Dataset Information

Genes associated with bowel metastases in ovarian cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study is designed to identify genes and pathways that could promote metastasis to the bowel in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (OC) and evaluate their associations with clinical outcomes.

Methods

We performed RNA sequencing of OC primary tumors (PTs) and their corresponding bowel metastases (n = 21 discovery set; n = 18 replication set). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were those expressed at least 2-fold higher in bowel metastases (BMets) than PTs in at least 30% of patients (P < .05) with no increased expression in paired benign bowel tissue and were validated with quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Using an independent OC cohort (n = 333), associations between DEGs in PTs and surgical and clinical outcomes were performed. Immunohistochemistry and mouse xenograft studies were performed to confirm the role of LRRC15 in promoting metastasis.

Results

Among 27 DEGs in the discovery set, 21 were confirmed in the replication set: SFRP2, Col11A1, LRRC15, ADAM12, ADAMTS12, MFAP5, LUM, PLPP4, FAP, POSTN, GRP, MMP11, MMP13, C1QTNF3, EPYC, DIO2, KCNA1, NETO1, NTM, MYH13, and PVALB. Higher expression of more than half of the genes in the PT was associated with an increased requirement for bowel resection at primary surgery and an inability to achieve complete cytoreduction. Increased expression of LRRC15 in BMets was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and knockdown of LRRC15 significantly inhibited tumor progression in mice.

Conclusions

We identified 21 genes that are overexpressed in bowel metastases among patients with OC. Our findings will help select potential molecular targets for the prevention and treatment of malignant bowel obstruction in OC.

SUBMITTER: Mariani A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8767766 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundTranscoelomic spread is the major route of metastasis of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) with the omentum as the major metastatic site. Its unique tumour microenvironment with its large populations of adipocytes, mesothelial cells and immune cells establishes an intercellular signaling network that is instrumental for metastatic growth yet poorly understood.MethodsBased on transcriptomic analysis of tumour cells, tumour-associated immune and stroma cells we defined intercellular signaling pathways for 284 cytokines and growth factors and their cognate receptors after bioinformatic adjustment for contaminating cell types. The significance of individual components of this network was validated by analysing clinical correlations and potentially pro-metastatic functions, including tumour cell migration, pro-inflammatory signal transduction and TAM expansion.ResultsThe data show an unexpected prominent role of host cells, and in particular of omental adipocytes, mesothelial cells and fibroblasts (CAF), in sustaining this signaling network. These cells, rather than tumour cells, are the major source of most cytokines and growth factors in the omental microenvironment (n = 176 vs. n = 13). Many of these factors target tumour cells, are linked to metastasis and are associated with a short survival. Likewise, tumour stroma cells play a major role in extracellular-matrix-triggered signaling. We have verified the functional significance of our observations for three exemplary instances. We show that the omental microenvironment (i) stimulates tumour cell migration and adhesion via WNT4 which is highly expressed by CAF; (ii) induces pro-tumourigenic TAM proliferation in conjunction with high CSF1 expression by omental stroma cells and (iii) triggers pro-inflammatory signaling, at least in part via a HSP70-NF-κB pathway.ConclusionsThe intercellular signaling network of omental metastases is majorly dependent on factors secreted by immune and stroma cells to provide an environment that supports ovarian HGSC progression. Clinically relevant pathways within this network represent novel options for therapeutic intervention.

Project description:Background: Transcoelomic spread is the major route of metastasis of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) with the omentum as the major metastatic site. Its unique tumor microenvironment with its large populations of adipocytes, mesothelial cells and immune cells establishes an intercellular signaling network that is instrumental for metastatic growth yet poorly understood. Methods: Based on transcriptomic analysis of tumor cells, tumor-associated immune and stroma cells we defined intercellular signaling pathways for 284 cytokines and growth factors and their cognate receptors after bioinformatic adjustment for contaminating cell types. The significance of individual components of this network was validated by analyzing clinical correlations and potentially pro-metastatic functions, including tumor cell migration, pro-inflammatory signal transduction and TAM expansion. Results: The data show an unexpected prominent role of host cells, and in particular of omental adipocytes, mesothelial cells and fibroblasts (CAF), in sustaining this signaling network. These cells, rather than tumor cells, are the major source of most cytokines and growth factors in the omental microenvironment (n=176 versus n=13). Many of these factors target tumor cells, are linked to metastasis and are associated with a short survival. Likewise, tumor stroma cells play a major role in both extracellular-matrix-triggered and lipid-mediated signaling. We have verified the functional significance of our observations for three exemplary instances. We show that the omental microenvironment (i) stimulates tumor cell migration via WNT4 which is highly expressed by CAF; (ii) induces pro-tumorigenic TAM proliferation in conjunction with high CSF1 expression by omental stroma cells and (iii) triggers pro-inflammatory signaling, at least in part via a HSP70 – NFkB pathway. Conclusions: The intercellular signaling network of omental metastases is majorly dependent on factors secreted by immune and stroma cells to provide an environment that supports ovarian HGSC progression. Clinically relevant pathways within this network represent novel options for therapeutic intervention.