YAP-induced Ccl2 expression is associated with a switch in hepatic macrophage identity and vascular remodelling in liver cancer

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Stefan Thomann - , Heidelberg University , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Sofia M.E. Weiler - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Teng Wei - , Heidelberg University , First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital) (Author)
  • Carsten Sticht - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Carolina De La Torre - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Marcell Tóth - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Fabian Rose - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Yingyue Tang - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Thomas Ritz - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Claudia Ball - , National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), Environmental Monitoring and Endocrinology (Research Group), National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg (Author)
  • Hanno Glimm - , National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Translational Functional Cancer Genomics Group, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden (Author)
  • Eduard Ryschich - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Peter Schirmacher - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Kai Breuhahn - , Heidelberg University  (Author)

Abstract

Background & aim: The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with the formation of communication networks leading to the recruitment of disease-modifying macrophages. However, how oncogenes in tumour cells control paracrine communication is not fully understood. Methods: Transgenic mice with liver-specific expression of the constitutively active yes-associated protein (YAPS127A) or an orthotopic implantation model served as tumour models. FACS-sorted F4/80+/CD11bdim/CD146-/retinoid- macrophages from healthy and tumour-bearing livers were used for transcriptomic profiling. Expression data of 242 human HCCs and a tissue microarray consisting of 91 HCCs and seven liver tissues were analyzed. Results: Screening of primary tumour cells expressing YAPS127A identified CC chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2) as a macrophage chemoattractant, whose expression was regulated in a YAP/TEA domain family member 4 (TEAD4)-dependent manner. Ccl2 expression was associated with a loss of Kupffer cells (KCs) and an increase in immature macrophages (Mɸimm) in hepatocarcinogenesis. Recruited Mɸimm were characterized by a lack of functional polarization (M0 signature) and high expression of the Ccl2 receptors C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (Ccr2), C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (Cx3cr1) and pro-angiogenic platelet-derived growth factors (Pdgfa/Pdgfb). Mɸimm formed cellular clusters in the perivascular space, which correlated with vascular morphometric changes indicative for angiogenesis. In human HCCs, the M0 signature served as an identifier for poor clinical outcome and CCL2 correlated with YAP expression and vascular network formation. Conclusions: In conclusion, YAP/TEAD4-regulated Ccl2 associates with perivascular recruitment of unpolarized Mɸimm and may contribute to a proangiogenic microenvironment in liver cancer.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3011-3023
Number of pages13
JournalLiver international
Volume41
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 34459091

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • bone marrow-derived macrophages, Hippo pathway, Kupffer cells, liver vascular niche, tumour microenvironment