Biology subjects

Groentved, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Groentved, L..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors is associated with hypoxia and ECM remodeling in colorectal cancer

Acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) limits the durability of therapeutic responses across multiple cancer types, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Using the murine MC38 colorectal cancer model, we established an in vivo model recapitulating clinical response patterns, including complete regression, primary resistance, and acquired resistance. Tumors with acquired resistance progressed after initial benefit from combined anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy and maintained resistance upon retransplantation into naive hosts, indicating a cancer cell-intrinsic driver of resistance. Whole-genome sequencing showed no mutations in antigen presentation or IFN-{gamma} signaling pathways previously described in single clinical cases of acquired resistance, and functional assays confirmed preserved antigenicity and IFN-{gamma} responsiveness. Transcriptomic and metabolic profiling of resistant cancer cells instead revealed metabolic reprogramming characterized by enhanced mitochondrial respiration and enrichment of hypoxia-related gene signatures, suggesting cancer cell-intrinsic adaptations that reshape the tumor microenvironment. Tumors with acquired resistance exhibited an increase in tumor-associated macrophages, and these macrophages displayed enriched transcriptional signatures of hypoxia, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Proteomic analysis of ECM-enriched tumor fragments showed accumulation of proteoglycans and enzymes such as lysyl oxidase, consistent with active matrix-remodeling. These changes coincided with altered T cell activation characterized by reduced cytotoxic gene expression and decreased CD44 expression on tumor-infiltrating T cells, suggesting impaired effector functions within the resistant microenvironment. This study identifies non-genetic mechanisms of acquired resistance to ICIs and highlights metabolic and ECM remodeling programs as promising therapeutic targets to prevent or reverse acquired resistance to ICIs.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Collagen type I promotes pancreatic tumor growth and limits immune cell infiltration

Solid tumors are often characterized by a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) that contributes to increased tissue stiffness. Collagen type I is the main component of the ECM and its abundance in tumors is frequently associated with poor prognosis. In vitro studies suggest that a high collagen density promotes tumor invasion and modulates immune responses. However, recent in vivo findings have questioned the pro-tumorigenic role of collagen type I. In this study, we investigate the role of collagen for pancreatic tumor growth and immune cell infiltration using conditional collagen type I knockout mice and transgenic collagenase-resistant mice. Preventing collagen type I significantly reduces intratumoral collagen content and tumor growth. This reduction is accompanied increased infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells, a higher CD8/CD4 T cell ratio, and decreased numbers of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Conversely, collagenase-resistant mice develop collagen-dense tumors and display enhanced tumor growth. These mice also generally exhibit opposing effects on cell infiltration, including a lower CD8/CD4 ratio and increased MDSC abundance. These findings are further supported by analyses of publicly available human cancer datasets, which confirm an association between collagen type I levels and immune cell infiltration. Overall, our results demonstrate a pronounced pro-tumorigenic role of collagen type I in pancreatic cancer, which is associated with modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. This study highlights the importance of extracellular matrix components as key regulators of tumor progression and anti-tumor immunity.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Collagen Density Modulates the Immunosuppressive Functions of Tumor-Associated Macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) support tumor growth by suppressing the activity of tumor infiltrating T cells. Consistently, the number of TAMs has been correlated with a poor prognosis of cancer. The immunosuppressive TAMs are also considered a major limitation for the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. However, the molecular reason behind the acquisition of an immunosuppressive TAM phenotype is still not completely understood. During solid tumor growth, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is degraded and substituted with a tumor specific collagen-rich ECM. The collagen density of this tumor ECM has been associated with a poor prognosis of several cancers, but the underlying reason for this correlation is not well understood. Here, we have investigated whether the collagen density could modulate the immunosuppressive activity of TAMs and thereby promote tumor progression.\n\nIn this study, the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was 3D cultured in collagen matrices of low- and high collagen densities mimicking healthy and tumor tissue, respectively. The effects of collagen density on macrophage phenotype and function were investigated by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, and ELISA analysis. To investigate the effect of collagen density on the immune modulatory activity of macrophages, co-culture assays with primary T cells to assess T cell chemotaxis and proliferation were conducted. Lastly, the effects of collagen density on primary cells were investigated using murine bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) and TAMs isolated from murine 4T1 breast tumors.\n\nCollagen density did not affect the proliferation, viability or morphology of macrophages. However, whole-transcriptome analysis revealed a striking response to the surrounding collagen density including the differential regulation of many immune regulatory genes and genes encoding chemokines. The transcriptional changes in RAW 264.7 macrophages were shown to be similar in murine BMDMs and TAMs. Strikingly, the collagen density-induced changes in the gene expression profile had functional consequences for the macrophages. Specifically, macrophages cultured in high density collagen were less efficient at attracting cytotoxic T cells and also capable of inhibiting T cell proliferation to a greater extent than macrophages cultured in low density collagen.\n\nOur study demonstrates that a high collagen density can instruct TAMs to acquire an immunosuppressive phenotype. This could be one of the mechanisms decreasing the efficacy of immunotherapy and linking increased collagen density to poor patient prognosis.

immunology↗