Project description:We recently reported that some cancers induce accumulation of bone marrow (BM) B-cell precursors in the spleen to convert them into metastasis-promoting, immunosuppressive B cells. Here, using various murine tumor models and samples from humans with breast and ovarian cancers, we provide evidence that cancer cells also coopt differentiation of the extranodal B-cell precursors to generate macrophages (termed B-MF). We link the trans-differentiation to a small subset of CSF1R+ Pax5Lo cells within BM pro-/pre-B and immature B cells and cancer-secreted M-CSF that downregulates Pax5 via CSF1R signaling. Thus, cancer generates tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) from B-cell precursors besides their primary source, monocytes. Based on their differences from monocyte-derived TAM, such as a superb ability to induce FoxP3+ Tregs, suppress proliferation of T cells and more efficiently phagocytize apoptotic cells, we propose that cancer generates B-MF to mediate cancer escape.
Project description:We recently reported that some cancers induce accumulation of bone marrow (BM) B-cell precursors in the spleen to convert them into metastasis-promoting, immunosuppressive B cells. Here, using various murine tumor models and samples from humans with breast and ovarian cancers, we provide evidence that cancer cells also coopt differentiation of the extranodal B-cell precursors to generate macrophages (termed B-MF). We link the trans-differentiation to a small subset of CSF1R+ Pax5Lo cells within BM pro-/pre-B and immature B cells and cancer-secreted M-CSF that downregulates Pax5 via CSF1R signaling. Thus, cancer generates tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) from B-cell precursors besides their primary source, monocytes. Based on their differences from monocyte-derived TAM, such as a superb ability to induce FoxP3+ Tregs, suppress proliferation of T cells and more efficiently phagocytize apoptotic cells, we propose that cancer generates B-MF to mediate cancer escape.
Project description:Cancer actively uses B cells to promote its progression and metastasis. For example, it causes accumulation of bone marrow (BM) B-cell precursors in spleen to convert into immunosuppressive Breg cells. Here, we provide evidence that cancer also coopts differentiation BM CSF1R+ Pax5Lo B-cell precursors to generate macrophages (termed B-MF cells). To do this, cancer uses CSF1 to trigger Csf1r signaling and downregulate PAX5 in B-cell precursors by activating FOXO1. Although tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are primarily derived from BM monocytes, our data suggest that some of them may have B-cell origin. Unlike monocyte-derived TAMs, B-MF exhibit a higher M2 polarization, more efficiently phagocytize apoptotic cells, induce FoxP3+ Tregs and suppress T cells activity. We propose that the cancer-B-MF axis is a novel immune escape pathway, thus a therapeutic target.
Project description:Despite their importance in lung health and disease, it remains unknown how human alveolar macrophages develop early in life. In this study we identified the fetal progenitor of human alveolar macrophages. We used microarray to define the gene signatures of human CD14+ blood monocytes (adult AM precursors), CD116+CD64+ fetal liver monocytes, and CD116+CD64- fetal AM precursors.
Project description:Human breast cancers are broadly classified based on their gene expression profiles into luminal- and basal-type tumors. These two major tumor subtypes express markers corresponding to the major differentiation states of epithelial cells in the breast, luminal (EpCAM+) and basal/myoepithelial (ME, CD10+). However, there are also rare types of breast cancers, such as metaplastic carcinomas, where tumor cells exhibit features of alternate cell types that no longer resemble breast epithelium. Until now, it has been difficult to identify the cell type(s) in the human breast that gives rise to these various forms of breast cancer. Here we report that transformation of EpCAM+ epithelial cells results in the formation of common forms of human breast cancer including ER+ and ER- tumors with luminal and basal-like characteristics, respectively, while transformation of CD10+ cells results in the development of rare metaplastic tumors reminiscent of the claudin-low subtype. We also demonstrate the existence of CD10+ breast cells with metaplastic traits that can give rise to skin and epidermal tissues. Furthermore, we show that the development of metaplastic breast cancer is due in part, to the transformation of these metaplastic breast epithelial cells. These findings identify normal cellular precursors to human breast cancers and reveal the existence of a population of cells with epidermal progenitor activity within adult human breast tissues. 8 breast cell line samples
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of a directed differentiation time course converting human embryonic stem cells (hES) into immature pancreatic beta cell precursors.
Project description:miRNA transcript profiling of a directed differentiation time course converting human embryonic stem cells (hES) into immature pancreatic beta cell precursors.