Journal Article

DKFZ-2022-01958

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma derives from liver progenitor cells and depends on senescence and IL6 trans-signaling.

Rosenberg, N. ; Van Haele, M. ; Lanton, T. ; Brashi, N. ; Bromberg, Z. ; Adler, H. ; Giladi, H. ; Peled, A. ; Goldenberg, D. S. ; Axelrod, J. H. ; Simerzin, A. ; Chai, C. ; Paldor, M. ; Markezana, A. ; Yaish, D. ; Shemulian, Z. ; Gross, D. ; Barnoy, S. ; Gefen, M. ; Amran, O. ; Claerhout, S. ; Fernández-Vaquero, M.DKFZ* ; García-Beccaria, M.DKFZ* ; Heide, D.DKFZ* ; Shoshkes-Carmel, M. ; Schmidt Arras, D. ; Elgavish, S. ; Nevo, Y. ; Benyamini, H. ; Tirnitz-Parker, J. E. E. ; Sanchez, A. ; Herrera, B. ; Safadi, R. ; Kaestner, K. H. ; Rose-John, S. ; Roskams, T. ; Heikenwalder, M. ; Galun, E.

2022
Wiley-Blackwell [S.l.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2022.07.029

Abstract: Primary liver cancers include: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and combined HCC-CCA tumors (cHCC-CCA). It has been suggested, but not unequivocally proven, that hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) can contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. We aimed to determine whether HPCs contribute to HCC, cHCC-CCA or both types of tumors.To trace progenitor cells during hepatocarcinogenesis, we generated Mdr2-KO mice that harbor an YFP reporter gene driven by the Foxl1 promoter which is expressed specifically in progenitor cells. These mice (Mdr2-KOFoxl1-CRE;RosaYFP) develop chronic inflammation and HCCs by the age of 14-16 months, followed by cHCC-CCA tumors at the age of 18 months, as we have first observed.In this Mdr2-KOFoxl1-CRE;RosaYFP mouse model, liver progenitor cells are the source of cHCC-CCA tumors, but not the source of HCC. Ablating the progenitors, caused reduction of cHCC-CCA tumors but did not affect HCCs. RNA-seq revealed enrichment of the IL6 signaling pathway in cHCC-CCA tumors compared to HCC tumors. ScRNA-seq analysis revealed that IL6 is expressed from immune and parenchymal cells in senescence, and that IL6 is part of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Administration of anti-IL6 Ab to Mdr2-KOFoxl1-CRE;RosaYFP mice, inhibited the development of cHCC-CCA tumors. By blocking IL6 trans-signaling, cHCC-CCA tumors decreased in number and size, indicating that cHCC-CCA is dependent on IL6 trans-signaling. Furthermore, the administration of a senolytic agent inhibited IL6 and the development of cHCC-CCA tumors.Our results demonstrate that cHCC-CCA, but not HCC tumors, originate from HPCs, and that IL6, which derives in part from cells in senescence, plays an important role in this process via IL6 trans-signaling. These findings could enhance new therapeutic approaches for cHCC-CCA liver cancer.Combined hepatocellular carcinoma - cholangiocarcinoma is the third prevalent liver cancer. We show that the source of this tumor is the liver tissue stem cells and that, this tumor type is dependent on an inflammatory signaling of IL6 and can be inhibited by blocking IL6 signaling or using a senolytic agent.

Keyword(s): Cancer stem cells ; Hepatocarcinogenesis ; Inflammation induced cancer ; Oval cells

Note: 2022 Dec;77(6):1631-1641 / #DKFZ-MOST-Ca197#

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Chronische Entzündung und Krebs (F180)

Research Program(s):

1. 316 - Infektionen, Entzündung und Krebs (POF4-316) (POF4-316)

Appears in the scientific report 2022

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 30 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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