styeptozocin and alloxan for 3 days to induce diabetes mell itus (DM) model, whose blood glucose level 2 days all greater than 17 mmol/L was successful DM model. A total of 1.1 mL of the 3rd passage BMSCs labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), with cell density of 5 × 107/ mL, were injected into subcapsular pancreas of group C at multi ple points, normal saline at the same dosage into those of groups A and B. After 30 days of monitoring blood glucose, the histological analysis of islet number and size were done; the immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the protein expression of insul in in the new-formed islets. The EGFP+ cells were collected from the sections using laser-capture microdissection; RT-PCR was used to detect insulin mRNA and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX1) mRNA expressions from EGFP+ cells, and the insul in and sexdetermining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) genes were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results The blood glucose level decreased significantly in group C when compared with that in group B from 18 days and gradually decreased with time (P lt; 0.05). The histological observation showed that the number of islets was increased significantly in group C when compared with that in group B (10.9 ± 2.2 vs. 4.6 ± 1.4, P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference when compared with that in group A (10.9 ± 2.2 vs.12.6 ± 2.6, P gt; 0.05). The size of new-formed islets in group C was significantly smaller than that in group A [(47.2 ± 19.6) μm vs. (119.6 ± 27.7) μm, P lt; 0.05]. The immunofluorescence staining showed that new-formed islets of group C expressed insulin protein. RT-PCR showed that the microdissected EGFP+ cells of group C expressed insulin mRNA and PDX-1 mRNA. FISH showed that the new-formed islet cells of group C contained SRY gene in Y chromosome and insulin double positive cells. Conclusion BMSCs can differentiate into IPCs in diabetic pancreatic microenvironment of pigs.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research results of metabolites of breast cancer based on metabonomics technology, and systematically reviews them in order to provide a new direction for the research of metabolism of breast cancer.MethodBy searching the relevant literatures in recent years, the application of metabonomics in identifying high-risk breast cancer population, monitoring the progress of tumor and evaluating the response of radiotherapy and chemotherapy were analyzed and summarized.ResultsWith the development of high-resolution, high-sensitivity and high-throughput bioanalysis platform technology, metabolomics had been widely used in breast cancer research field by virtue of its unique perspective and technical advantages to more accurately, systematically and dynamically monitor the changes of host metabolites.ConclusionMetabolomics technology provides a new research direction for primary prevention, early screening and diagnosis of breast cancer and optimal treatment strategy selection.
ObjectiveTo construct a prognostic model of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) based on immune checkpoint-related genes and explore the potential relationship between these genes and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods The transcriptome sequencing data and clinical information of immune checkpoint genes of samples from GSE53625 in GEO database were collected. The difference of gene expression between ESCC and normal paracancerous tissues was evaluated, and the drug sensitivity of differentially expressed genes in ESCC was analyzed. We then constructed a risk model based on survival-related genes and explored the prognostic characteristics, enriched pathway, immune checkpoints, immune score, immune cell infiltration, and potentially sensitive drugs of different risk groups. ResultsA total of 358 samples from 179 patients were enrolled, including 179 ESCC samples and 179 corresponding paracancerous tissues. There were 33 males and 146 females, including 80 patients≤60 years and 99 patients>60 years. 39 immune checkpoint genes were differentially expressed in ESCC, including 14 low expression genes and 25 high expression genes. Drug sensitivity analysis of 8 highly expressed genes (TNFRSF8, CTLA4, TNFRSF4, CD276, TNFSF4, IDO1, CD80, TNFRSF18) showed that many compounds were sensitive to these immunotherapy targets. A risk model based on three prognostic genes (NRP1, ICOSLG, HHLA2) was constructed by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis. It was found that the overall survival time of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group (P<0.001). Similar results were obtained in different ESCC subtypes. The risk score based on the immune checkpoint gene was identified as an independent prognostic factor for ESCC. Different risk groups had unique enriched pathways, immune cell infiltration, TME, and sensitive drugs. Conclusion A prognostic model based on immune checkpoint gene is established, which can accurately stratify ESCC and provide potential sensitive drugs for ESCC with different risks, thus providing a possibility for personalized treatment of ESCC.
Glioma is one of the most common primary tumors in the human brain with poor prognosis. The local and systemic immunosuppressive environment created by glioma cells enables them to evade immunosurveillance. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a critical component of the immunosuppression system. They are a heterogeneous cell population composed of early myeloid progenitor cells and precursor cells. Although the cells are diverse in phenotypes and functions, they all have strong immunosuppressive functions. MDSCs are extensively infiltrated into tumor tissues and play an important role in the glioma immunosuppressive microenvironment, which also hinders the immunotherapeutic effects of glioma. This article will review the phenotypic characteristics of MDSCs in the glioma microenvironment and their role in the progression of glioma. It is of positive significance to better understand the pathogenesis of glioma and explore effective comprehensive treatments.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and mechanism of inhibiting miR-429 to improve the permeability of the blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) in vitro, and provide a new gene therapy target for enhancing the spinal cord microenvironment.MethodsFirst, the immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3) was transfected with the anti-miR-429 antagonist (antagomiR-429) and its negative control (antagomiR-429-NC), respectively. The miR-429 expression of hCMEC/D3 cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR to verify the transfection efficiency of antagomiR-429. Then the effect of miR-429 on BSCB permeability was observed in vitro. The experiment was divided into 4 groups. The blank control group (group A) was constructed of normal hCMEC/D3 cells and Ha-sc cells to prepare the BSCB model, the hypoxia-induced group (group B), the hypoxia-induced+antagomiR-429-NC group (group C), and the hypoxia-induced+antagomiR-429 group (group D) were constructed of normal, antagomiR-429-NC transfected, and antagomiR-429 transfected hCMEC/D3 cells and Ha-sc cells to prepare the BSCB models and hypoxia treatment for 12 hours. The permeability of BSCB in vitro was measured by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) permeability. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the expressions of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5.ResultsThe antagomiR-429 and antagomiR-429-NC were successfully transfected into hCMEC/D3 cells under a fluorescence microscope, and the transfection efficiency was about 90%. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the relative expression of miR-429 in antagomiR-429 group was 0.109±0.013, which was significantly lower than that of antagomiR-429-NC group (0.956±0.004, P<0.05). HRP permeability measurement, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blot results showed that the HRP permeability of groups B and C were significantly higher than those of groups A and D (P<0.05), and the relative expressions of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 proteins and mRNAs were significantly lower in groups B and C than in groups A and D (P<0.05) and in group D than in group A (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between groups B and C (P>0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the immunofluorescence of ZO-1, Occudin, and Claudin-5 at the cell membrane boundary in group D were stronger than those in groups B and C, but not as strong as that in group A.ConclusionInhibition of miR-429 expression can promote the expressions of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 proteins in microvascular endothelial cells, thereby improving the increased permeability of BSCB due to hypoxia.
