Epigenetic Mechanisms beyond Tumour-Stroma Crosstalk
Teresa Gagliano1, Claudio Brancolini1
1Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
Cancers
|March 6, 2021
Summary
Epigenetic dysregulations, not just genetic mutations, drive cancer. The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences these epigenetic changes, highlighting a complex interplay crucial for cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Cancer development is increasingly linked to epigenetic dysregulations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, alongside genetic mutations.
- Epigenetic changes can be triggered by genetic alterations or by stimuli, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) playing a critical role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the intricate relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer.
- To review recent literature on tumor-stroma interactions focusing on reciprocal epigenetic regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on tumor-stroma interactions.
- Analysis of research focusing on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer development and progression.
- Investigation of reciprocal regulation between cancer cells and the TME.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic dysregulations, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, are pivotal in cancer onset and progression.
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences cancer epigenetics, and vice versa.
- Complex signaling and crosstalk between tumor and stroma cells are fundamental to neoplastic development.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the interplay between the TME and cancer epigenetics is crucial for deciphering cancer development.
- Further research is needed to identify molecules and pathways involved in tumor-stroma epigenetic crosstalk.
- Epigenetic modifications are a key area for understanding cancer biology and TME interactions.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
7.2K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.2K
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.4K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...
3.4K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
32.0K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
32.0K
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
6.9K
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.9K
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
6.1K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
6.1K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.9K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.9K