Ectopic lymphoid structures function as microniches for tumor progenitor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Finkin S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4653079 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Genomic copy number profiling of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) from IKKβ(EE)Hep mice (C57BL/6) constitutively expressing IKKβ in the liver without and after treatment with DEN (diethylnitrosamine) and of HCCs that developed in wild type mice (C57BL/6) after DEN treatment.
2015-09-25 | E-MTAB-3848 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Background & aimsCancer progression/metastases and embryonic development share many properties including cellular plasticity, dynamic cell motility, and integral interaction with the microenvironment. We hypothesized that the heterogeneous nature of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in part, may be owing to the presence of hepatic cancer cells with stem/progenitor features.MethodsGene expression profiling and immunohistochemistry analyses were used to analyze 235 tumor specimens derived from 2 recently identified HCC subtypes (EpCAM(+) alpha-fetoprotein [AFP(+)] HCC and EpCAM(-) AFP(-) HCC). These subtypes differed in their expression of AFP, a molecule produced in the developing embryo, and EpCAM, a cell surface hepatic stem cell marker. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to isolate EpCAM(+) HCC cells, which were tested for hepatic stem/progenitor cell properties.ResultsGene expression and pathway analyses revealed that the EpCAM(+) AFP(+) HCC subtype had features of hepatic stem/progenitor cells. Indeed, the fluorescence-activated cell sorting-isolated EpCAM(+) HCC cells displayed hepatic cancer stem cell-like traits including the abilities to self-renew and differentiate. Moreover, these cells were capable of initiating highly invasive HCC in nonobese diabetic, severe combined immunodeficient mice. Activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling enriched the EpCAM(+) cell population, whereas RNA interference-based blockage of EpCAM, a Wnt/beta-catenin signaling target, attenuated the activities of these cells.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggest that HCC growth and invasiveness is dictated by a subset of EpCAM(+) cells, opening a new avenue for HCC cancer cell eradication by targeting Wnt/beta-catenin signaling components such as EpCAM.
| S-EPMC2828822 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Persistent non-infectious uveitis has a significant morbidity, but the extent to which this is accompanied by inflammation driven remodelling of the tissue is unclear. To address this question, we studied a series of samples selected from two ocular tissue repositories and identified 15 samples with focal infiltration. Eleven of fifteen contained lymphocytes, both B cells (CD20 positive) and T cells (CD3 positive). In 20% of the samples there was evidence of ectopic lymphoid like structures with focal aggregations of B cells and T cells, segregated into anatomically different adjacent zones. To investigate inflammation in the tissue, an analysis of 520 immune relevant transcripts was carried out and 24 genes were differentially upregulated, compared with control tissue. Two of these (CD14 and fibronectin) were increased in ocular inflammation compared to control immune tissue (tonsil). We demonstrate that in a significant minority of patients, chronic persistent uveitis leads to dysregulation of ocular immune surveillance, characterized by the development of areas of local ectopic lymphoid like structures, which may be a target for therapeutic intervention directed at antibody producing cells.
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Project description:To investigate the molecular pathways altered during aging of the lacrimal gland in C57BL/6J females, we compared the LG transcriptome at different time points.
2023-02-06 | GSE224596 | GEO
Project description:Tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) play a critical role in the progression of various tumors. However, the dynamics of lymphocyte recruitment during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical progression have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, tissue microarrays and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to evaluate the existence and degree of TLS in HCC patients. Nine immune biomarkers in intratumoral tissues were examined by immunohistochemical staining. A total of 462 patients were recruited for the study. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that TLS was inversely correlated with the risk of early tumor recurrence (P=0.014), whereas no association was found between TLS and overall survival. Cox regression analysis identified TLS as an independent prognostic factor for early HCC recurrence (P=0.005). In addition, TLS was associated with increased intratumoral CD3+, CD8+, CD20+, and decreased infiltration of Foxp3+ and CD68+ cells. A lower density of PD1+, TIM3+, and LAG3+ were found in TLS+ cases. Sub-analysis revealed the prognostic value of TLS on early-stage HCC (BCLC 0-A, TNM stage I-II) and HCC with solitary nodule. The validation cohort verified the prognostic value of TLS in early-stage HCC patients. These results suggest that TLS-targeted immune-modulating therapies may be a potential strategy for effective immune-mediated tumor suppression.
| S-EPMC7066901 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The existence of intratumoral tertiary lymphoid structure (iTLS) has been reported to correlative with favorable clinical outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the role of peritumoral TLS (pTLS). This study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of pTLS either alone or jointly with iTLS and the potential association with local immune response in HCC. The formation and cellular composition of TLS was evaluated by hematoxylin & eosin and immunohistochemistry. Evaluation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and formation of germinal center (GC) inside TLS was performed by immunohistochemistry. The gene expression profiles were analyzed by real-time PCR. In a total of 360 patients from two independent cohorts, the pTLS was identified in most, whereas iTLS could be observed in only approximately 30% of HCC specimens. Patients with high pTLS densities were associated with improved outcomes, those present with characteristic morphology of GC, particularly, showing an even better prognosis. The combination of pTLS and iTLS allowed the identification of patients with best prognosis. Tumors with high pTLS density showed significantly increased expression of Th1-, Th17- and immune suppression-related genes, as well as significantly higher infiltration of CD3+, CD8+ and CD20+ cells and lower infiltration of FOXP3+, CD68+ and PD1+ cells. Conclusively, we provide evidence that pTLS is associated with intratumoral immune infiltration, highlighting the dynamic interplay between pTLS and immune cells recruitment. High pTLS density links to a tumor microenvironment with an active immune reaction and improved patient survival and represents a promising prognostic biomarker for HCC.
| S-EPMC8187907 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
2024-09-13 | GSE272348 | GEO
Project description:Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a typical inflammation-associated cancer. Tissue resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been suggested to control tumor surveillance. Here we studied how the local cytokine milieu controls ILCs in HCC. Design: We performed bulk RNA sequencing of HCC tissue as well as flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of enriched ILCs from non-tumor liver, margin and tumor core derived from 48 HCC patients. Simultaneous measurement of protein and RNA expression at the single-cell level (AbSeq) identified precise signatures of ILC subgroups. In-vitro culturing of ILCs was used to validate findings from in-silico analysis. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data from large HCC cohorts allowed stratification and survival analysis based on transcriptomic signatures. Results: RNA sequencing of tumor, non-tumor and margin identified tumor-dependent gradients of which were not only associated with poor survival but also control ILC plasticity. Single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry of ILCs from HCC livers identified NK-like cells in the non-tumor tissue, losing their cytotoxic profile as they transitioned into tumor ILC1 and NK-like-ILC3 cells. Tumor ILC composition was mediated by cytokine gradients that directed ILC plasticity towards activated tumor ILC2s. This was liver-specific and not seen in ILCs from PBMC. Patients with high ILC2/ILC1 ratio expressed IL-33 in the tumor that promoted ILC2 generation which was associated with better survival. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the tumor cytokine milieu controls ILC composition and HCC outcome. Specific changes of cytokines modify ILC composition in the tumor by inducing plasticity and alter ILC function.
2021-08-11 | GSE179795 | GEO
Project description:Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a typical inflammation-associated cancer. Tissue resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been suggested to control tumor surveillance. Here we studied how the local cytokine milieu controls ILCs in HCC. Design: We performed bulk RNA sequencing of HCC tissue as well as flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of enriched ILCs from non-tumor liver, margin and tumor core derived from 48 HCC patients. Simultaneous measurement of protein and RNA expression at the single-cell level (AbSeq) identified precise signatures of ILC subgroups. In-vitro culturing of ILCs was used to validate findings from in-silico analysis. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data from large HCC cohorts allowed stratification and survival analysis based on transcriptomic signatures. Results: RNA sequencing of tumor, non-tumor and margin identified tumor-dependent gradients of which were not only associated with poor survival but also control ILC plasticity. Single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry of ILCs from HCC livers identified NK-like cells in the non-tumor tissue, losing their cytotoxic profile as they transitioned into tumor ILC1 and NK-like-ILC3 cells. Tumor ILC composition was mediated by cytokine gradients that directed ILC plasticity towards activated tumor ILC2s. This was liver-specific and not seen in ILCs from PBMC. Patients with high ILC2/ILC1 ratio expressed IL-33 in the tumor that promoted ILC2 generation which was associated with better survival. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the tumor cytokine milieu controls ILC composition and HCC outcome. Specific changes of cytokines modify ILC composition in the tumor by inducing plasticity and alter ILC function.
2021-08-11 | GSE179746 | GEO
Project description:BackgroundFollicular structures resembling germinal centres (GCs) that are characterized by follicular dendritic cell (FDC) networks have long been recognized in chronically inflamed tissues in autoimmune diseases, including the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is debated whether these ectopic structures promote autoimmunity and chronic inflammation driving the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. Anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) are highly specific markers of RA, predict a poor prognosis, and have been suggested to be pathogenic. Therefore, the main study objectives were to determine whether ectopic lymphoid structures in RA synovium: (i) express activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), the enzyme required for somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination (CSR) of Ig genes; (ii) support ongoing CSR and ACPA production; and (iii) remain functional in a RA/severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) chimera model devoid of new immune cell influx into the synovium.Methods and findingsUsing immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative Taqman real-time PCR (QT-PCR) in synovial tissue from 55 patients with RA, we demonstrated that FDC+ structures invariably expressed AID with a distribution resembling secondary lymphoid organs. Further, AID+/CD21+ follicular structures were surrounded by ACPA+/CD138+ plasma cells, as demonstrated by immune reactivity to citrullinated fibrinogen. Moreover, we identified a novel subset of synovial AID+/CD20+ B cells outside GCs resembling interfollicular large B cells. In order to gain direct functional evidence that AID+ structures support CSR and in situ manufacturing of class-switched ACPA, 34 SCID mice were transplanted with RA synovium and humanely killed at 4 wk for harvesting of transplants and sera. Persistent expression of AID and Igamma-Cmu circular transcripts (identifying ongoing IgM-IgG class-switching) was observed in synovial grafts expressing FDCs/CD21L. Furthermore, synovial mRNA levels of AID were closely associated with circulating human IgG ACPA in mouse sera. Finally, the survival and proliferation of functional B cell niches was associated with persistent overexpression of genes regulating ectopic lymphoneogenesis.ConclusionsOur demonstration that FDC+ follicular units invariably express AID and are surrounded by ACPA-producing plasma cells provides strong evidence that ectopic lymphoid structures in the RA synovium are functional and support autoantibody production. This concept is further confirmed by evidence of sustained AID expression, B cell proliferation, ongoing CSR, and production of human IgG ACPA from GC+ synovial tissue transplanted into SCID mice, independently of new B cell influx from the systemic circulation. These data identify AID as a potential therapeutic target in RA and suggest that survival of functional synovial B cell niches may profoundly influence chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and response to B cell-depleting therapies.
| S-EPMC2621263 | biostudies-literature