Frontiers in Immunology (Nov 2021)

Deciphering Tumor Niches: Lessons From Solid and Hematological Malignancies

  • Stéphane J.C. Mancini,
  • Stéphane J.C. Mancini,
  • Stéphane J.C. Mancini,
  • Karl Balabanian,
  • Karl Balabanian,
  • Karl Balabanian,
  • Isabelle Corre,
  • Isabelle Corre,
  • Isabelle Corre,
  • Julie Gavard,
  • Julie Gavard,
  • Julie Gavard,
  • Julie Gavard,
  • Gwendal Lazennec,
  • Gwendal Lazennec,
  • Marie-Caroline Le Bousse-Kerdilès,
  • Marie-Caroline Le Bousse-Kerdilès,
  • Fawzia Louache,
  • Fawzia Louache,
  • Véronique Maguer-Satta,
  • Véronique Maguer-Satta,
  • Nathalie M. Mazure,
  • Nathalie M. Mazure,
  • Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou,
  • Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou,
  • Jean-François Peyron,
  • Jean-François Peyron,
  • Valérie Trichet,
  • Valérie Trichet,
  • Valérie Trichet,
  • Olivier Herault,
  • Olivier Herault,
  • Olivier Herault,
  • Olivier Herault,
  • Olivier Herault

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.766275
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

Read online

Knowledge about the hematopoietic niche has evolved considerably in recent years, in particular through in vitro analyzes, mouse models and the use of xenografts. Its complexity in the human bone marrow, in particular in a context of hematological malignancy, is more difficult to decipher by these strategies and could benefit from the knowledge acquired on the niches of solid tumors. Indeed, some common features can be suspected, since the bone marrow is a frequent site of solid tumor metastases. Recent research on solid tumors has provided very interesting information on the interactions between tumoral cells and their microenvironment, composed notably of mesenchymal, endothelial and immune cells. This review thus focuses on recent discoveries on tumor niches that could help in understanding hematopoietic niches, with special attention to 4 particular points: i) the heterogeneity of carcinoma/cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), ii) niche cytokines and chemokines, iii) the energy/oxidative metabolism and communication, especially mitochondrial transfer, and iv) the vascular niche through angiogenesis and endothelial plasticity. This review highlights actors and/or pathways of the microenvironment broadly involved in cancer processes. This opens avenues for innovative therapeutic opportunities targeting not only cancer stem cells but also their regulatory tumor niche(s), in order to improve current antitumor therapies.

Keywords