Single-cell resolution characterization of myeloid-derived cell states with implication in cancer outcome.

Tumor-associated myeloid-derived cells (MDCs) significantly impact cancer prognosis and treatment responses due to their remarkable plasticity and tumorigenic behaviors. Here, we integrate single-cell RNA-sequencing data from different cancer types, identifying 29 MDC subpopulations within the tumor microenvironment. Our analysis reveals abnormally expanded MDC subpopulations across various tumors and distinguishes cell states that have often been grouped together, such as TREM2+ and FOLR2+ subpopulations. Using deconvolution approaches, we identify five subpopulations as independent prognostic markers, including states co-expressing TREM2 and PD-1, and FOLR2 and PDL-2. Additionally, TREM2 alone does not reliably predict cancer prognosis, as other TREM2+ macrophages show varied associations with prognosis depending on local cues. Validation in independent cohorts confirms that FOLR2-expressing macrophages correlate with poor clinical outcomes in ovarian and triple-negative breast cancers. This comprehensive MDC atlas offers valuable insights and a foundation for futher analyses, advancing strategies for treating solid cancers.

Senotherapeutic peptide treatment reduces biological age and senescence burden in human skin models.

Cellular senescence is known to play a role in age-related skin function deterioration which potentially influences longevity. Here, a two-step phenotypic screening was performed to identify senotherapeutic peptides, leading to the identification of Peptide (Pep) 14. Pep 14 effectively decreased human dermal fibroblast senescence burden induced by Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), chronological aging, ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB), and etoposide treatment, without inducing significant toxicity. Pep 14 functions via modulation of PP2A, an understudied holoenzyme that promotes genomic stability and is involved in DNA repair and senescence pathways. At the single-cell level, Pep 14 modulates genes that prevent senescence progression by arresting the cell cycle and enhancing DNA repair, which consequently reduce the number of cells progressing to late senescence. When applied on aged ex vivo skin, Pep 14 promoted a healthy skin phenotype with structural and molecular resemblance to young ex vivo skin, decreased the expression of senescence markers, including SASP, and reduced the DNA methylation age. In summary, this work shows the safe reduction of the biological age of ex vivo human skins by a senomorphic peptide.

Impaired expression of serine/arginine protein kinase 2 (SRPK2) affects melanoma progression.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive tumors, and its lethality is associated with the ability of malignant cells to migrate and invade surrounding tissues to colonize distant organs and to generate widespread metastasis. The serine/arginine protein kinases 1 and 2 (SRPK1 and SRPK2) are classically related to the control of pre-mRNA splicing through SR protein phosphorylation and have been found overexpressed in many types of cancer, including melanoma. Previously, we have demonstrated that the pharmacological inhibition of SRPKs impairs pulmonary colonization of metastatic melanoma in mice. As the used compounds could target at least both SRPK1 and SRPK2, here we sought to obtain additional clues regarding the involvement of these paralogs in melanoma progression. We analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data of melanoma patient cohorts and found that SRPK2 expression in melanoma cells is associated with poor prognosis. Consistently, CRISPR-Cas9 genome targeting of SRPK2, but not SRPK1, impaired actin polymerization dynamics as well as the proliferative and invasive capacity of B16F10 cells in vitro. In further in vivo experiments, genetic targeting of SRPK2, but not SRPK1, reduced tumor progression in both subcutaneous and caudal vein melanoma induction models. Taken together, these findings suggest different functional roles for SRPK1/2 in metastatic melanoma and highlight the relevance of pursuing selective pharmacological inhibitors of SRPK2.

The SRPK inhibitor N-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) isonicotinamide (SRPIN340) increases the immune response against metastatic melanoma in mice.

Cancers have a strong relationship with immune cells in their microenvironment, which significantly influences tumor proliferation and progression. Thus, pharmacological strategies that stimulate the immune system to combat tumor cells are promising for better therapeutic efficacy. Deregulated expression of the splicing regulatory serine arginine protein kinases (mostly SRPK1 and SRPK2) has been found in different cancer types, leading to the expression of isoforms related to tumor growth and metastasis. The microenvironment of melanoma exhibits a strong presence of immune cells, which significantly influences tumor progression, and around 50% of cutaneous melanoma patients benefit from targeted immunotherapy. Here, we analyzed human malignant melanoma single-cell gene expression data and observed that SRPK1/2 overexpression correlates with immune system pathway alterations. In further analysis, we observed an increased presence of immune cells in biopsies from mice bearing metastatic melanoma treated with SRPIN340, a well-known SRPK1/2 pharmacological inhibitor. Local treatments increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines at the tumor lesions and the activity of the spleen, accompanied by reduced pulmonary metastasis foci, edema formation, and alveolar congestion. In in vitro assays, SRPIN340 also potentiated immunological susceptibility, by increasing the expression of the antigen presenting MHCI and MHCII molecules and by increasing the ability of B16F10 cells to attract splenic cells in transwell assays. Taken together, these results reveal that the antimetastatic effect of SRPIN340 can also involve an increased immune response, which suggests additional functional clues for SRPKs in tumor biology.

Hallmarks of Aging in Macrophages: Consequences to Skin Inflammaging.

The skin is our largest organ and the outermost protective barrier. Its aging reflects both intrinsic and extrinsic processes resulting from the constant insults it is exposed to. Aging in the skin is accompanied by specific epigenetic modifications, accumulation of senescent cells, reduced cellular proliferation/tissue renewal, altered extracellular matrix, and a proinflammatory environment favoring undesirable conditions, including disease onset. Macrophages (Mφ) are the most abundant immune cell type in the skin and comprise a group of heterogeneous and plastic cells that are key for skin homeostasis and host defense. However, they have also been implicated in orchestrating chronic inflammation during aging. Since Mφ are related to innate and adaptive immunity, it is possible that age-modified skin Mφ promote adaptive immunity exacerbation and exhaustion, favoring the emergence of proinflammatory pathologies, such as skin cancer. In this review, we will highlight recent findings pertaining to the effects of aging hallmarks over Mφ, supporting the recognition of such cell types as a driving force in skin inflammaging and age-related diseases. We will also present recent research targeting Mφ as potential therapeutic interventions in inflammatory skin disorders and cancer.