Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages

Chiara Raggi; Margherita Correnti; Antonio Sica; Jesper B Andersen; Vincenzo Cardinale; Domenico Alvaro; Giovanna Chiorino; Elisa Forti; Shannon Glaser; Gianfranco Alpini; Annarita Destro; Francesca Sozio; Luca Di Tommaso; Massimo Roncalli; Jesus M Banales; Cédric Coulouarn; Luis Bujanda; Guido Torzilli; Pietro Invernizzi

doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012

Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages

Chiara Raggi, Margherita Correnti, Antonio Sica, Jesper B Andersen, Vincenzo Cardinale, Domenico Alvaro, Giovanna Chiorino, Elisa Forti, Shannon Glaser, Gianfranco Alpini, Annarita Destro, Francesca Sozio, Luca Di Tommaso, Massimo Roncalli, Jesus M Banales, Cédric Coulouarn, Luis Bujanda, Guido Torzilli, Pietro Invernizzi

67 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background & Aims A therapeutically challenging subset of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) clinical severity. Presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has prognostic significance in CCA and other malignancies. Thus, we hypothesized that CSCs may actively shape their tumor-supportive immune niche. Methods CCA cells were cultured in 3D conditions to generate spheres. CCA sphere analysis of in vivo tumorigenic-engraftment in immune-deficient mice and molecular characterization was performed. The in vitro and in vivo effect of CCA spheres on macrophage precursors was tested after culturing healthy donor cluster of differentiation (CD)14⁺ with CCA-sphere conditioned medium. Results CCA spheres engrafted in 100% of transplanted mice and revealed a significant 20.3-fold increase in tumor-initiating fraction (p = 0.0011) and a sustained tumorigenic potential through diverse xenograft-generations. Moreover, CCA spheres were highly enriched for CSC, liver cancer and embryonic stem cell markers both at gene and protein levels. Next, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that in the presence of CCA sphere conditioned medium, CD14⁺ macrophages expressed key markers (CD68, CD115, human leukocyte antigen-D related, CD206) indicating that CCA sphere conditioned medium was a strong macrophage-activator. Gene expression profile of CCA sphere activated macrophages revealed unique molecular TAM-like features confirmed by high invasion capacity. Also, freshly isolated macrophages from CCA resections recapitulated a similar molecular phenotype of in vitro-educated macrophages. Consistent with invasive features, the largest CD163⁺ set was found in the tumor front of human CCA specimens (n = 23) and correlated with a high level of serum cancer antigen 19.9 (n = 17). Among mediators released by CCA spheres, only interleukin (IL)13, IL34 and osteoactivin were detected and further confirmed in CCA patient sera (n = 12). Surprisingly, a significant association of IL13, IL34 and osteoactivin with sphere stem-like genes was provided by a CCA database (n = 104). In vitro combination of IL13, IL34, osteoactivin was responsible for macrophage-differentiation and invasion, as well as for in vivo tumor-promoting effect. Conclusion CCA-CSCs molded a specific subset of stem-like associated macrophages thus providing a rationale for a synergistic therapeutic strategy for CCA-disease. Lay summary Immune plasticity represents an important hallmark of tumor outcome. Since cancer stem cells are able to manipulate stromal cells to their needs, a better definition of the key dysregulated immune subtypes responsible for cooperating in supporting tumor initiation may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Considering that human cholangiocarcinoma represents a clinical emergency, it is essential to move to predictive models in order to understand the adaptive process of macrophage component (imprinting, polarization and maintenance) engaged by tumor stem-like compartment.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Hepatology
Volume	66
Issue number	1
Pages (from-to)	102–115
ISSN	0168-8278
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2017

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012

http://europepmc.org/articles/pmc5522599?pdf=renderLicence: Other

Cite this

Raggi, C., Correnti, M., Sica, A., Andersen, J. B., Cardinale, V., Alvaro, D., Chiorino, G., Forti, E., Glaser, S., Alpini, G., Destro, A., Sozio, F., Di Tommaso, L., Roncalli, M., Banales, J. M., Coulouarn, C., Bujanda, L., Torzilli, G., & Invernizzi, P. (2017). Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages. Journal of Hepatology, 66(1), 102–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012

Raggi, C, Correnti, M, Sica, A, Andersen, JB, Cardinale, V, Alvaro, D, Chiorino, G, Forti, E, Glaser, S, Alpini, G, Destro, A, Sozio, F, Di Tommaso, L, Roncalli, M, Banales, JM, Coulouarn, C, Bujanda, L, Torzilli, G & Invernizzi, P 2017, 'Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages', Journal of Hepatology, vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 102–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012

@article{702f5e74eb1941fcbad5becaeb05f666,

title = "Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages",

abstract = "Background & Aims A therapeutically challenging subset of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) clinical severity. Presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has prognostic significance in CCA and other malignancies. Thus, we hypothesized that CSCs may actively shape their tumor-supportive immune niche. Methods CCA cells were cultured in 3D conditions to generate spheres. CCA sphere analysis of in vivo tumorigenic-engraftment in immune-deficient mice and molecular characterization was performed. The in vitro and in vivo effect of CCA spheres on macrophage precursors was tested after culturing healthy donor cluster of differentiation (CD)14+ with CCA-sphere conditioned medium. Results CCA spheres engrafted in 100% of transplanted mice and revealed a significant 20.3-fold increase in tumor-initiating fraction (p = 0.0011) and a sustained tumorigenic potential through diverse xenograft-generations. Moreover, CCA spheres were highly enriched for CSC, liver cancer and embryonic stem cell markers both at gene and protein levels. Next, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that in the presence of CCA sphere conditioned medium, CD14+ macrophages expressed key markers (CD68, CD115, human leukocyte antigen-D related, CD206) indicating that CCA sphere conditioned medium was a strong macrophage-activator. Gene expression profile of CCA sphere activated macrophages revealed unique molecular TAM-like features confirmed by high invasion capacity. Also, freshly isolated macrophages from CCA resections recapitulated a similar molecular phenotype of in vitro-educated macrophages. Consistent with invasive features, the largest CD163+ set was found in the tumor front of human CCA specimens (n = 23) and correlated with a high level of serum cancer antigen 19.9 (n = 17). Among mediators released by CCA spheres, only interleukin (IL)13, IL34 and osteoactivin were detected and further confirmed in CCA patient sera (n = 12). Surprisingly, a significant association of IL13, IL34 and osteoactivin with sphere stem-like genes was provided by a CCA database (n = 104). In vitro combination of IL13, IL34, osteoactivin was responsible for macrophage-differentiation and invasion, as well as for in vivo tumor-promoting effect. Conclusion CCA-CSCs molded a specific subset of stem-like associated macrophages thus providing a rationale for a synergistic therapeutic strategy for CCA-disease. Lay summary Immune plasticity represents an important hallmark of tumor outcome. Since cancer stem cells are able to manipulate stromal cells to their needs, a better definition of the key dysregulated immune subtypes responsible for cooperating in supporting tumor initiation may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Considering that human cholangiocarcinoma represents a clinical emergency, it is essential to move to predictive models in order to understand the adaptive process of macrophage component (imprinting, polarization and maintenance) engaged by tumor stem-like compartment.",

author = "Chiara Raggi and Margherita Correnti and Antonio Sica and Andersen, {Jesper B} and Vincenzo Cardinale and Domenico Alvaro and Giovanna Chiorino and Elisa Forti and Shannon Glaser and Gianfranco Alpini and Annarita Destro and Francesca Sozio and {Di Tommaso}, Luca and Massimo Roncalli and Banales, {Jesus M} and C{\'e}dric Coulouarn and Luis Bujanda and Guido Torzilli and Pietro Invernizzi",

year = "2017",

month = jan,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012",

language = "English",

volume = "66",

pages = "102–115",

journal = "Journal of Hepatology",

issn = "0168-8278",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "1",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages

AU - Raggi, Chiara

AU - Correnti, Margherita

AU - Sica, Antonio

AU - Andersen, Jesper B

AU - Cardinale, Vincenzo

AU - Alvaro, Domenico

AU - Chiorino, Giovanna

AU - Forti, Elisa

AU - Glaser, Shannon

AU - Alpini, Gianfranco

AU - Destro, Annarita

AU - Sozio, Francesca

AU - Di Tommaso, Luca

AU - Roncalli, Massimo

AU - Banales, Jesus M

AU - Coulouarn, Cédric

AU - Bujanda, Luis

AU - Torzilli, Guido

AU - Invernizzi, Pietro

PY - 2017/1/1

Y1 - 2017/1/1

N2 - Background & Aims A therapeutically challenging subset of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) clinical severity. Presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has prognostic significance in CCA and other malignancies. Thus, we hypothesized that CSCs may actively shape their tumor-supportive immune niche. Methods CCA cells were cultured in 3D conditions to generate spheres. CCA sphere analysis of in vivo tumorigenic-engraftment in immune-deficient mice and molecular characterization was performed. The in vitro and in vivo effect of CCA spheres on macrophage precursors was tested after culturing healthy donor cluster of differentiation (CD)14+ with CCA-sphere conditioned medium. Results CCA spheres engrafted in 100% of transplanted mice and revealed a significant 20.3-fold increase in tumor-initiating fraction (p = 0.0011) and a sustained tumorigenic potential through diverse xenograft-generations. Moreover, CCA spheres were highly enriched for CSC, liver cancer and embryonic stem cell markers both at gene and protein levels. Next, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that in the presence of CCA sphere conditioned medium, CD14+ macrophages expressed key markers (CD68, CD115, human leukocyte antigen-D related, CD206) indicating that CCA sphere conditioned medium was a strong macrophage-activator. Gene expression profile of CCA sphere activated macrophages revealed unique molecular TAM-like features confirmed by high invasion capacity. Also, freshly isolated macrophages from CCA resections recapitulated a similar molecular phenotype of in vitro-educated macrophages. Consistent with invasive features, the largest CD163+ set was found in the tumor front of human CCA specimens (n = 23) and correlated with a high level of serum cancer antigen 19.9 (n = 17). Among mediators released by CCA spheres, only interleukin (IL)13, IL34 and osteoactivin were detected and further confirmed in CCA patient sera (n = 12). Surprisingly, a significant association of IL13, IL34 and osteoactivin with sphere stem-like genes was provided by a CCA database (n = 104). In vitro combination of IL13, IL34, osteoactivin was responsible for macrophage-differentiation and invasion, as well as for in vivo tumor-promoting effect. Conclusion CCA-CSCs molded a specific subset of stem-like associated macrophages thus providing a rationale for a synergistic therapeutic strategy for CCA-disease. Lay summary Immune plasticity represents an important hallmark of tumor outcome. Since cancer stem cells are able to manipulate stromal cells to their needs, a better definition of the key dysregulated immune subtypes responsible for cooperating in supporting tumor initiation may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Considering that human cholangiocarcinoma represents a clinical emergency, it is essential to move to predictive models in order to understand the adaptive process of macrophage component (imprinting, polarization and maintenance) engaged by tumor stem-like compartment.

AB - Background & Aims A therapeutically challenging subset of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) clinical severity. Presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has prognostic significance in CCA and other malignancies. Thus, we hypothesized that CSCs may actively shape their tumor-supportive immune niche. Methods CCA cells were cultured in 3D conditions to generate spheres. CCA sphere analysis of in vivo tumorigenic-engraftment in immune-deficient mice and molecular characterization was performed. The in vitro and in vivo effect of CCA spheres on macrophage precursors was tested after culturing healthy donor cluster of differentiation (CD)14+ with CCA-sphere conditioned medium. Results CCA spheres engrafted in 100% of transplanted mice and revealed a significant 20.3-fold increase in tumor-initiating fraction (p = 0.0011) and a sustained tumorigenic potential through diverse xenograft-generations. Moreover, CCA spheres were highly enriched for CSC, liver cancer and embryonic stem cell markers both at gene and protein levels. Next, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that in the presence of CCA sphere conditioned medium, CD14+ macrophages expressed key markers (CD68, CD115, human leukocyte antigen-D related, CD206) indicating that CCA sphere conditioned medium was a strong macrophage-activator. Gene expression profile of CCA sphere activated macrophages revealed unique molecular TAM-like features confirmed by high invasion capacity. Also, freshly isolated macrophages from CCA resections recapitulated a similar molecular phenotype of in vitro-educated macrophages. Consistent with invasive features, the largest CD163+ set was found in the tumor front of human CCA specimens (n = 23) and correlated with a high level of serum cancer antigen 19.9 (n = 17). Among mediators released by CCA spheres, only interleukin (IL)13, IL34 and osteoactivin were detected and further confirmed in CCA patient sera (n = 12). Surprisingly, a significant association of IL13, IL34 and osteoactivin with sphere stem-like genes was provided by a CCA database (n = 104). In vitro combination of IL13, IL34, osteoactivin was responsible for macrophage-differentiation and invasion, as well as for in vivo tumor-promoting effect. Conclusion CCA-CSCs molded a specific subset of stem-like associated macrophages thus providing a rationale for a synergistic therapeutic strategy for CCA-disease. Lay summary Immune plasticity represents an important hallmark of tumor outcome. Since cancer stem cells are able to manipulate stromal cells to their needs, a better definition of the key dysregulated immune subtypes responsible for cooperating in supporting tumor initiation may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Considering that human cholangiocarcinoma represents a clinical emergency, it is essential to move to predictive models in order to understand the adaptive process of macrophage component (imprinting, polarization and maintenance) engaged by tumor stem-like compartment.

U2 - 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012

DO - 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27593106

SN - 0168-8278

VL - 66

SP - 102

EP - 115

JO - Journal of Hepatology

JF - Journal of Hepatology

IS - 1

ER -

Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this