Mucciolo Gianluca, Araos Henríquez Joaquín, Jihad Muntadher, Pinto Teles Sara, Manansala Judhell S, Li Wenlong, Ashworth Sally, Lloyd Eloise G, Cheng Priscilla S W, Luo Weike, Anand Akanksha, Sawle Ashley, Piskorz Anna, Biffi Giulia
University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
Cancer Cell. 2024 Jan 8;42(1):101-118.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.12.002. Epub 2023 Dec 28.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are recognized potential therapeutic targets, but poor understanding of these heterogeneous cell populations has limited the development of effective treatment strategies. We previously identified transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) as a main driver of myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs). Here, we show that epidermal growth factor receptor/Erb-B2 receptor (EGFR/ERBB2) signaling is induced by TGF-β in myCAFs through an autocrine process mediated by amphiregulin. Inhibition of this EGFR/ERBB2-signaling network in PDAC organoid-derived cultures and mouse models differentially impacts distinct CAF subtypes, providing insights into mechanisms underpinning their heterogeneity. Remarkably, EGFR-activated myCAFs promote PDAC metastasis in mice, unmasking functional significance in myCAF heterogeneity. Finally, analyses of other cancer datasets suggest that these processes might operate in other malignancies. These data provide functional relevance to myCAF heterogeneity and identify a candidate target for preventing tumor invasion in PDAC.
胰腺导管腺癌(PDAC)的预后很差。癌症相关成纤维细胞(CAFs)被认为是潜在的治疗靶点,但对这些异质性细胞群体的了解不足限制了有效治疗策略的发展。我们之前确定转化生长因子β(TGF-β)是肌成纤维细胞CAFs(myCAFs)的主要驱动因素。在此,我们表明表皮生长因子受体/Erb-B2受体(EGFR/ERBB2)信号在myCAFs中由TGF-β通过双调蛋白介导的自分泌过程诱导产生。在源自PDAC类器官的培养物和小鼠模型中抑制这种EGFR/ERBB2信号网络对不同的CAF亚型有不同影响,这为其异质性的潜在机制提供了见解。值得注意的是,EGFR激活的myCAFs促进小鼠中的PDAC转移,揭示了myCAF异质性的功能意义。最后,对其他癌症数据集的分析表明,这些过程可能在其他恶性肿瘤中起作用。这些数据为myCAF异质性提供了功能相关性,并确定了一个预防PDAC肿瘤侵袭的候选靶点。
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