Extracellular matrix composition modulates PDAC parenchymal and stem cell plasticity and behavior through the secretome. (27th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biondani, Giulia; Zeeberg, Katrine; Greco, Maria Raffaella; Cannone, Stefania; Dando, Ilaria; Dalla Pozza, Elisa; Mastrodonato, Maria; Forciniti, Stefania; Casavola, Valeria; Palmieri, Marta; Reshkin, Stephan Joel; Cardone, Rosa Angela
• Is Part Of: FEBS journal. Volume 285:Number 11(2018)
• Page Start: 2104
• Page End: 2124
• Publication Date: 2018-04-27
• Subjects: 3D organotypic cultures -- cancer stem cells -- desmoplastic reaction -- pancreatic adenocarcinoma -- vasculogenic mimicry -- VEFGR‐2; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1111/febs.14471
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-464X

Abstract

Abstract : Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers. Its aggressiveness is driven by an intense fibrotic desmoplastic reaction in which the increasingly collagen I‐rich extracellular matrix (ECM) and several cell types, including cancer stem cells (CSCs), create a tumor‐supportive environment. However, how ECM composition regulates CSC dynamics and their relationship with the principle parenchymal tumor population to promote early invasive growth is not yet characterized. For this, we utilized a platform of 3D organotypic cultures composed of laminin‐rich Matrigel, representative of an early tumor, plus increasing concentrations of collagen I to simulate malignant stroma progression. As ECM collagen I increases, CSCs progress from a rapidly growing, vascular phenotype to a slower growing, avascular phase, while maintaining their endothelial‐like gene signatures. This transition is supported autocrinically by the CSCs and paracrinically by the parenchymal cells via their ECM‐dependent secretomes. Indeed, when growing on an early tumor ECM, the CSCs are dedicated toward the preparation of a vascular niche by (a) activating their growth program, (b) secreting high levels of proangiogenic factors which stimulate both angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry, and (c) overexpressing VEGFR‐2, which is activated by VEGF secreted by both the CSC and parenchymal cells. On Matrigel, the more differentiated parenchymal tumor cell population had reduced growth but a high invasive capacity. This concerted high local invasion of parenchymal cells into the CSC‐derived vascular network suggests that a symbiotic relationship between the parenchymal cells and the CSCs underlies the initiation and maintenance of early PDAC infiltration and metastasis. Abstract : Matrigel stimulates CSC growth and vasculogenic mimicry via autocrinic and paracrinic mechanism mediated by the proangiogenic secretome while increasing parenchymal cell invasion. In this way, parenchymal cells and CSCs interact to contribute to the vascular and invasive phenotype of the early‐stage tumor. Increased ECM Collagen I restricts the growth of both cell lines via autocrine loops.