Clearance of senescent hepatocytes in a neoplastic-prone microenvironment delays the emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Increasing evidence indicates that carcinogenesis is dependent on the tissue context in which it occurs, implying that the latter can be a target for preventive or therapeutic strategies. We tested the possibility that re-normalizing a senescent, neoplastic-prone tissue microenvironment would exert a modulatory effect on the emergence of neoplastic disease. Rats were exposed to a protocol for the induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using an orthotopic and syngeneic system for cell transplantation, one group of animal was then delivered 8 million normal hepatocytes, via the portal circulation. Hepatocytes transplantation resulted in a prominent decrease in the incidence of both pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. At the end of 1 year 50% of control animals presented with HCC, while no HCC were observed in the transplanted group. Extensive hepatocyte senescence was induced by the carcinogenic protocol in the host liver; however, senescent cells were largely cleared following infusion of normal hepatocytes. Furthermore, levels of Il-6 increased in rats exposed to the carcinogenic protocol, while they returned to near control values in the group receiving hepatocyte transplantation. These results support the concept that strategies aimed at normalizing a neoplastic-prone tissue landscape can modulate progression of neoplastic disease.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
Fabio
F
Marongiu
Maria Paola
MP
Serra
Marcella
M
Sini
Fabrizio
F
Angius
Ezio
E
Laconi
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D004052:Diethylnitrosamine; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000637:transplantation; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013997:Time Factors; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D004052:Diethylnitrosamine