@article{RossowVeitlVorlovaetal.2018, author = {Rossow, Leonie and Veitl, Simona and Vorlov{\´a}, Sandra and Wax, Jacqueline K. and Kuhn, Anja E. and Maltzahn, Verena and Upcin, Berin and Karl, Franziska and Hoffmann, Helene and G{\"a}tzner, Sabine and Kallius, Matthias and Nandigama, Rajender and Scheld, Daniela and Irmak, Ster and Herterich, Sabine and Zernecke, Alma and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman and Henke, Erik}, title = {LOX-catalyzed collagen stabilization is a proximal cause for intrinsic resistance to chemotherapy}, series = {Oncogene}, volume = {37}, journal = {Oncogene}, doi = {10.1038/s41388-018-0320-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227008}, pages = {4921-4940}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The potential of altering the tumor ECM to improve drug response remains fairly unexplored. To identify targets for modification of the ECM aiming to improve drug response and overcome resistance, we analyzed expression data sets from pre-treatment patient cohorts. Cross-evaluation identified a subset of chemoresistant tumors characterized by increased expression of collagens and collagen-stabilizing enzymes. We demonstrate that strong collagen expression and stabilization sets off a vicious circle of self-propagating hypoxia, malignant signaling, and aberrant angiogenesis that can be broken by an appropriate auxiliary intervention: Interfering with collagen stabilization by inhibition of lysyl oxidases significantly enhanced response to chemotherapy in various tumor models, even in metastatic disease. Inhibition of collagen stabilization by itself can reduce or enhance tumor growth depending on the tumor type. The mechanistical basis for this behavior is the dependence of the individual tumor on nutritional supply on one hand and on high tissue stiffness for FAK signaling on the other.}, language = {en} } @article{HollenhorstJurastowNandigamaetal.2020, author = {Hollenhorst, Monika I. and Jurastow, Innokentij and Nandigama, Rajender and Appenzeller, Silke and Li, Lei and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and Wiederhold, Stephanie and Althaus, Mike and Empting, Martin and Altm{\"u}ller, Janine and Hirsch, Anna K. H. and Flockerzi, Veit and Canning, Brendan J. and Saliba, Antoine-Emmanuel and Krasteva-Christ, Gabriela}, title = {Tracheal brush cells release acetylcholine in response to bitter tastants for paracrine and autocrine signaling}, series = {The FASEB Journal}, volume = {34}, journal = {The FASEB Journal}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1096/fj.201901314RR}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-213516}, pages = {316 -- 332}, year = {2020}, abstract = {For protection from inhaled pathogens many strategies have evolved in the airways such as mucociliary clearance and cough. We have previously shown that protective respiratory reflexes to locally released bacterial bitter "taste" substances are most probably initiated by tracheal brush cells (BC). Our single-cell RNA-seq analysis of murine BC revealed high expression levels of cholinergic and bitter taste signaling transcripts (Tas2r108, Gnat3, Trpm5). We directly demonstrate the secretion of acetylcholine (ACh) from BC upon stimulation with the Tas2R agonist denatonium. Inhibition of the taste transduction cascade abolished the increase in [Ca\(^{2+}\)]\(_{i}\) in BC and subsequent ACh-release. ACh-release is regulated in an autocrine manner. While the muscarinic ACh-receptors M3R and M1R are activating, M2R is inhibitory. Paracrine effects of ACh released in response to denatonium included increased [Ca\(^{2+}\)]\(_{i}\) in ciliated cells. Stimulation by denatonium or with Pseudomonas quinolone signaling molecules led to an increase in mucociliary clearance in explanted tracheae that was Trpm5- and M3R-mediated. We show that ACh-release from BC via the bitter taste cascade leads to immediate paracrine protective responses that can be boosted in an autocrine manner. This mechanism represents the initial step for the activation of innate immune responses against pathogens in the airways.}, language = {en} } @article{HenkeNandigamaErguen2020, author = {Henke, Erik and Nandigama, Rajender and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman}, title = {Extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment and its impact on cancer therapy}, series = {Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences}, number = {160}, issn = {2296-889X}, doi = {10.3389/fmolb.2019.00160}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199341}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Solid tumors are complex organ-like structures that consist not only of tumor cells but also of vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal, and immune cells. Often, this tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises the larger part of the overall tumor mass. Like the other components of the TME, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs. Intratumoral signaling, transport mechanisms, metabolisms, oxygenation, and immunogenicity are strongly affected if not controlled by the ECM. Exerting this regulatory control, the ECM does not only influence malignancy and growth of the tumor but also its response toward therapy. Understanding the particularities of the ECM in solid tumor is necessary to develop approaches to interfere with its negative effect. In this review, we will also highlight the current understanding of the physical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which the pathological tumor ECM affects the efficiency of radio-, chemo-, and immunotherapy. Finally, we will discuss the various strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM and how they could be utilized to improve response to therapy.}, language = {en} }