Inflammation-driven senescence-associated secretory phenotype in cancer-associated fibroblasts enhances peritoneal dissemination

In the tumor microenvironment, senescent non-malignant cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), exhibit a secretory profile under stress conditions; this senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) leads to cancer progression and chemoresistance. However, the role of senescent CAFs in metastatic lesions and the molecular mechanism of inflammation-related SASP induction are not well understood. We show that pro-inflammatory cytokine-driven EZH2 downregulation maintains the SASP by demethylating H3K27me3 marks in CAFs and enhances peritoneal tumor formation of gastric cancer (GC) through JAK/STAT3 signaling in a mouse model. A JAK/STAT3 inhibitor blocks the increase in GC cell viability induced by senescent CAFs and peritoneal tumor formation. Single-cell mass cytometry revealed that fibroblasts exist in the ascites of GC patients with peritoneal dissemination, and the fibroblast population shows p16 expression and SASP factors at high levels. These findings provide insights into the inflammation-related SASP maintenance by histone modification and the role of senescent CAFs in GC peritoneal dissemination.

Automated summary

In the tumor microenvironment, senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a role in promoting gastric cancer (GC) peritoneal tumor formation through maintenance of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and JAK/STAT3 signaling. Single-cell mass cytometry analysis revealed a high expression level of senescent fibroblasts and SASP factors in the ascites of GC patients. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of inflammation-related SASP maintenance and the involvement of senescent CAFs in GC peritoneal dissemination.