Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Lymphatic Metastasis in Cholangiocarcinoma via the PDGF-BB/PDGFR-β Mediated Paracrine Signaling Network

Aging Dis. 2024 Feb 1;15(1):369-389. doi: 10.14336/AD.2023.0420.

Abstract

Patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) with lymph node metastasis (LNM) have the worst prognosis, even after complete resection; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we established CAF-derived PDGF-BB as a regulator of LMN in CCA. Proteomics analysis revealed upregulation of PDGF-BB in CAFs derived from patients with CCA with LMN (LN+CAFs). Clinically, the expression of CAF-PDGF-BB correlated with poor prognosis and increased LMN in patients with CCA, while CAF-secreted PDGF-BB enhanced lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC)-mediated lymphangiogenesis and promoted the trans-LEC migration ability of tumor cells. Co-injection of LN+CAFs and cancer cells increased tumor growth and LMN in vivo. Mechanistically, CAF-derived PDGF-BB activated its receptor PDGFR-β and its downstream ERK1/2-JNK signaling pathways in LECs to promote lymphoangiogenesis, while it also upregulated the PDGFR-β-GSK-P65-mediated tumor cell migration. Finally, targeting PDGF-BB/PDGFR-β or the GSK-P65 signaling axis prohibited CAF-mediated popliteal lymphatic metastasis (PLM) in vivo. Overall, our findings revealed that CAFs promote tumor growth and LMN via a paracrine network, identifying a promising therapeutic target for patients with advanced CCA.

MeSH terms

  • Becaplermin
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / metabolism
  • Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts* / metabolism
  • Cholangiocarcinoma* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Paracrine Communication
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / genetics

Substances

  • Becaplermin
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (82273476, 81972262, 81972255, 82173195), the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (Grant no. 2023A1515010188), and the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2020A 1515010181). Thank Professor Ping-Pui Wong for his technical advice.