Cancer: An Oxidative Crosstalk between Solid Tumor Cells and Cancer Associated Fibroblasts.
Redox balance is associated with the regulation of several cell signalling pathways and functions. In fact, under physiological conditions, cells maintain a balance between oxidant and antioxidant systems, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) can act as second messengers to regulate cell proliferation, cell death, and other physiological processes. Cancer tissues usually contain higher levels of ROS than normal tissues, and this ROS overproduction is associated with tumor development. Neoplastic tissues are very heterogeneous systems, composed of tumor cells and microenvironment that has a critical role in tumor progression. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent the main cell type of tumor microenvironment, and they contribute to tumor growth by undergoing an irreversible activation process. It is known that ROS can be transferred from cancer cells to fibroblasts. In particular, ROS affect the behaviour of CAFs by promoting the conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts that support tumor progression and dissemination. Furthermore, the wrecking of redox homeostasis in cancer cells and tumor microenvironment induces a metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells and cancer associated fibroblasts, giving advantage to cancer growth. This review describes the role of ROS in tumor growth, by focusing on CAFs activation and metabolic interactions between cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts.
Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Arcucci
Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Maria Rosaria
MR
Ruocco
Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Giuseppina
G
Granato
Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Anna Maria
AM
Sacco
Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Stefania
0000-0002-7420-372X
S
Montagnani
D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species