Cancer-associated fibroblast

CAFs produce a number of proteins that are specific to the origin of the cells. However, as there are no specific protein to CAFs, a combination of these proteins are then used as markers to identify CAFs In 2017 Swedish researchers tried to classify molecularly distinct fibroblasts into groups depending on their differential expression of markers. They found overlapping expression patterns which supported the idea that there are transitional states and even identified pluripotency in some patients’ activated fibroblasts (suggesting progenitor cells). Pleotropic functions (e.g. tumour-promoting and tumour-inhibiting) require cell plasticity. While there are positive markers for CAFs, there are also negative markers namely; cytokeratin and CD3, as CAFS do not have epithelial and endothelial characteristics. == Potential origin ==

The origins of CAF differ depending on the tumour histotype and where the tumour originated in the first place but can be broadly separated into 4 categories. The origin of each type of CAF has a role in determining the function of that specific cell. Resident These CAFs arise from fibroblasts within the vicinity of the tumour that have been recruited by cancer derived growth factor. This process is similar to active inflammation with the main difference between these two processes being that, in cancer, the fibroblasts can't be deactivated which has led to tumours being referred to as “wounds that do not heal.” It is believed that most CAFs arise from differentiated resident fibroblast cells. The normal fibroblast cells receive a hormone signal from nearby cancer cells, indicating that it must become activated, and is thus classed as a CAF. It is unclear why normal fibroblasts transition into CAFs but it has been found that by adding transforming growth factor-β to fibroblasts in culture they start to display features of CAFs. TGF-β is known to control the activation of fibroblasts in inflammation. Recruitment from other sites CAFs can also be recruited from a remote source, such as the bone marrow. For example, fibroblasts recruited from the bone marrow were found in breast cancer. Differentiation CAFs can also be derived from differentiation of other cell types such as mesenchymal stem cells, which was proved in murine models with cancers such as glioma, breast, pancreatic and gastric cancers. Less common origin of CAFs is by differentiation of other tumor adjacent cells such as epithelial or endothelial cells, adipocytes, pericytes and smooth muscle cells. It has been suggested that CAFs are better conceptualised as a “cell state” == Roles in cancer ==

Prognosis In general, the presence and density of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) point towards a bad prognosis for the patient, and so, are pro-tumour. These could however be used as markers for diagnosis and therapies, thus diagnosing at an earlier stage. The presence of podoplanin in CAFs has been found to play a fundamental role in worsening the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma; this could however be helpful as a marker to diagnose at an early stage. In oesophageal adenocarcinomas, CAFs release the ECM (Extracellular Matrix) protein periostin and promote tumour cell growth through paracrine signalling. However, blocking specific integrin receptors and pathways can ceases the invasion of tumor cells. The greater the density of CAFs found in oral cancer, the poorer the prognosis, as this significantly decreases the 5 year survival rate. Being female in this study also proved to be a bigger risk factor, with men being protected more against the effects. Effect on Tumour Cells Cancer-associated fibroblasts negatively influence the outcome of oncological diseases. These cells create a stromal niche for cancer cells and especially cancer stem cells, where they employ both paracrine and direct cell-contact to maintain stemness in cancer stem cells. In turn, this enables these cancer stem cells to escape chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while the cancer-associated fibroblasts also create an environment that allows cancer cells to escape the action anti-tumour immunity. In turn, this promotes the cancer process through tumour growth and also fosters angiogenesis, metastasis and immune evasion. CAF express various cytokines and factors, which activate and contribute to pathways favouring tumorigenesis. They may disrupt normal cell functions, such as cell cycle regulation and cell death, or signal to specific types of cells to mobilize and activate their pro-tumour actions. Furthermore, it has been found that the effect of CAF on neoplastic cells is unique to the type of tumour cells. Cytokine release from CAFs have been linked to breast carcinomas through the metabolism and production of androgen synthesis enzymes. Furthermore, on the topic of the progression of breast cancer, CAFs induces the release growth factors such as FGF and HGF which in turn induces the hyperproliferation of epithelial cells of the breast. EMT and ECM reorganisation are further mechanisms by which the CAFs induce cancer. FSP1, which is secreted by CAFs, promotes tumours through another method - by altering the tumour microenvironment (TME). Some CAFs also recycle the by-products of anaerobic metabolism by resorting to other metabolic pathways to sustain the growth of cancer cells. Effect on the immune microenvironment CAFs can produce cytokine TGF-β which has inhibitory effect on T cells, macrophages and neutrophils thus they are not able to promote immune response against the tumor. CAFs have inhibitory effects on NK cells by releasing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In hepatocellular carcinoma besides PGE2, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is suppressing NK cells. Metastasis CAF have been found to promote tumour metastasis in numerous ways. Firstly, they may alter gene expression and have been found to upregulate specific genes involved in pro-tumorigenic pathways including heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). They can also interfere with the function of tumour suppressor genes, such as Tumour protein p53, leading to higher rates of cell proliferation due to the loss of control of the cell cycle. Additionally, CAF have the ability to break down proteins in the extracellular matrix and basement membranes leading to disruption to the normal structure allowing cells to move away from their primary region. The group of proteins known as the matrix metalloproteinases are key to this process. CAF also direct the movement of neoplastic cells by using the Rho-dependent signaling pathway to create tracks for these cells in the matrix. Chemoresistance In some cases, the characteristics of CAF provide therapeutic resistance. Soluble factor resistance occurs when CAF either directly secrete signals (cytokines or growth factors) or influence the cells around them to give off similar signals, which reduce the efficacy of therapeutic drugs. For instance, this can either be done by an increased secretion of antiapoptotic factors or by altering the cell environment (e.g. pH) to counteract the actions of the drug. Another form is cell adhesion- mediated drug resistance. This involves the tight attachment of neoplastic cells to the extracellular matrix or stromal cells. For example, secretion of TGF-beta allows cancerous cells to bind more successfully to the extracellular matrix thus evading the action of some cancer drugs. == References ==