Nguyen, N. M. P. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2024

FSTL3 is a biomarker of poor prognosis and is associated with immunotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer.

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), is associated with high mortality rates due to late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options. We investigated the role of FSTL3 in ovarian cancer progression both as a prognostic biomarker and as a potential therapeutic target. We measured levels of follistatin (FST) and follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) in 96 ovarian cancer patient ascites samples and found that FSTL3 overexpression was more predominant than FST and associated with poorer survival outcomes. Mice implanted with an HGSOC syngeneic cell line bearing common alterations in ovarian cancer (KRASG12V, P53R172H, CCNE1oe, AKT2oe) had increasing levels of FST and FSTL3 in serum during tumor growth. Further alteration of this model to generate a knockout of FST (KPCA.FSTKO) and an overexpression of human FSTL3 (KPCA.FSTKO_hFSTL3), revealed that FSTL3 expression was associated with a more fibrotic tumor microenvironment, correlating with an increased abundance of cancer-associated myofibroblasts (myCAFs), and cancer cells with a more mesenchymal phenotype. Tumors overexpressing FSTL3 had less immunocyte infiltration and a significantly reduced intratumoral T-cell abundance (CD4+, CD8+). FSTL3 overexpression completely abrogated tumor response to PPC treatment (Prexasertib combined with PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade) compared to controls, suggesting that FSTL3 may be involved in immunotherapy resistance. In conclusion, this study suggests a role for FSTL3 as a prognostic marker and as therapeutic target in HGSOC, where it may play a role in promoting a mesenchymal tumor phenotype, maintaining an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and driving immunotherapy resistance. HighlightsHigh FSTL3 levels are associated with poor outcomes in ovarian cancer. Serum levels of FSTL3 increase during tumor growth and reflect tumor burden and therapy response. Overexpression of FSTL3 in cancer cells promotes a fibrotic tumor microenvironment and immunocyte exclusion. Overexpression of FSTL3 in tumors induces resistance to Chk1 and immune checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=180 SRC="FIGDIR/small/627747v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1000"> View larger version (45K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16d0608org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a70028org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1fb4895org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@5a42b4_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

AMH protects the ovary from doxorubicin by regulating cell fate and the response to DNA damage

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) protects the ovarian reserve from chemotherapy, and this effect is most pronounced with Doxorubicin (DOX). However, the mechanisms of DOX toxicity and AMH rescue in the ovary remain unclear. Herein, we characterize these mechanisms in various ovarian cell types using scRNAseq. In the mesenchyme, DOX activates the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway through p53 class mediators, particularly affecting theca progenitors, while co-treament with AMH halts theca differentiation and reduces apoptotic gene expression. In preantral granulosa cells, DOX upregulates the cell cycle inhibitor Cdkn1a and dysregulates Wnt signaling, which are ameliorated by AMH co-treatment. Finally, in follicles, AMH induces Id3, a protein involved in DNA repair, which is necessary to prevent the accumulation of DNA lesions marked by {gamma}-H2AX in granulosa cells. Altogether this study characterizes cell, and follicle stage-specific mechanisms of AMH protection of the ovary, offering promising new avenues for fertility preservation in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. HighlightsO_LIDoxorubicin treatment induces DNA damage that activates the p53 pathway in stromal and follicular cells of the ovary. C_LIO_LIAMH inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of theca and granulosa cells and promotes follicle survival following Doxorubicin insult. C_LIO_LIAMH treatment mitigates Doxorubicin-induced DNA damage in the ovary by preventing the accumulation of {gamma}-H2AX-positive unresolved foci, through increased expression of ID3, a protein involved in DNA repair. C_LI Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=189 SRC="FIGDIR/small/595356v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (42K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19f6752org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@383e74org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8c38f7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1efe797_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

developmental biology↗