Yuanyan Wei1, Danfang Shi2, Ziwei Liang2, Yuming Liu3, Yinan Li2, Yang Xing2, Weitao Liu2, Zhilong Ai4, Jianhui Zhuang5, Xiaoning Chen2, Qiang Gao3, Jianhai Jiang6. 1. NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugates Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: yywei@fudan.edu.cn. 2. NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugates Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China. 3. Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China. 4. Department of Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China. 5. Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China. 6. NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugates Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: jianhaijiang@fudan.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The microenvironment regulates hepatoma stem cell behavior. However, the contributions of lymphatic endothelial cells to the hepatoma stem cell niche remain largely unknown; we aimed to analyze this contribution and elucidate the mechanisms behind it. METHODS: Associations between lymphatic endothelial cells and CD133+ hepatoma stem cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence and adhesion assays; with the effects of their association on IL-17A expression examined using western blot, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and luciferase reporter assay. The effects of IL-17A on the self-renewal and tumorigenesis of hepatoma stem cells were examined using sphere and tumor formation assays. The role of IL-17A in immune escape by hepatoma stem cells was examined using flow cytometry. The expression of IL-17A in hepatoma tissues was examined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CD133+ hepatoma stem cells preferentially interact with lymphatic endothelial cells. The interaction between the mannose receptor and high-mannose type N-glycans mediates the interaction between CD133+ hepatoma stem cells and lymphatic endothelial cells. This interaction activates cytokine IL-17A expression in lymphatic endothelial cells. IL-17A promotes the self-renewal of hepatoma stem cells. It also promotes their immune escape, partly through upregulation of PD-L1. CONCLUSION: Interactions between lymphatic endothelial cells and hepatoma stem cells promote the self-renewal and immune escape of hepatoma stem cells, by activating IL-17A signaling. Thus, inhibiting IL-17A signaling may be a promising approach for hepatoma treatment. LAY SUMMARY: The microenvironment is crucial for the self-renewal and development of hepatoma stem cells, which lead to the development of liver cancer. Lymphatic endothelial cells are an important component of this niche microenvironment, helping hepatoma stem cells to self-renew and escape immune attack, by upregulating IL-17A signaling. Thus, targeting IL-17A signaling is a potential strategy for the treatment of hepatoma.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The microenvironment regulates hepatoma stem cell behavior. However, the contributions of lymphatic endothelial cells to the hepatoma stem cell niche remain largely unknown; we aimed to analyze this contribution and elucidate the mechanisms behind it. METHODS: Associations between lymphatic endothelial cells and CD133+ hepatoma stem cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence and adhesion assays; with the effects of their association on IL-17A expression examined using western blot, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and luciferase reporter assay. The effects of IL-17A on the self-renewal and tumorigenesis of hepatoma stem cells were examined using sphere and tumor formation assays. The role of IL-17A in immune escape by hepatoma stem cells was examined using flow cytometry. The expression of IL-17A in hepatoma tissues was examined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CD133+ hepatoma stem cells preferentially interact with lymphatic endothelial cells. The interaction between the mannose receptor and high-mannose type N-glycans mediates the interaction between CD133+ hepatoma stem cells and lymphatic endothelial cells. This interaction activates cytokine IL-17A expression in lymphatic endothelial cells. IL-17A promotes the self-renewal of hepatoma stem cells. It also promotes their immune escape, partly through upregulation of PD-L1. CONCLUSION: Interactions between lymphatic endothelial cells and hepatoma stem cells promote the self-renewal and immune escape of hepatoma stem cells, by activating IL-17A signaling. Thus, inhibiting IL-17A signaling may be a promising approach for hepatoma treatment. LAY SUMMARY: The microenvironment is crucial for the self-renewal and development of hepatoma stem cells, which lead to the development of liver cancer. Lymphatic endothelial cells are an important component of this niche microenvironment, helping hepatoma stem cells to self-renew and escape immune attack, by upregulating IL-17A signaling. Thus, targeting IL-17A signaling is a potential strategy for the treatment of hepatoma.
Authors: Wenting Du; Rosa E Menjivar; Katelyn L Donahue; Padma Kadiyala; Ashley Velez-Delgado; Kristee L Brown; Hannah R Watkoske; Xi He; Eileen S Carpenter; Christina V Angeles; Yaqing Zhang; Marina Pasca di Magliano Journal: J Exp Med Date: 2022-10-14 Impact factor: 17.579