The role of mesenchymal cells in cholangiocarcinoma

Sueca-Comes, Mireia; Rusu, Elena Cristina; Ashworth, Jennifer C.; Collier, Pamela; Probert, Catherine; Ritchie, Alison; Meakin, Marian; Mongan, Nigel P.; Egbuniwe, Isioma U.; Andersen, Jesper Bøje; Bates, David O.; Grabowska, Anna M.

Abstract

The tumour microenvironment (TME) significantly influences tumour formation and progression through dynamic interactions. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a highly desmoplastic tumour, lacks early diagnostic biomarkers and has limited effective treatments owing to incomplete understanding of its molecular pathogenesis. Investigating the role of the TME in CCA progression could lead to better therapies. RNA sequencing was performed on seven CCA patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and their corresponding patient samples. Differential expression analysis was conducted, and Qiagen Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used to predict dysregulated pathways and upstream regulators. PDX- and cell line-derived spheroids, with and without immortalised mesenchymal stem cells, were grown and analysed for morphology, growth and viability. Histological analysis confirmed biliary phenotypes. RNA sequencing indicated upregulation of extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and PI3K-AKT pathways in the presence of mesenchymal cells, with several genes linked to poor survival. Mesenchymal cells restored the activity of inhibited cancer-associated kinases. Thus, adding mesenchymal cells to CCA spheroid models restored key paracrine signalling pathways lost in PDXs, enhancing tumour growth and viability. These findings highlight the importance of including stromal components in cancer models to improve pre-clinical studies.

Citation

Sueca-Comes, M., Rusu, E. C., Ashworth, J. C., Collier, P., Probert, C., Ritchie, A., Meakin, M., Mongan, N. P., Egbuniwe, I. U., Andersen, J. B., Bates, D. O., & Grabowska, A. M. (2024). The role of mesenchymal cells in cholangiocarcinoma. Disease Models and Mechanisms, 17(12), Article dmm050716. https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.050716

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 17, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 4, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-12
• Deposit Date: Nov 15, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 19, 2024
• Journal: Disease Models and Mechanisms
• Print ISSN: 1754-8403
• Electronic ISSN: 1754-8411
• Publisher: Company of Biologists
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 12
• Article Number: dmm050716
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.050716
• Keywords: Cholangiocarcinoma, PDX models, Mesenchymal stem cells, Signalling pathways, Tumour microenvironment
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/41678898
• Publisher URL: https://journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/doi/10.1242/dmm.050716/362583/The-role-of-mesenchymal-cells-in