Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate cancer malignancy via metabolic rewiring and mitochondrial transfer

Oncogene. 2019 Jul;38(27):5339-5355. doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0805-7. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Abstract

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major cellular stromal component of many solid tumors. In prostate cancer (PCa), CAFs establish a metabolic symbiosis with PCa cells, contributing to cancer aggressiveness through lactate shuttle. In this study, we report that lactate uptake alters the NAD+/NADH ratio in the cancer cells, which culminates with SIRT1-dependent PGC-1α activation and subsequent enhancement of mitochondrial mass and activity. The high exploitation of mitochondria results in tricarboxylic acid cycle deregulation, accumulation of oncometabolites and in the altered expression of mitochondrial complexes, responsible for superoxide generation. Additionally, cancer cells hijack CAF-derived functional mitochondria through the formation of cellular bridges, a phenomenon that we observed in both in vitro and in vivo PCa models. Our work reveals a crucial function of tumor mitochondria as the energy sensors and transducers of CAF-dependent metabolic reprogramming and underscores the reliance of PCa cells on CAF catabolic activity and mitochondria trading.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Citric Acid Cycle
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • NAD / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • PPARGC1A protein, human
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • NAD
  • SIRT1 protein, human
  • Sirtuin 1