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Phenotype of melanocytes under physiological and pathological conditions
Strnadová, Karolína ; Lacina, Lukáš (advisor) ; Mokrý, Jaroslav (referee) ; Balvan, Jan (referee)
In addition to the dominant keratinocytes and fibroblasts, melanocytes are also indispensable representatives of skin cell populations. Melanocytes are pigment cells whose primary function is to produce the pigment melanin, which is important for protecting keratinocytes from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Excessive exposure to this radiation is a risk factor for the development of skin tumours, including malignant melanoma of the skin, in which pathological transformation of melanocytes into melanoma cells occurs. The presented thesis focuses on 4 thematic areas associated mainly with malignant melanoma. In the first thematic area, the increasing incidence of malignant skin melanoma is associated with the ageing of the population. One of the reasons seems to be the more frequent occurrence of proinflammatory setting in the ageing organism. It prepares a suitable environment for tumour development. The second thematic area focuses on new approaches that could expand the range of diagnostic methods for the early detection of malignant melanoma. The first approach methodically uses the detection of proinflammatory molecules in the patient's serum. Higher serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 correlate with an unfavourable patient prognosis. The second approach is based on the possibility of detecting a...
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Effect of cancer-associated fibroblasts on the survival, proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells.
Nováková, Gita ; Anděra, Ladislav (advisor) ; Brábek, Jan (referee)
Tumour microenvironment, in addition to cancer cells themselves, represents important structural and functional part of the tumour. Similarly to the normal organs tumour microenvironment comprises several cell types (fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells etc.) and non-cellular components, particularly extracellular matrix. All of them form favourable conditions for the growth, proliferation, protection from the immune system- mediated destruction and nutrition of cancer cells. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent the most abundant cell type of tumour microenvironment. Their origin can be traced to local normal fibroblasts, endothelial cells or epithelial cells and the transition into the CAFs phenotype is influenced with several factors secreted by cancer cells (particularly TGF-β). In contrast to fibroblasts activated during wound healing newly formed cancer associated fibroblasts expressing α-SMA are not subsequently eliminated from the respektive tissue. They persist and produce a number of pro-tumorigenic factors - SDF-1, HGF, IGF-1, IL-6, VEGF, PDGF-C, TGF-β, MMPs etc. CAFs and their secreted factors target several signalling pathways enhancing basic characteristics of the tumour, so called Hallmarks of Cancer. Cancer associated fibroblasts promote proliferation and invasiveness of...
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Intercellular interactions in skin tumors.
Kučera, Jan ; Smetana, Karel (advisor) ; Masařík, Michal (referee) ; Kovář, Marek (referee)
The dissertation is focused on the study of intercellular interactions in skin tumors. It is based on 5 original publications that cover several topics. We studied the origin of tumor-associated fibroblasts concerning the primary tumor population. We demonstrated using a mouse model that tumor-associated fibroblasts are produced from the host organism and thus did not arise from transformation directly from tumor cells. We also investigated the relationship between tumor-associated fibroblasts and keratinocytes. We have shown that tumor-associated melanoma fibroblasts affect keratinocytes which, under their influence, acquire the features typically observed in migrating cells and cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We studied the interactions between healthy fibroblasts and tumor cells. We have demonstrated that fibroblasts acquired from healthy skin from a patient suffering from melanoma are significantly different from control fibroblasts of healthy donors in the expression profile. Changes in distal fibroblasts support the view of melanoma as a systemic disease. We have further demonstrated that melanoma-associated fibroblasts do not carry a BRAF mutation, in contrast to BRAF positivity of melanoma cells. And therefore, they did not arise from the transition from melanoma. The...
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Role of fibroblasts in wound healing and cancer
Mateu Sanz, Rosana ; Smetana, Karel (advisor) ; Masařík, Michal (referee) ; Mokrý, Jaroslav (referee)
Fibroblasts are stromal cells ubiquitously present in the human body. They often appear in a quiescent state and can become activated in response to tissue remodeling signals. Activated fibroblasts acquire biosynthetic, pro-inflammatory and contractile properties, key functions for wound healing. In addition, the presence of permanently activated fibroblasts is one of the hallmarks of cancer. The purpose of this work is to investigate the differences between newborn and adult fibroblasts and keratinocytes in their implication in scarless wound healing, the origin of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF)s and the influence of fibroblasts in melanoma invasion. Evidence suggests that wounds heal almost without scar in newborns. To understand the mechanisms that contribute to scarless wound healing we focused on the differences between newborn and adult fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which are cells present in human skin and participating in wound healing process. A comparison of the expression profile between newborn and adult fibroblasts showed differentially regulated genes related to the acute phase of the inflammatory response and ECM organization, traits involved in wound healing. We also found that newborn fibroblast showed higher differentiation potential, exhibited markers of pluripotency and...
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Study of Epithelial Mesenchymal Interactions in Squamous Epithelium Derived Tumors
Kodet, Ondřej ; Lacina, Lukáš (advisor) ; Borovanský, Jan (referee) ; Ehrmann, Jiří (referee)
This thesis is focused on the epithelial mesenchymal interactions in tumors derived from squamous epithelium including tumors arising from minor cell population (melanocytes). This study is also reflecting aspects of epithelial glycobiology resp. the study of endogenous lectins, the galectins, in head and neck squamous carcinomas. Galectins represent, in the current concepts of cell and tumor biology molecules with a remarkable potential. Galectins participate, besides in regulation of pre- and postnatal homeostasis in normal tissues, also in many pathological processes such as autoimmune reactions or malignancies. In this thesis, we demonstrated the presence of galectin-1 and -2 and their glycoligands in interphasic and mitotic nuclei, which may contribute to regulation of the cell cycle. Furthermore, we demonstrated galectin-9 as a sensitive marker of transformation normal to the dysplastic squamous epithelium in head and neck. The epithelial mesenchymal interactions represent mechanisms, which are responsible for dynamic maintenance of the homeostasis of the organism during prenatal development, postnatal growth and during cyclic renewal of certain tissues. These interactions also participate in wound healing. On the other hand they play a crucial role in the process of tumor transformation,...
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Intercellular interactions in skin tumors.
Kučera, Jan ; Smetana, Karel (advisor) ; Masařík, Michal (referee) ; Kovář, Marek (referee)
The dissertation is focused on the study of intercellular interactions in skin tumors. It is based on 5 original publications that cover several topics. We studied the origin of tumor-associated fibroblasts concerning the primary tumor population. We demonstrated using a mouse model that tumor-associated fibroblasts are produced from the host organism and thus did not arise from transformation directly from tumor cells. We also investigated the relationship between tumor-associated fibroblasts and keratinocytes. We have shown that tumor-associated melanoma fibroblasts affect keratinocytes which, under their influence, acquire the features typically observed in migrating cells and cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We studied the interactions between healthy fibroblasts and tumor cells. We have demonstrated that fibroblasts acquired from healthy skin from a patient suffering from melanoma are significantly different from control fibroblasts of healthy donors in the expression profile. Changes in distal fibroblasts support the view of melanoma as a systemic disease. We have further demonstrated that melanoma-associated fibroblasts do not carry a BRAF mutation, in contrast to BRAF positivity of melanoma cells. And therefore, they did not arise from the transition from melanoma. The...
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Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and Fibroblast activation protein in gliomagenesis.
Trylčová, Jana ; Šedo, Aleksi (advisor) ; Mandys, Václav (referee) ; Mareš, Vladislav (referee)
"Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV Activity and/or Structure Homologues"(DASH) represent a newly defined group of multifunctional molecules, typically bearing dipeptidyl peptidase-IV- like hydrolytic activity. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) cleaves out X-Pro dipeptides from the N-terminus of peptides. Other molecules carrying similar enzyme activity, such as Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), DPP-II, DPP8 and DPP9 or even DPP-IV structure-like but hydrolytically inactive molecules (DPP6 and DPP10) also belong to this group. Recent knowledge suggest a substantial role of DASH in cancer pathogenesis. The aim of this study is a preparation of a biological model and its use for understanding the mechanisms of interaction(s) between transformed glial cells and stroma in the processes of origin and development of tumors derived from neuroectoderm. Stable transfected human glioblastoma cell lines with inducible gene expression of DPP-IV, Fibroblast activation protein and their enzymatically inactive mutated forms, were prepared within the project. Prepared cell lines are used as a tool for studying not only the "autocrine" importance of DPP-IV and FAP for the expressing cells in in-vitro, but also for their potential "paracrine" effect(s) within the tumor microenvironment after homotopic implantation into the...
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Study of Epithelial Mesenchymal Interactions in Squamous Epithelium Derived Tumors
Kodet, Ondřej ; Lacina, Lukáš (advisor) ; Borovanský, Jan (referee) ; Ehrmann, Jiří (referee)
This thesis is focused on the epithelial mesenchymal interactions in tumors derived from squamous epithelium including tumors arising from minor cell population (melanocytes). This study is also reflecting aspects of epithelial glycobiology resp. the study of endogenous lectins, the galectins, in head and neck squamous carcinomas. Galectins represent, in the current concepts of cell and tumor biology molecules with a remarkable potential. Galectins participate, besides in regulation of pre- and postnatal homeostasis in normal tissues, also in many pathological processes such as autoimmune reactions or malignancies. In this thesis, we demonstrated the presence of galectin-1 and -2 and their glycoligands in interphasic and mitotic nuclei, which may contribute to regulation of the cell cycle. Furthermore, we demonstrated galectin-9 as a sensitive marker of transformation normal to the dysplastic squamous epithelium in head and neck. The epithelial mesenchymal interactions represent mechanisms, which are responsible for dynamic maintenance of the homeostasis of the organism during prenatal development, postnatal growth and during cyclic renewal of certain tissues. These interactions also participate in wound healing. On the other hand they play a crucial role in the process of tumor transformation,...
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Tumor microenvironment: Cancer-associated fibroblasts and their biological function in tumors derived from squamous epithelium
Nedvědová, Tereza ; Kodet, Ondřej (advisor) ; Brábek, Jan (referee)
The incidence of carcinomas originating from squamous cell epithelium increases with population ageing as well as in younger people. The treatment is demanding for both the patient and whole health system. For the successful therapy, there is a need to understand the development and spreading of the tumor to target them specifically. Tumors consist of tumor stroma and malignant cells. Cancer cells are organized in a hierarchic order and the major problem are cancer stem cells. Adult stem cells are defined as cells with the capacity to self-renew as well as the ability to generate differentiated cells within the tumor. Resistance to targeted therapy can improve survival of these cells and is responsible for cancer relapse. Tumor stroma constitutes another important part of tumor. It is composed of non-cancer cells and extracellular matrix and has become recognized as a major factor in cancer growth and metastation. The stroma includes vascular and immune cells and especially cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These cells are not malignant per se, nevertheless their role in supporting cancer growth and survival is important, so they have become an attractive target for treatment. There are several hypotheses made to explain the origin of CAFs. The question is whether the origin of all CAFs in one...
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Effect of cancer-associated fibroblasts on the survival, proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells.
Nováková, Gita ; Anděra, Ladislav (advisor) ; Brábek, Jan (referee)
Tumour microenvironment, in addition to cancer cells themselves, represents important structural and functional part of the tumour. Similarly to the normal organs tumour microenvironment comprises several cell types (fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells etc.) and non-cellular components, particularly extracellular matrix. All of them form favourable conditions for the growth, proliferation, protection from the immune system- mediated destruction and nutrition of cancer cells. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent the most abundant cell type of tumour microenvironment. Their origin can be traced to local normal fibroblasts, endothelial cells or epithelial cells and the transition into the CAFs phenotype is influenced with several factors secreted by cancer cells (particularly TGF-β). In contrast to fibroblasts activated during wound healing newly formed cancer associated fibroblasts expressing α-SMA are not subsequently eliminated from the respektive tissue. They persist and produce a number of pro-tumorigenic factors - SDF-1, HGF, IGF-1, IL-6, VEGF, PDGF-C, TGF-β, MMPs etc. CAFs and their secreted factors target several signalling pathways enhancing basic characteristics of the tumour, so called Hallmarks of Cancer. Cancer associated fibroblasts promote proliferation and invasiveness of...
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