Plasma Membrane Of Tumor Cells Research Articles

Regulating Cholesterol in Tumorigenesis: A Novel Paradigm for Tumor Nanotherapeutics.

During the past decade, "membrane lipid therapy", which involves the regulation of the structure and function of tumor cell plasma membranes, has emerged as a new strategy for cancer treatment. Cholesterol is an important component of the tumor plasma membrane and serves an essential role in tumor initiation and progression. This review elucidates the role of cholesterol in tumorigenesis (including tumor cell proliferation, invasion/metastasis, drug resistance, and immunosuppressive microenvironment) and elaborates on the potential therapeutic targets for tumor treatment by regulating cholesterol. More meaningfully, this review provides an overview of cholesterol-integrated membrane lipid nanotherapeutics for cancer therapy through cholesterol regulation. These strategies include cholesterol biosynthesis interference, cholesterol uptake disruption, cholesterol metabolism regulation, cholesterol depletion, and cholesterol-based combination treatments. In summary, this review demonstrates the tumor nanotherapeutics based on cholesterol regulation, which will provide a reference for the further development of "membrane lipid therapy" for tumors.

Imaging-Guided Photoacoustic Immunotherapy Based on the Polydopamine-Functionalized Black Phosphorus Nanocomposites.

Phototherapy has great application prospects in superficial tumors, such as melanoma, esophageal cancer, and breast carcinoma, owing to the advantages of noninvasiveness, high spatiotemporal selectivity, and less side effects. However, classical phototherapies including photodynamic and photothermal therapy still need to settle the bottleneck problems of poor efficacy, inevitable thermal damage, and a high rate of postoperative recurrence. In this study, we developed a nanocomposite with excellent optical properties and immune-stimulating properties, termed PBP@CpG, which was obtained by functionalizing black phosphorus (BP) with polydopamine and further adsorbing CpG. Benefiting from the protection of polydopamine against BP, ideal light absorption, and photoacoustic conversion properties, PBP@CpG not only enables precisely delineation of the tumor region with photoacoustic imaging but also powerfully disrupts the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton of tumor cells with a photoacoustic cavitation effect. In addition, we found that the photoacoustic cavitation effect was also capable of inducing immunogenic cell death and remarkably strengthening the antitumor immune response upon cooperating with immune adjuvant CpG. Therefore, PBP@CpG was expected to provide a promising nanoplatform for optical theranostics and herald a new strategy of photoimmunotherapy based on the photoacoustic cavitation effects and immunostimulatory effect.

A new look at Hsp70 activity in phosphatidylserine-enriched membranes: chaperone-induced quasi-interdigitated lipid phase

70 kDa heat shock protein Hsp70 (also termed HSP70A1A) is the major stress-inducible member of the HSP70 chaperone family, which is present on the plasma membranes of various tumor cells, but not on the membranes of the corresponding normal cells. The exact mechanisms of Hsp70 anchoring in the membrane and its membrane-related functions are still under debate, since the protein does not contain consensus signal sequence responsible for translocation from the cytosol to the lipid bilayer. The present study was focused on the analysis of the interaction of recombinant human Hsp70 with the model phospholipid membranes. We have confirmed that Hsp70 has strong specificity toward membranes composed of negatively charged phosphatidylserine (PS), compared to neutral phosphatidylcholine membranes. Using differential scanning calorimetry, we have shown for the first time that Hsp70 affects the thermotropic behavior of saturated PS and leads to the interdigitation that controls membrane thickness and rigidity. Hsp70-PS interaction depended on the lipid phase state; the protein stabilized ordered domains enriched with high-melting PS, increasing their area, probably due to formation of quasi-interdigitated phase. Moreover, the ability of Hsp70 to form ion-permeable pores in PS membranes may also be determined by the bilayer thickness. These observations contribute to a better understanding of Hsp70-PS interaction and biological functions of membrane-bound Hsp70 in cancer cells.

Role of organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) in the response of hepatocellular carcinoma to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Impaired function of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been associated with unsatisfactory response to sorafenib. However, some patients lacking OCT1 at the plasma membrane (PM) of HCC cells still respond to sorafenib, suggesting that another transporter may contribute to take up this drug. The aim of this study was to investigate whether OCT3 could contribute to the uptake of sorafenib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and whether OCT3 determination can predict HCC response to sorafenib. Cells overexpressing OCT3 were used to determine the ability of this carrier to transport sorafenib. Immunostaining of OCT3 was performed in HCC samples obtained in the TRANSFER study. Considering the intensity of staining and the number of OCT3-positive cells, tumors were classified as having absent, weak, moderate, or strong OCT3 expression and were also categorized according to the presence or absence of PM staining. Functional in vitro studies revealed that OCT3 is also able to mediate sorafenib uptake. Other TKIs, such as regorafenib, lenvatinib, and cabozantinib can also interact with this transporter. In silico studies suggested that the expression of OCT3 is better preserved in HCC than that of OCT1. In HCC samples, OCT3 was expressed at the PM of cancer cells, and its presence, detected in 26% of tumors, was associated with better outcomes in patients treated with sorafenib. In conclusion, analysis by immunohistochemistry of OCT3 in the PM of tumor cells may help to predict the response of HCC patients to sorafenib and potentially to other TKIs.

P02.19.A ASSESSMENT OF HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN HSP70 EXPRESSION IN THE GLIOBLASTOMA STEM-LIKE CELLS

Abstract BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor characterized by poor prognosis. The search of biomarkers for early diagnosis and as targets and for tumor theranostics due to the aggressiveness of the disease is urgently needed. One of the promising targets for therapy of brain tumors is 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70), which has been found on the plasma membrane of various tumor cells (including GBM) but not on normal cells. GBM, like other types of tumors, has cellular heterogeneity. In particular, it contains tumor stem-like cells (TSLCs), which are considered analogues of healthy stem cells and are largely responsible for disease progression, recurrence and mediate resistance to ongoing therapy. In the present work, the histological sections of human GBM were analyzed to identify and quantify the colocalization of the heat shock protein Hsp70 with TSLC markers using the Opal Multiplex analysis system. MATERIAL AND METHODS Histological sections were prepared in accordance with the standard protocol using postoperative material from patients with newly diagnosed GBM (n=15). Zones of necrosis and living tissue were identified on tumor sections. Based on a phenotyping map using the Pathology Views™ fluorescence image analysis software, Hsp70 colocalization was quantified with Nestin and Sox2 in the areas of necrosis and viable tissue employing primary antibodies (anti-Hsp70, anti-Nestin and anti-Sox2). The preparations were stained using an Opal 3-Plex Manual Detection Kit according to the manufacturer's protocol. RESULTS The expression of Hsp70 and TSLC markers (Nestin and Sox2) was detected. The obtained quantitative data did not reveal significant differences in the distribution of cells expressing Hsp70 in the areas of necrosis and viable tissue (36 and 41%, respectively), which may indicate their uniform distribution in the tumor. Sufficiently high colocalization of Hsp70 with Nestin and Sox2 factors was detected mainly in the zone of viable tissue (57 and 30%, respectively). CONCLUSION Colocalization of Hsp70 with TSLC markers indicates the prospects for further studies of Hsp70, as well as its use for targeted therapy of malignant brain tumors.

Hsp70-A Universal Biomarker for Predicting Therapeutic Failure in Human Female Cancers and a Target for CTC Isolation in Advanced Cancers.

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is frequently overexpressed in many different tumor types. However, Hsp70 has also been shown to be selectively presented on the plasma membrane of tumor cells, but not normal cells, and this membrane form of Hsp70 (mHsp70) could be considered a universal tumor biomarker. Since viable, mHsp70-positive tumor cells actively release Hsp70 in lipid micro-vesicles, we investigated the utility of Hsp70 in circulation as a universal tumor biomarker and its potential as an early predictive marker of therapeutic failure. We have also evaluated mHsp70 as a target for the isolation and enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with different tumor entities. Circulating vesicular Hsp70 levels were measured in the peripheral blood of tumor patients with the compHsp70 ELISA. CTCs were isolated using cmHsp70.1 and EpCAM monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based bead approaches and characterized by immunohistochemistry using cytokeratin and CD45-specific antibodies. In two out of 35 patients exhibiting therapeutic failure two years after initial diagnosis of non-metastatic breast cancer, progressively increasing levels of circulating Hsp70 had already been observed during therapy, whereas levels in patients without subsequent recurrence remained unaltered. With regards to CTC isolation from patients with different tumors, an Hsp70 mAb-based selection system appears superior to an EpCAM mAb-based approach. Extracellular and mHsp70 can therefore serve as a predictive biomarker for therapeutic failure in early-stage tumors and as a target for the isolation of CTCs in various tumor diseases.

Abstract A022: Translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) stimulates mutant KRAS function in cancer

Abstract KRAS mutations appear with high frequency in colorectal, lung and pancreatic cancers, which are the three leading causes of new cancer deaths worldwide. Mutant KRAS is preferentially bound to GTP resulting in continuous cell proliferation. Mutant KRAS exposes cells to oncogenic forms of stress (i.e. genotoxic, metabolic, proteostatic stress), which disrupt proliferation and tissue homeostasis. To cope with stress, cells engage pro-adaptive mechanisms, which act in favor of mutant KRAS to transform cells. An important adaptation mechanism to stress acts at the level of mRNA translation and involves the functional interplay between the translation initiator factors eIF2 and eIF2B. Phosphorylated eIF2 mediates a translational and transcriptional reprogramming to promote adaptation under stress, a process that is antagonized by the guanine exchange function (GEF) of eIF2B. We demonstrate the physical interaction between mutant KRAS and eIF2B by mass spectrometry. Using genetic approaches, we show that eIF2B is required for the survival and proliferation of tumor cells with KRAS mutations via the stimulation of MAPK signaling. We also show that eIF2B contributes to increased resistance of tumor cells to pharmacological inhibition of mutant KRAS forms. Genetic inactivation of eIF2B promotes the formation of mutant KRAS-GDP complexes whereas its pharmacological stimulation facilitates mutant KRAS-GTP complex formation in tumor cells; this data supports a potential GEF function for eIF2B towards mutant KRAS. Cell imaging experiments provide strong evidence for the implication of eIF2B in the association of mutant KRAS with the plasma membrane of tumor cells. Our findings reveal a stimulatory role of eIF2B in mutant KRAS signaling and provide a previously unidentified link between mutant KRAS and mRNA translation with implications in the growth and treatment of cancers with KRAS mutations. Citation Format: Hyungdong Kim, Nour Ghaddar, Laleh Ebrahimi Ghahnavieh, Shuo Wang, Kwang-Jin Cho, Atsuo Sasaki, Antonis E. Koromilas. Translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) stimulates mutant KRAS function in cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Targeting RAS; 2023 Mar 5-8; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2023;21(5_Suppl):Abstract nr A022.

Selective Visualization of Tumor Cell Membranes and Tumors with a Viscosity-Sensitive Plasma Membrane Probe.

Cancer is a worldwide health problem. Revealing the changes in the microenvironment after cell carcinogenesis is helpful to understand cancer and develop sensitive methods for cancer diagnosis. We developed herein a viscosity-responsive plasma membrane probe (TPA-S) that was successfully used to probe the viscosity difference between normal and tumor cell plasma membranes for the first time. The probe shows AIE properties with good water solubility, significant near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence responses to viscosity with high sensitivity, and excellent cell membrane location performance. With these features, our experiments showed that TPA-S could selectively visualize cancer cell plasma membranes, revealing that the plasma membrane of tumor cells is more viscous than that of normal cells. In addition, TPA-S was successfully applied to specifically light up tumors. Altogether, this work explored the changes of cell membrane viscosity after canceration, provided a new method for selective visualization of tumor cells, and opened up a new approach for cancer diagnosis.

Targeted Fusogenic Liposomes for Effective Tumor Delivery and Penetration of Lipophilic Cargoes.

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has been widely used for effective anticancer treatment. However, a key challenge restricting the efficacy of nanotherapeutics is limited tissue penetration within solid tumors. Here, we report a targeted fusogenic liposome (TFL) that can selectively deliver lipophilic cargo to the plasma membranes of tumor cells. TFL is prepared by directly attaching tumor-targeting peptides to the surface of FL instead of the cationic moieties. The lipophilic cargo loaded in the membrane of TFL is transferred to the plasma membranes of tumor cells and subsequently packaged in the extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by the cells. Systemically administered TFL accumulates in the perivascular region of tumors, where the lipophilic cargo is unloaded to the tumor cell membranes and distributed autonomously throughout the tumor tissue via extracellular vesicle-mediated intercellular transfer. When loaded with a lipophilic pro-apoptotic drug, thapsigargin (Tg), TFL significantly inhibits tumor growth in a mouse colorectal cancer model. Furthermore, the combination treatment with TFL (Tg) potentiates the antitumor efficacy of FDA-approved liposomal doxorubicin, whose therapeutic effect is limited to perivascular regions without significant toxicity.

A New ABCB1 Inhibitor Enhances the Anticancer Effect of Doxorubicin in Both In Vitro and In Vivo Models of NSCLC.

In tumors, the multi drug resistance phenomenon may occur through the efflux of chemotherapeutic drugs out of cancer cells, impeding their accumulation, and eventually reducing their toxicity. This process is mediated by transporters overexpressed in the plasma membranes of tumor cells, among which is the P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance 1/ATP-binding cassette B1 (P-gp/MDR1/ABCB1). The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a new molecule, called AIF-1, on ABCB1 activity. In a cellular model of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), AIF-1 significantly inhibited ABCB1 activity, which was evaluated by the fluorimetric measurement of the intracellular accumulation of calcein. AIF-1 also significantly increased the intracellular content of doxorubicin, which was evaluated by confocal microscopy and LC-MS/MS analysis. This effect translated to higher cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and reduced cellular proliferation. Finally, in a murine xenograft model, the tumor volume increased by 267% and 148% on average in mice treated with vehicle and doxorubicin alone, respectively. After the co-administration of doxorubicin with AIF-1, tumor volume increased by only 13.4%. In conclusion, these results suggest enhancement of the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin by AIF-1, laying the basis for the future development of new ABCB1 inhibitors for tumor treatment.

Haploinsufficiency of the lysosomal sialidase NEU1 results in a model of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in mice

Rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common pediatric sarcoma, has no effective treatment for the pleomorphic subtype. Still, what triggers transformation into this aggressive phenotype remains poorly understood. Here we used Ptch1+/−/ETV7TG/+/− mice with enhanced incidence of rhabdomyosarcoma to generate a model of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma driven by haploinsufficiency of the lysosomal sialidase neuraminidase 1. These tumors share mostly features of embryonal and some of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Mechanistically, we show that the transforming pathway is increased lysosomal exocytosis downstream of reduced neuraminidase 1, exemplified by the redistribution of the lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 at the plasma membrane of tumor and stromal cells. Here we exploit this unique feature for single cell analysis and define heterogeneous populations of exocytic, only partially differentiated cells that force tumors to pleomorphism and promote a fibrotic microenvironment. These data together with the identification of an adipogenic signature shared by human rhabdomyosarcoma, and likely fueling the tumor’s metabolism, make this model of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma ideal for diagnostic and therapeutic studies.

Phosphatidylinositol Monophosphates Regulate the Membrane Localization of HSPA1A, a Stress-Inducible 70-kDa Heat Shock Protein.

HSPA1A is a molecular chaperone that regulates the survival of stressed and cancer cells. In addition to its cytosolic pro-survival functions, HSPA1A also localizes and embeds in the plasma membrane (PM) of stressed and tumor cells. Membrane-associated HSPA1A exerts immunomodulatory functions and renders tumors resistant to standard therapies. Therefore, understanding and manipulating HSPA1A’s surface presentation is a promising therapeutic. However, HSPA1A’s pathway to the cell surface remains enigmatic because this protein lacks known membrane localization signals. Considering that HSPA1A binds to lipids, like phosphatidylserine (PS) and monophosphorylated phosphoinositides (PIPs), we hypothesized that this interaction regulates HSPA1A’s PM localization and anchorage. To test this hypothesis, we subjected human cell lines to heat shock, depleted specific lipid targets, and quantified HSPA1A’s PM localization using confocal microscopy and cell surface biotinylation. These experiments revealed that co-transfection of HSPA1A with lipid-biosensors masking PI(4)P and PI(3)P significantly reduced HSPA1A’s heat-induced surface presentation. Next, we manipulated the cellular lipid content using ionomycin, phenyl arsine oxide (PAO), GSK-A1, and wortmannin. These experiments revealed that HSPA1A’s PM localization was unaffected by ionomycin but was significantly reduced by PAO, GSK-A1, and wortmannin, corroborating the findings obtained by the co-transfection experiments. We verified these results by selectively depleting PI(4)P and PI(4,5)P2 using a rapamycin-induced phosphatase system. Our findings strongly support the notion that HSPA1A’s surface presentation is a multifaceted lipid-driven phenomenon controlled by the binding of the chaperone to specific endosomal and PM lipids.

Abstract 504: Membrane-associated heat shock protein mHsp70 is involved in cancer cell invasion and tumor recurrence in malignant brain tumors

Abstract Heat shock proteins (HSPs) constitute a large family of highly conserved proteins acting as molecular chaperones that play a key role in intracellular proteostasis, regulation of apoptosis, and protection from various stress factors (including hypoxia, thermal stress, oxidative stress). Apart from their intracellular localization, members of different HSPs families such as Hsp70 have been found to be localized on the plasma membrane of malignantly transformed cells, including multiforme glioblastoma (GBM). However, the role of the membrane-bound mHsp70 has not yet been elucidated in the pathophysiology of GBM. We have assessed the mHsp70 expression in biopsies obtained from neuro-oncological patients employing inverted confocal microscopy (Leica Microsystems) and CellVoyager CQ1 Benchtop High-Content Analysis System (Yokogawa). Live-cell imaging of the patient-derived biopsy revealed the increased cellular density of mHsp70-positive tumor cells particularly in the tissue along the tumor-brain margin (biopsy was derived 3 mm from contrast-enhancing margin and also within hyperintense FLAIR). Time-lapse analysis of the tumor sample further demonstrated the migration of mHsp70-positive cells into the surrounding culture medium. Subsequent high-powered multiplex immunofluorescence analysis (Akoya Biosystems Inc.) confirmed markedly increased single-cell infiltration of mHsp70(+) tumor cells (that were also co-immunofluorescently stained for SOX2, Nestin, and Oct4) in the normal brain tissues. In conclusion, expression of mHsp70 on the plasma membrane of tumor cells corresponds to the highly invasive potential of the GBM cells and recurrence of these tumors in neuro-oncological patients. This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement № 075-15-2020-901). Citation Format: Maxim Shevtsov, Ruslana Tagaeva, Natalia Yudintceva, Danila Bobkov, Darya Goncharova, Alexander Kim, Evgeniy Fedorov, Anastasia Nechaeva, Anastasia Mihrina, Anna Patruhina, Vyacheslav Fedorov, Konstantin Samochernykh. Membrane-associated heat shock protein mHsp70 is involved in cancer cell invasion and tumor recurrence in malignant brain tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 504.

Abstract 5068: Functionalized superparamagnetic nanoparticles for theranostics of membrane-bound Hsp70 positive malignant brain tumors

Abstract Biomedical nanotechnologies based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) represent a promising instrument for malignant brain tumor theranostics. Due to their unique physico-chemical properties, they can be used for multimodal cancer therapy (including hyperthermia), diagnostics, and targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules. To enhance the tumor-homing properties of nanoparticles the latter were conjugated with bioligands (i.e., monoclonal antibodies, Fab-fragments, peptides, and proteins such serine protease granzyme B) that recognize 72 kDa membrane-bound heat shock protein (mHsp70) that is expressed on the plasma membrane of tumor cells, including multiforme glioblastoma (GBM), but not on normal corresponding cells. Therapeutic potential of magnetic conjugates can be attenuated by binding to the particles surface of granzyme B (GrB-SPIONs) that exerts pro-apoptotic activity. Functionalized particles significantly contrast-enhanced the orthotopic glioblastoma (U87 glioma in NMRI nu/nu mice, GL261 glioma in C57/Bl6 mice) in preclinical animal models when high-field (11 ) magnetic resonance tomography (Bruker) was employed. Furthermore, when GrB-SPIONs were applied, we detected a statistically significant delay of tumor progression and increase of overall animal survival. Anti-tumor activity of GrB-SPIONs was further synergistically potentiated by stereotactic radiotherapy combined with immune check-point inhibitors (i.e., CTLA-4). In conclusion, synthesized superparamagnetic nanoparticles targeting mHsp70-positive could be employed for theranostics of malignant brain tumors and translated into further clinical trials.This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement № 075-15-2020-901). Citation Format: Ruslana Tagaeva, Vyacheslav Fedorov, Natalia Yudintceva, Luidmila Yakovleva, Boris Nikolaev, Veronica Osnach, Maxim Shevtsov. Functionalized superparamagnetic nanoparticles for theranostics of membrane-bound Hsp70 positive malignant brain tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5068.

How Lipids Regulate the Cell Surface Localization of HSPA1A, a Stress‐inducible 70‐kDa Heat Shock Protein

HSPA1A is a molecular chaperone that regulates survival stressed and cancer cells. In addition to its cytosolic pro‐survival functions, HSPA1A also localizes at the plasma membrane (PM) of stressed and tumor cells. In cancer cells, the presence of HSPA1A at the cell surface allows the latter cells to develop resistance to radiation therapy, show increased invasiveness, and develop distant metastasis. Therefore, abolishing HSPA1A from the surface of tumor cells is a promising therapeutic. However, HSPA1A’s pathway to the cell surface remains enigmatic because this protein lacks membrane localization signals. Considering that HSPA1A binds with high selectivity to negatively charged lipids, like phosphatidylserine (PS) and mono‐phosphorylated phosphoinositides (PIPs), we hypothesized that the interaction of HSPA1A with these lipids allows the chaperone to translocate and anchor to the PM. To test this hypothesis, we subjected human cell lines to heat shock, depleted specific lipid targets, and quantified HSPA1A’s PM localization using confocal microscopy and cell surface biotinylation. These experiments revealed that depletion of PS, PI(4)P, and PI(3)P by co‐transfecting HSPA1A with known lipid‐biosensors, significantly reduced HSPA1A’s surface presentation. In contrast, reducing PI(4,5)P2 availability by overexpression of the PLCδ‐PH biosensor had minimal effects on HSPA1A’s PM‐localization. Next, we manipulated the cellular lipid content using ionomycin (a PLC activator), phenylarsine oxide (PAO) and GSK‐A1 (general and a selective PI4‐Kinase inhibitors, respectively), wortmannin (a PI3‐Kinase inhibitor), and fendiline (a repurposed FDA approved drug that reduces PS) using lipid‐biosensors as positive and negative controls. These experiments revealed that HSPA1A’s PM localization was unaffected by ionomycin but was greatly reduced in the presence of PAO, GSK‐A1, wortmannin, and fendiline, corroborating the findings obtained by the co‐transfection experiments. We further verified these results by selectively depleting PI(4,5)P2 and PI(4)P using a well‐established rapamycin‐induced phosphatase system. Our findings strongly support the notion that HSPA1A’s surface presentation is a multifaceted lipid‐driven phenomenon controlled by the binding of the chaperone to specific endosomal and plasma membrane lipids. These findings provide the basis for future interventions to render tumor cells sensitive to radiation therapy.

Characterization of the Peri-Membrane Fluorescence Phenomenon Allowing the Detection of Urothelial Tumor Cells in Urine.

Simple SummaryTo detect bladder cancer (BC), urinary cytology and cystoscopy are the primary diagnostic tests used. Urine cytology is non-invasive, easy to collect, with medium sensitivity and high specificity. It is an effective way to detect high-grade BC, but it is less effective on low-grade BC because the rate of equivocal results is much higher, making them difficult to detect. Despite the implementation of new diagnostics, urinary cytology and cystoscopy remain the gold standard. Instead of looking for new diagnostics, one of the new research areas is the improvement of urinary cytology. Recently, the fluorescent properties of plasma membranes of urothelial tumor cells, called peri-membrane fluorescence, found in urinary cytology have been shown to be useful in improving the early detection of BC. The main objective of this study was to characterize the peri-membrane fluorescence allowing the detection of urothelial tumor cells in urine.Urine cytology is non-invasive, easy to collect, with medium sensitivity and a high specificity. It is an effective way to detect high-grade bladder cancer (BC), but it is less effective on low-grade BC because the rate of equivocal results is much higher. Recently, the fluorescent properties of plasma membranes of urothelial tumor cells (UTC) found in urine cytology have been shown to be useful in improving the early detection of BC. This phenomenon is called peri-membrane fluorescence (PMF). Based on previous studies that have identified the PMF on UTCs, the main objective was to characterize this phenomenon. For this study, a software was specially created to quantify the PMF of all tested cells and different treatments performed. PMF was not found to be a morphological and discriminating feature of UTCs, all cells in shape and not from urine show PMF. We were able to highlight the crucial role of plasma membrane integrity in the maintenance of PMF. Finally, it was found that the induction of a strong cellular stress induced a decrease in PMF, mimicking what was observed in non-tumor cells collected from urine. These results suggest that PMF is found in cells able to resist this stress, such as tumor cells.

Cancer cell membrane-derived nanoparticles block the expression of immune checkpoint proteins on cancer cells and coordinate modulatory activity on immunosuppressive macrophages.

Cancer is the most recurrent chronic disease in the world, with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the second leading cause of death among neoplasias. The high frequency of HCC relapse and metastasis warrants the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In advanced stages, neoplastic cells can evade immune surveillance and express immunosuppressive proteins and cytokines at tumor sites. Nanocomposites conjugated with immunomodulatory agents can increase the main mechanisms of cellular immunity. In this study, we used nanocarriers to transport oligonucleotide sequences (siRNAs) into cancer cells and leukocytes to modulate the activity of tumor microenvironment cells in vitro. Cell membrane-derived nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized with lipids and proteins from the plasma membrane of hepatic tumor cells to deliver a large amount of antigenic material to professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), following their exposure to HCC and immunosuppressive macrophages. To establish a pro-inflammatory response, pure lipid MNPs were incorporated with monophosphoryl lipid A and siRNA to silence the c-MYC (myelocytomatosis) oncogene. Nanocarriers were tested for the following: (a) NP internalization into cancer and immunocompetent cells; (b) immunomodulatory activity by observing the expression of cell surface markers; and (c) in vitro cytotoxicity. The adsorption of plasma proteins on the MNPs surface and their effects on cellular uptake were also investigated. Our results indicate that the nanostructures are stable in biological suspensions, and can reduce CD47 and PD-L1 expression on cancer cells and simultaneously switch APC activity for an anti-tumor response.

Clinical Applications and the Roles of Transporters in Disposition, Tumor Targeting, and Tissue Toxicity of meta-Iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG).

Transporters on the plasma membrane of tumor cells are promising molecular "Trojan horses" to deliver drugs and imaging agents into cancer cells. Radioiodine-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) is used as a diagnostic agent (123I-mIBG) and a targeted radiotherapy (131I-mIBG) for neuroendocrine cancers. mIBG enters cancer cells through the norepinephrine transporter (NET) where the radioactive decay of 131I causes DNA damage, cell death, and tumor necrosis. mIBG is predominantly eliminated unchanged by the kidney. Despite its selective uptake by neuroendocrine tumors, mIBG accumulates in several normal tissues and leads to tissue-specific radiation toxicities. Emerging evidences suggest that the polyspecific organic cation transporters play important roles in systemic disposition and tissue-specific uptake of mIBG. In particular, human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2) and toxin extrusion proteins 1 and 2-K (hMATE1/2-K) likely mediate renal secretion of mIBG whereas hOCT1 and hOCT3 may contribute to mIBG uptake into normal tissues such as the liver, salivary glands, and heart. This mini-review focuses on the clinical applications of mIBG in neuroendocrine cancers and the differential roles of NET, OCT and MATE transporters in mIBG disposition, response and toxicity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing mIBG transport in cancer and normal cells is a critical step for developing strategies to optimize the efficacy of 131I-mIBG while minimizing toxicity in normal tissues. Significance Statement Radiolabeled mIBG has been used as a diagnostic tool and as radiotherapy for neuroendocrine cancers and other diseases. NET, OCT and MATE transporters play differential roles in mIBG tumor targeting, systemic elimination, and accumulation in normal tissues. The clinical use of mIBG as a radiopharmaceutical in cancer diagnosis and treatment can be further improved by taking a holistic approach considering mIBG transporters in both cancer and normal tissues.

Wild type, dEX3 and 2B survivin isoforms localize to the tumor cell plasma membrane, are secreted in exosomes, and interact with extracellular tubulin

The Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein survivin (svn) is upregulated in nearly all types of cancer and represents a promising therapeutic target. Localization to specific subcellular compartments and interactions with various binding partners allow survivin to play diverse roles in apoptosis resistance and mitosis. Survivin has recently been found in two extracellular compartments: the outer plasma membrane and secreted exosomes. In addition to svn-wt, splice variants svn-dEX3 and svn-2B are also overexpressed in human tumors. Here we show that, similarly to svn-wt, svn-dEX3 and svn-2B can be displayed on the outer plasma membrane, and secreted in exosomes. Additionally, we have identified a novel interaction of all three forms of survivin with secreted tubulin.

The Role of Extracellular HSP70 in the Function of Tumor-Associated Immune Cells

Simple SummaryThe intracellular heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is essential for cells to respond to stress, for instance, by refolding damaged proteins or inhibiting apoptosis. However, in cancer, HSP70 is overexpressed and can translocate to the extracellular milieu, where it emerged as an important modulator of tumor-associated immune cells. By targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) through different mechanisms, extracellular HSP70 can trigger pro- or anti-tumorigenic responses. Therefore, understanding the pathways and their consequences is crucial for therapeutically targeting cancer and its surrounding microenvironment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the translocation of extracellular HSP70. We further elucidate its functions within the TME and provide an overview of potential therapeutic options.Extracellular vesicles released by tumor cells (T-EVs) are known to contain danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which are released in response to cellular stress to alert the immune system to the dangerous cell. Part of this defense mechanism is the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and HSP70-positive T-EVs are known to trigger anti-tumor immune responses. Moreover, extracellular HSP70 acts as an immunogen that contributes to the cross-presentation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. However, the release of DAMPs, including HSP70, may also induce chronic inflammation or suppress immune cell activity, promoting tumor growth. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on soluble, membrane-bound, and EV-associated HSP70 regarding their functions in regulating tumor-associated immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The molecular mechanisms involved in the translocation of HSP70 to the plasma membrane of tumor cells and its release via exosomes or soluble proteins are summarized. Furthermore, perspectives for immunotherapies aimed to target HSP70 and its receptors for cancer treatment are discussed and presented.