MDSCs: Key Criminals of Tumor Pre-metastatic Niche Formation

1Metastasis remains the leading cause of cancer-related death. Decades of investigations into cancer metastasis have focused largely on the causes of oncogenic transformation and the incipient emergence of tumors, although Stephen Paget proposed the seed-and-soil hypothesis in 1889. Metastasis-related high mortality has driven cancer biologists to renew their focus on the problem of metastasis. The study of how tumor cells lead to metastasis, such as altering the microenvironment, entering the circulation, and colonizing distant organs, has received more attention. Tireless research efforts have revealed that metastasis results from the interplay of wandering tumor cells with a supportive microenvironment in target tissues. The theory that a preconditioned microenvironment that receives incoming cancer cells at secondary organs or sites, termed the PMN, is the key determinant of cancer metastasis is widely accepted. Fidler et al. found that although mouse B16 melanoma cells could be found in the vasculature of multiple organs, only lung sites consistently developed metastatic tumor deposits, which provided support for this theory. Kaplan's research in 2005 first demonstrated the existence and stepwise progression of the PMN in Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC) or B16 cell-bearing mice. However, the complex processes and molecular mechanisms involved in PMN formation have remained among the greatest mysteries surrounding cancer metastasis.

2This supportive PMN is prepared by resident cells, recruited bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs), soluble factors, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). BMDCs are the main cellular components of the PMN, which is initiated by many types of primary tumors, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. The evidence of BMDCs in PMN formation is primarily drawn from mouse models and largely focused on the lung and liver as a target organ, although other organs and pathological samples from patients have also been examined. Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells and B16 melanoma cells possess a more widely disseminated metastatic potential and tend to metastasize to the lungs and liver. LLC or B16 tumors are more general models for the PMN related research. Rosandra et al. confirmed the role of BMDCs in PMN formation through LLC or B16 tumors. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were lethally irradiated and transplanted with GFP+ bone marrow cells. Mice were injected intradermally with either LLC or B16 cells. After irradiation, but before tumor implantation, minimal BMDCs were observed in the lungs or liver. After tumor implantation, but before the arrival of tumor cells, the extravasation and cluster formation of BMDCs were detected near distal alveoli and terminal bronchioles, both common sites for future tumor metastasis. Until day 16, tumor cells were detected and more than 95% of tumor cells co-clustered with GFP+ BMDCs. Therefore, factors provided by the primary tumor promote BMDCs to mobilize to pre-metastatic sites, and this migration precedes the arrival of tumor cells. However, the mechanisms by which BMDCs mediate the outgrowth of metastatic cancer cells are not completely understood.

3Neutrophils can be expanded, mobilized and recruited to the PMN when the primary tumor occurs. However, the role of neutrophils in PMN formation is not consistent. In colorectal cancer model mice, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 creates a PMN in the liver through SDF-1/CXCR4-dependent neutrophil recruitment. In mouse models of breast cancer, G-CSF-mobilized Ly6G+Ly6C+ granulocytes home to distant organs before the arrival of tumor cells and produce the Bv8 protein, which stimulates tumor cell migration through activation of prokineticin receptor (PKR)-1. This result is also observed during early breast cancer progression, G-CSF directs the production of T cell-suppressive neutrophils, which preferentially accumulate in peripheral tissues but not in the primary tumor. Specifically, tumor-secreted CCL2 stimulates neutrophils to accumulate in the lung prior to the arrival of metastatic cells and inhibits metastatic seeding by generating H2O2 in breast cancer mice. Thus, neutrophils could promote PMN formation. However, another study in breast cancer mice showed that neutrophils kill tumor cells through ROS production and granzyme-B release. Therefore, neutrophils can be a double-edged sword in PMN formation. Currently, the markers used to define neutrophils are oversimplified, and these neutrophils cannot actually be distinguished from MDSCs. Therefore, phenotypic analysis of these neutrophils is still a matter of study and deeper immunophenotyping and functional assessment of PMN-infiltrating immune cells are required.

4MDSCs are a heterogeneous group of myeloid cells with immunosuppressive properties that are derived from myeloid progenitor cells and immature myeloid cells. MDSCs have been detected in the lungs of mice bearing mammary adenocarcinoma prior to metastatic spread. MDSCs have been shown to play pleiotropic roles in cancer progression by shaping the tumor microenvironment and metastatic niches through immunosuppression and inflammation. Expanding experimental evidence indicates that MDSCs are the key determinants of PMN formation, although other immune cells, such as neutrophil, macrophage and Tregs also involved in PMN formation. S100A8/A9 imaging shows that MDSCs are abundant in the pre-metastatic lung and correlate with the subsequent metastatic breast cancer burden. In breast cancer model mice, MDSCs accumulate in the PMN and suppress cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and NK cells through the productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and arginase 1 (Arg-1). MDSCs are also involved in an array of non-immunological functions that may be associated with the PMN through secretion of cytokines, chemokine's, growth factors and exosomes. The roles of MDSCs in PMN formation and evolution are diverse and may range from the induction of vascular leakage and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling to systemic effects on the immune system that facilitate metastatic outgrowth.

5In this review, we summarize the new phenotypic features of MDSCs and the main factors that regulate MDSC recruitment and expansion in the PMN. We mainly discuss the multi-faceted superior capacity of MDSCs to establish a pre-metastatic microenvironment in distant organs, and finally provide new insights into how this process can be translated into clinical applications.

6MDSCs are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells whose numbers are increased in states of cancer, inflammation, or infection. At present, most knowledge about MDSCs comes from tumor immunity research. Tumor cells mobilize MDSC differentiation, proliferation, and migration toward tumor tissue by secreting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and other factors. The heterogeneity of MDSCs is derived from the complex expression patterns of their surface markers and locations. MDSCs mainly include monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) and granulocytic MDSC (G-MDSC) (or polymorphonuclear MDSC, PMN-MDSC) subpopulations. Other subsets further characterized in human MDSC are the immature MDSC [also known “early-stage MDSC” [eMDSC]] and fibrocytic MDSCs (F-MDSCs). MDSC subsets have been characterized, and play critical roles in tumor progression through different mechanisms (Table 1). It is worth noting that the dynamic interplay between cancer and host immune system often affects the process of myelopoiesis. The difference of MDSCs locations have contributed to the complex expression patterns of surface markers and effector molecules (Table 1). G-MDSCs and M-MDSCs use different mechanisms for immunosuppression, which have been reviewed elsewhere. Briefly, G-MDSCs mainly suppress T cell responses by producing ROS (reactive oxygen species) via an antigen-specific approach. M-MDSCs produce high amounts of NO, Arg-1 and immunosuppressive cytokines, such as IL-10, which suppress both antigen-specific and non-specific T cell responses. M-MDSCs have higher suppressive activity than G-MDSCs. F-MDSCs suppress T cell proliferation through IDO (indoleamine oxidase) production and promote Treg cell expansion.

7MDSCs are defined based on their phenotypic, functional, and molecular features. Notably, the expression levels of the molecules often change with environmental changes. Primary tumor derived factors mobilize MDSCs from bloodstream into the tissues where metastasis is about to occur. In pre-metastatic lung tissue, MDSCs are indicative of the granulocytic nature of CD11b+Ly6Clo/medLy6G+ cells which is referred to as G-MDSC or PMN-MDSC. Compared to neutrophils, these cells have fewer granules, diminished CD62L, and CD16 expression. Moreover, these cells express a high level of ROS and Arg-1. In mice bearing mammary adenocarcinoma, MDSCs have been detected in the pre-metastatic lung. Phenotypic analysis revealed that Ly6G+Ly6Clo cells constituted the major share of such cells, which was indicative of G-MDSCs. MDSCs in pre-metastatic tissue provide an microenvironment that is suitable for the arrival and settlement of tumor cells through promoting immunosuppression, leaky vasculature, and collagen restructuring in the premetastatic tissue.

8Researchers also define MDSC subpopulations using intrinsic and extrinsic cell death pathway properties, which are involved in myeloid lineage development and survival. The anti-apoptotic molecule cellular Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1 β converting enzyme inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) is constitutively required for the development of M-MDSCs, whereas G-MDSCs require a different anti-apoptotic molecule [myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL-1)] for development. The ability to suppress immune cells is an important standard that is used to define MDSCs. Suppression of T cell activity, including reduced proliferation and suppressed IFN-γ and IL-2 production, is an important standard for the evaluation of MDSC immunosuppressive function. The phenotypic and functional characteristics of MDSCs in the PMN need to be further investigated, although current studies have shown that MDSCs in the PMN originate from the bone marrow. In addition, the role of the PMN in MDSC functions and phenotypes is unclear.

9Previous studies investigating tumor metastasis focused largely on identifying cancer cell intrinsic determinants, such as genes and pathways that regulate colonization. Currently, promotion of the spread of tumor cells to secondary organs by prior formation of a supportive PMN at distant sites before the arrival of metastatic cells is widely accepted. The PMN has become a new paradigm for the initiation of metastasis, although understanding the complexity of the PMN is daunting. Indeed, a number of elements are involved in the formation and evolution of the PMN, including cells from different lineages, blood flow, soluble factors, EVs, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules that can provide niches for tumor settlement and growth. The pathological processes that occur before the development of macrometastases require better understanding. Kaplan's research in 2005 first demonstrated the existence and stepwise progression of the PMN. Researchers have uncovered the usual progression of PMN formation in diverse tumors, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer and melanoma. First, tumor-secreted factors, the effects of surgery, infection and aging not only change blood flow and vascular leakage but also contribute to activation and recruitment of BMDC populations. Second, the biological behavior of resident cells changes, and the ECM in the PMN is remodeled. Third, a microenvironment with inflammation, immunosuppression, and coagulation disorders is established, which is beneficial for the ability of arriving tumor cells to settle down and survive.

10Significant advancements have been made in understanding the regulation of MDSC accumulation and expansion in primary tumors. Currently, diverse factors, including GM-CSF, interleukins,VEGF, tumor-derived molecules, prostaglandin E2/cyclooxygenase-2 (PGE2/COX2), EVs, complement molecules, and IFN-γ, have been determined to regulate MDSC accumulation and expansion in the tumor microenvironment through the signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) or STAT3 signaling pathway. However, how MDSCs migrate into pre-metastatic sites and become activated is unclear, although research results have shown that MDSCs can infiltrate into the PMN in the presence of soluble factors, including GM-CSF, VEGF, IL-6, IL-1β, and CCL2. The main factors that affect the accumulation and activation of MDSCs in PMN are summarized in Table 2.

11Chemokines and other soluble factors secreted by tumors and stromal cells are the main components that affect the migration and activation of MDSCs in the PMN. Primary tumor cells and stromal cells secreted factors and EVs drive the expansion of MDSCs within the bone marrow and enhance actin polymerization in MDSCs and vascular leakiness in the bone marrow (BM) and PMN, which create conditions conducive for the mobilization of MDSC from BM to secondary sites (Figure 1). In colorectal cancer, VEGF secretion by colorectal carcinoma cells stimulates tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to produce chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), which recruits C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2)+ MDSCs to the liver tissue. The accumulated MDSCs promote PMN formation and ultimately promote liver metastases. CCL2 is also referred to as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), was demonstrated to be a functional contributor to PMNs. In a murine liver tumor model, tumor-associated fibroblast-secreted CCL2 induces mobilization and migration of MDSCs to the PMN through chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2). In a mouse breast cancer lung metastasis animal model, CCL2 also promotes MDSC migration and triggers S100A8/A9 secretion. In breast cancer, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) recruits PMN-MDSCs to the pre-metastatic lung and suppresses NK cell function, which promotes the formation of an immunosuppressive PMN. BMDCs express CCL2 to attract MDSCs via CCR2 in hedgehog-induced skin tumors. Furthermore, CCL12 promotes M-MDSCs to migrate to premetastatic lungs in melanoma cell-bearing mice and increases IL-1β and E-selectin expression before the arrival of tumor cells, which is beneficial for tumor cell arrest of endothelial cells. In addition, CCL9 is an important factor supporting MDSC recruitment to future PMNs. In colorectal cancer, CCL9 from the tumor epithelium recruits immature myeloid cells via the CCR1 receptor, which promotes tumor invasion. In melanoma and breast cancer-bearing mice, TGF-β regulates CCL9 production in MDSCs through p38, which shows a CCL9-CCR1 autocrine effect on MDSC survival through decreasing cell apoptosis. Moreover, CCL9 increases the levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-PKB) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in tumor cells, which promote the survival of newly arriving tumor cells in the PMN. Last but not least, serum CCL15 also promotes MDSC recruitment through CCR1, which is beneficial for colorectal cancer cell metastasis to the liver. It is worth noting that primary tumor also enhance BM progenitors mobilization to the PMN through factors or exosomes secretion and these progenitors may further differentiate into MDSCs. Peinado et al. confirmed that melanoma exosomes reprogrammed BM progenitors toward a c-Kit+Tie2+Met+ pro-vasculogenic phenotype and enhanced these progenitors mobilization to the prometastatic lung through MET. In mouse models of metastatic lung, during the angiogenic switch, bone marrow-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells expressing VEGFR1 proliferate and mobilize to the bloodstream. These cells home to LLC cells -specific pre-metastatic lungs and form cellular clusters before the arrival of tumor cells, which metastasize to the lungs. Further characterization of cellular clusters revealed that these cells expressed myelomonocytic marker CD11b and secreted MMP9. Overall, the role of these chemokines in the formation and evolution of PMN must be taken. Such chemokines may be the targets to block the formation of PMN.

12Integrins are transmembrane receptors that facilitate cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. The very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) integrin is expressed by numerous cells of haematopoietic origin and possesses a key function in the cellular immune response and cancer metastasis. Bone marrow-derived VEGFR1+VLA-4+ HPCs migrate to the PMN and interact with resident fibroblasts through the fibronectin ligand of VLA-4, resulting in the formation of cellular clusters. These expression patterns of fibronectin and VEGFR1+VLA-4+ clusters foster a supportive microenvironment for incoming LLC or melanoma B12 cells and dictate organ-specific tumor spread. Blocking VLA-4 reduces tissue infiltration of M-MDSCs through inhibiting adherence to the apical side of the endothelium during the pathogenic process underlying hepatic inflammation. These results suggest that VLA-4 is a key molecule that regulates MDSC infiltration into tissues and may serve as an important target for blocking PMN formation. Future studies should focus on exploring strategies for blocking PMN formation based VLA-4.

13The ECM remodeling-related factors contributes to many aspects of tumor progression by acting on both tumor and immune cells. In particular, ECM remodeling-related factors-mediated regulation of immunosuppression occurs through regulation of the expansion, localization, and functional activities of myeloid cells. The calcium binding protein S100A8/A9 is a damage-associated molecular pattern which can activate Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 or receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). Activation of these receptors is involved in the recruitment of MDSCs. In LLC-bearing mice, S100A8 promotes MDSC recruitment through p38 and NF-κB activation in a TLR4-dependent manner. In mammary carcinoma cell-bearing mice, S100A8/A9 from myeloid and tumor cells bind to RAGE on MDSCs and promote MDSC migration and accumulation through the NF-κB signaling pathways. Periostin, which is a non-structural ECM protein, is a limiting factor in the metastatic colonization of disseminated tumor cells. Periostin promotes the pulmonary accumulation of MDSCs during the early stage of breast tumor metastasis. In periostin-deficient MDSCs, the activation of extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), PKB and STAT3 and immunosuppressive functions are decreased, which accelerate breast tumor growth. These results indicate that periostin from MDSCs participates in PMN formation through promoting ECM remodeling and regulates the activation and function of MDSCs. In addition, periostin also elevate Lysyl oxidase (LOX) activity. LOX is an extracellular matrix, copper-dependent amine oxidase that catalyzes a key enzymatic step in the crosslinking of collagen. In PMN, LOX promotes the crosslinking of collagen IV in the basement membrane. Cross-linked collagen IV is essential for CD11b+ myeloid cell recruitment. CD11b+ cells adhere to cross-linked collagen IV and produce matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2). MMP2 cleaves collagen, enhancing the invasion and recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells, which promote PMN formation. PMN-MDSCs are important regulators of immune responses in cancer and have been directly implicated in promotion of PMN formation. Lectin-type oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a distinct surface marker for human PMN-MDSC. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress converts neutrophils from healthy donors to suppressive G-MDSCs through increasing LOX-1 expression. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, ER stress promote LOX-1+CD15+ G-MDSCs expansion and suppress T cell proliferation through ROS/Arg-1. These results suggest that significant ER stress in a tumor-bearing host might induce PMN formation mediated by enhancement of LOX-1+CD15+ G-MDSCs -mediated suppression. In tumor-bearing mice transplanted with B16F1, Tib6, EL4, or LLC cells, tumor-secreted granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilizes peripheral CD11b+Gr1+ cells to the pre-metastatic lung. VEGFA from ovarian cancer cells promotes MDSC migration and differentiation through VEGFR1, which is expressed on MDSCs, and suppress CD8+ T cell infiltration. In melanoma tumors, TGF-β mediated inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1) upregulation skews dendritic cell differentiation to MDSCs and mobilizes VEGFR1+ haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) during PMN formation. In addition, serum amyloid A(SAA) 3, an acute phase protein, stimulates proliferative, and proinflammatory responses of keratinocytes, also participate in the formation of PMN. In LLC or B16 cell-bearing mice, serum amyloid A (SAA) 3 from endothelial cells and alveolar macrophages also attracts CD11b+ myeloid cells into pre-metastatic lungs. Therefore, extracellular matrix proteins play a major role in MDSC expansion and PMN formation. Blocking PMN formation through targeting ECM remodeling-related cytokines is an outstanding opportunity that is awaiting further research.

14Factors and cellular targets that mediate the steps of PMN formation and evolution, such as vascular leakiness, stromal education and reprogramming in organotropic sites, BMDC education and recruitment, and angiogenesis, should be validated in more detail. Dissecting PMN formation and evolution first requires examination of the earliest changes occurring within distant tissues. Current findings have identified EREG, COX2, and MMPs, which reconstitute a multi-functional vascular remodeling programme that leads to a large inflow of molecules and cells. MDSCs are significantly increased in the lungs of mice bearing mammary adenocarcinomas before tumor cell arrival. The mechanisms by which MDSCs mediate PMN formation and evolution in original or distant organs remain to be elucidated, although MDSCs clearly play an immunosuppressive role through secreting Arg-1, NOS2, IL-10, COX2, ROS, TGF-β, PGE2, and IDO, sequestrating active site cysteine, decreasing L-selectin expression, and many other pathways. Chemokines, cytokines, growth factors and EVs from MDSCs participate in multiple stages of PMN formation and evolution. Although the individual factors of these mediators are insufficient to develop the PMN, their combined abilities result in a profound increase in the sequential steps of PMN development. In the 4T1 mammary and LLC lung carcinoma models, enhanced expression of pro-metastatic proteins in MDSCs, such as Bv8, MMP9, S100A8 and S100A9, facilitates improved PMN formation, which supports more efficient tumor cell extravasation and proliferation. In melanoma cell-bearing mice, the interactions of MDSCs with epithelial cells (ECs) involve an increase in vascular permeability and degradation of tight junction proteins. Additionally, we review the roles of MDSCs in promoting PMN formation and evolution and the possible mechanisms (Figure 2).

15TGF-β is a secreted polypeptide that is a key element of cancer progression toward metastasis. In colon and breast cancer mouse models, TGF-β assists in the whole metastatic dissemination process through crosstalk with cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, which contribute to the process. During PMN formation and evolution, MDSCs are one important source of TGF-β, which induces a series of pre-metastatic events. Exposure of pulmonary tissue to single-walled carbon nanotubes leads to TGF-β production by MDSCs, which favors the formation of a microenvironment that supports ingrowth of lung carcinoma cells. However, the role of TGF-β signaling in MDSC-mediated PMN formation and evolution is unclear. In the lung, CCR2+ M-MDSCs stimulate lung fibroblasts to release tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) by producing TGF-β, which promotes lung fibrosis. In the liver, high TIMP1 protein levels in premalignant pancreatic lesions induce endogenous TIMP1 expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) through interaction with CD63 and a process that involves the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) molecule. Moreover, circulating TIMP1-activated HSCs express C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12), which induces MDSC and neutrophil migration through CXCR4 and creates a microenvironment in the liver that increases its susceptibility to pancreatic tumor cells. Moreover, chronic inflammation activates human HSCs also to convert mature peripheral blood monocytes into MDSCs in a CD44-dependent fashion. In addition, TGF-β secretion from Kupffer cells promotes the upregulation of fibronectin production by HSCs in a pancreatic cancer mouse model, which recruit macrophages into the liver and initiate PMN formation. In patients with non-small cell lung cancer, TGF-β stimulates CD39 and CD73 expression on MDSCs in the PMN and inhibits T cell and NK cell activity. These results indicate that MDSCs may promote PMN formation through TGF-β protein secretion. Therefore, TGF-β may be an effective target for suppression of PMN formation.

16The study of PMN formation largely focused on the lung as a target organ. In fact, the pre-metastatic lung contains many hyperpermeable vessels, activated endothelial cells, and abundant E-selectin. The tumor microvasculature tends to be malformed, more permeable, and more tortuous than vessels in healthy tissue. These effects have been largely attributed to upregulated VEGF expression. In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients, endothelial cells within the hyperpermeable area of the PMN have been proposed to produce TGF-β in a paracrine manner, leading to fibroblast activation and VEGF release. Interestingly, VEGF triggers focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-dependent vascular endothelial cadherin (VEC) tyrosine (Y) 658 (VEC-Y658) phosphorylation in ECs and initiates paracellular permeability. Moreover, VEGFA-dependent induction of endothelial FAK or injection of recombinant VEGFA promotes E-selectin upregulation, and inhibition of endothelial cell FAK hinders lung metastasis. E-selectin facilitates the adhesion of circulating tumor cells and lead to preferential homing of metastatic cancer cells to these foci and outgrowth. In tumor-bearing mice transplanted with B16F1, Tib6, EL4, or LLC cells, G-CSF secretion by the tumor mobilizes CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells to secrete VEGFA, which affects the tumor vasculature and promotes the formation of a pre-metastatic lung microenvironment. Overall, VEGF from MDSCs promotes PMN formation directly or indirectly and therefore may be candidate for blocking PMN.

17A common denominator of inflammatory responses within the PMN is the S100 protein. The pro-inflammatory mediator S100A8/A9 is abundant at inflammatory sites. S100A8/A9 is involved in processes such as enhancement of Ca2+ influx, cytokine production, immune cell recruitment and inflammation. The exact mechanism of S100A8/S100A9 in PMN formation is unclear, although S100A8/S100A9 is crucial for intercellular crosstalk between tumor and stromal cells during PMN establishment. Extracellular S100A8/A9 from MDSCs and tumor cells stimulates macrophage polarization toward the tumor-promoting M2 phenotype, and this conversion switches off IL-12 production, which drives the development of NK cells and tumouricidal T lymphocytes. Moreover, S100A8/S100A9 from mammary carcinoma cells bind to RAGE on MDSCs and promote the migration and accumulation of MDSCs through the NF-κB signaling pathways. In addition, secretion of S100A8/S100A9 proteins by MDSCs activates endothelial cells and MDSCs, resulting in myeloid cell recruitment in the blood and secondary lymphoid organs. S100 proteins and high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) secreted by MDSCs are ligands of RAGE. Downstream signaling pathways of RAGE are expressed in endothelial cells and MDSCs. HMGB1 effectively promotes human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell migration and capillary-like tube formation through the ERK/P38/Src signaling pathway. Thus, S100A8/S100A9 may maintain an autocrine feedback loop that leads to MDSC recruitment within the PMN.

18Interestingly, human breast cancer cell-derived exosomes prepare the PMN by activating Src phosphorylation and pro-inflammatory S100 gene expression in organ-specific cells. Moreover, MDSC exosomes induce chemotaxis of MDSCs themselves through their S100A8 and A9 content and promote M2 macrophage polarization in breast cancer model mice. In pancreatic cancer model mice, TGF-β signaling-induced fibronectin (FN) upregulation induces macrophage recruitment to the liver, which promotes liver PMN formation. Upon CCL2 stimulation, exosomal S100A8/9 produced by primary LLC or B16 cells are delivered systemically to the pre-metastatic lung endothelium and regulate SAA3 expression by endothelial cells and alveolar macrophages through stimulating the SAA3 promoter, which attracts CD11b+ myeloid cells to the pre-metastatic lungs. Furthermore, SAA3 also binds to TLR4 on lung endothelial cells and macrophages. Pancreatic cancer cell-derived exosomes initiate PMN formation in the liver through macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). This S100A8-SAA3-TLR4 cascade establishes the PMN. These results suggest that exosomal S100A8/9 play an important role in PMN formation, although the exact mechanism remains to be clarified.

19MMPs from invasive endothelial cells or bone marrow derived-progenitor cells govern degradation of the extracellular matrix, basement membrane, and interstitial stroma, all of which are essential events during the formation of new blood vessels. MMP9 is a member of a family of zinc-containing endopeptidases and is maintained at high levels in the PMN. Activation of endothelial MMP9 leads to damage of the endothelial barrier. Inhibiting MMP9 activity can decrease vascular permeability and improve stroke. Moreover, in a breast cancer mouse model, altered vascular integrity is manifested through hyperpermeability in the PMN, aberrant morphology of the vascular endothelium and breakdown of the vascular basement membrane. MMP9 also damaged vessel stability through sequestering vascular VEGF and TGF-β in the ECM. In fact, vascular permeability and neo-angiogenesis generation favor the initial extravasation and subsequent metastatic growth of tumor cells into pre-metastatic organs. MMP9 plays crucial roles in ECM remodeling and the angiogenic switch that supports formation of the PMN. MMP9 produced by MDSCs causes abnormal and leaky vasculature as well as restructuring of collagen in the basement membrane of blood vessels in the pre-metastatic lung. In mammary adenocarcinoma-bearing mice, CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid progenitor cells are significantly increased in the pre-metastatic lung before tumor cell arrival and produce a large amount of MMP9, which promotes aberrant vasculature formation and leads to the formation of a proliferative, immunosuppressive and inflamed PMN in the lung. Moreover, ablation of MMP9 results in aberrant vasculature normalization, improvement of host immune surveillance, and diminished lung metastasis. Therefore, MMP9 is a crucial regulator of mobilization of bone marrow-derived endothelial cell and progenitor cell recruitment, ECM remodeling, and the angiogenic switch, which are intimately involved in regulating vascular integrity in the PMN. These results suggest that MMP9 from MDSCs or tissue-resident cells in the pre-metastatic lung destroys the vasculature stability and immune balance, resulting in PMN formation and evolution.

20Exosomes (30–150 nm) are one type of membrane vesicle of endocytic origin and are secreted into the extracellular space by most cell types. Exosomes perform many biological functions, particularly intercellular communication through delivering functional proteins, mRNAs, and miRNAs into target cells following the internalization of exosomes. Cumulative evidence has suggested that tumor exosomes fuse with resident cells in the PMN and transfer their cargo, including genetic material (DNA, mRNA and miRNA), metabolites (lipids and small metabolites) and proteins, which are closely associated with the initiation, formation, and evolution of the PMN.

21Exosomes shed by tumor cells have been shown to contribute to MDSC recruitment. For example, membrane-associated Hsp72 from colon carcinoma CT26, lymphoma EL4, and embryo fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells and human lung adenocarcinoma-derived exosomes mediates the STAT3-dependent immunosuppressive function of MDSCs. Another study show that melanoma cell-derived exosomes promote PMN formation by educating bone marrow progenitor cells toward a pro-metastatic phenotype through the MET protein (Table 2). Pancreatic tumor-derived exosomes expressing MIF promote TGF-β secretion from Kupffer cells, which stimulates fibronectin secretion from hepatic stellate cells and recruits myeloid CD11b+ cells to the PMN in the liver. The pro-inflammatory proteins S100A8/S100A9 are abundant in MDSC exosomes from breast cancer model mice and is chemotactic for MDSCs in vitro. Therefore, exosomes from primary tumors play important roles in MDSC recruitment in secondary organ. The blockade of critical exosomes or their cargo is beneficial for inhibiting the accumulation and activation of MDSCs in the PMN.

22Exosomes enhance the systematic entry of cancer cells along the metastatic cascade. Therefore, understanding the biology of MDSC exosomes in the PMN is important. Mass spectrometry results show that MDSC exosomes from breast cancer model mice carry biologically active components, such as metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, and proteins relevant for immunomodulation. MDSC exosomes also carry many surface glycoproteins and several shared ligand receptor pairs, indicating that MDSC exosomes are well equipped for binding. In the following paragraphs, we will further examine the possible roles of MDSC exosomes in diverse mechanisms related to PMN formation and evolution, which are favorable for inhibiting PMN establishment at secondary organs and consequent metastatic outgrowth.

23The integrin on the surface of breast cancer cell exosomes promotes immature myeloid cell homing to the PMN and increases activation of S100 genes and Src signaling in the PMN in the lung and liver. LLC or B16/F10 cell-derived exosomal RNA activates alveolar epithelial TLR3 and consequently induces chemokine secretion in the lung and promotes neutrophil recruitment, which also promotes lung PMN formation. Therefore, the interactions of MDSC exosomes and cargo with ECs need to be clarified further. In cancer patients, intratumoural and peripheral MDSCs inevitably shed large exosomes, which are involved in PMN formation and evolution, although the exact mechanism needs to be further clarified. Breast cancer cell exosomal miR-210 promotes angiogenesis and metastasis by regulating EC behavior. Interestingly, HIF-1α can induce miR-210 overexpression in MDSCs and increase arginase activity and nitric oxide production, although miR-210 expression in MDSC exosomes needs to be further clarified. A study showed that MDSC exosomal miR-126a promoted lung metastasis by breast tumors (Table 3). Moreover, melanoma exosomal miR-9 activates the JAK-STAT pathway through reducing the SOCS5 levels in ECs, which promotes endothelial cell migration and tumor angiogenesis. CREB regulates miR-9 expression and inhibits MDSC differentiation by targeting runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1). The miR-9 expression profile in MDSC exosomes needs to be identified, and the interactions between miR-9 and ECs need to be further investigated. MDSCs express the advanced glycosylation end-product-specific receptor ligands S100A8/9, which can contribute to activation of inflammatory/immunosuppressive genes. MDSC exosomes polarize macrophages toward a tumor-promoting type 2 phenotype and possess S100A8/A9 chemotactic activity. G-MDSC exosomal Arg-1 inhibits T cell proliferation. Clearly, many cargoes within MDSC exosomes participate in function modulation and metabolic reprogramming of immune and stromal cells.

24These results indicate that MDSC exosomes are favorable for the establishment of an inflammatory and immunosuppressive microenvironment that is a supportive niche for the arrival of tumor cells. The potential impact of MDSC exosomes on regulation of the PMN is definite, although the detailed mechanism still needs further exploration.

25Clinical establishment of PMN detection technology could help patients optimize the selection of monitoring and intervention during therapy. Nevertheless, no effective clinical techniques are available to detect the PMN at present. Early detection of the PMN before radiographic evidence of the metastatic niche remains a challenge. Following immune cells or related molecules using a radiographic method provides an opportunity to identify the PMN. For instance, whole body imaging of lymphovascular niches is used to identify the premetastatic roles of melanoma in mice. However, the lack of specific tracking probes hinders the application of positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for PMN detection. Considering the crucial role of MDSCs in pre-metastatic tissue priming and the abundance of S100A8/A9 in MDSCs, initiation of the PMN can most likely be predicted by the MDSC abundance, which is reflected by MSDC surface molecules or cytokines. Researchers have developed a method that uses antibody-based single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for detection of S100A8/A9 in vivo as an imaging marker for pre-metastatic tissue priming. However, because MDSCs are not the only source of S100A8/A9, more MDSC-related molecules should be tested. Published studies have proven the roles of exosome-mediated PMN formation with diverse mechanisms.

26Study showed that pancreatic cancer cell-derived exosomes initiated PMN formation in the liver through MIF. Moreover, human breast cancer cell-derived exosomal integrins (ITGs) direct organ-specific colonization by fusing with resident target cells in a tissue-specific fashion, thereby initiating PMN formation. Those tumor exosomal cargoes in plasma assist with the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of the corresponding diseases. However, those tumor exosomal cargoes play a limited role in PMN detection, because there is no effective tracer for these molecules and their distribution profiles in the pre-metastatic microenvironment are unclear. MDSC exosomes package various molecules, including S100A8/9, miR-126a, and Arg-1, which are involved in PMN formation and evolution. Moreover, MDSC exosomes express CD11b molecules, which provide the possibility for an exosome trace. Therefore, MDSC exosomes have potential application value for detection of the PMN.

27Currently, no clinical agents are a specific target therapy for the PMN, although targeted therapies directed against establishment of the PMN can potentially inhibit metastasis in mice. In the earliest PMN event, ECM remodeling and the formation of blood clots lead to the loss of vascular integrity, which causes increased vasculature permeability. In turn, the increased vasculature permeability is beneficial for the ability of macromolecules and cells to cross endothelial barriers, which leads to ECM remodeling and destruction of vascular integrity. On the other hand, vascular leakiness leads to an abnormal microenvironment that is characterized by interstitial hypertension (elevated hydrostatic pressure outside the blood vessels). Therefore, targeting drugs to the PMN is difficult due to the increased permeability of the vasculature at the PMN. Encouragingly, specific targeting of PMN components reduces metastasis in preclinical models. In breast cancer, inhibition of LOX activity abrogates the formation of tumor-driven focal pre-metastatic bone lesions. In mice, the formation of pre-metastatic cellular clusters can be abrogated by preventing VEGFR1 function using antibodies or by removing VEGFR1+ cells from the bone marrow. Blocking SAA3-TLR4 function during the pre-metastatic phase can prevent formation of the pulmonary PMN. Abrogation of HPC clusters within pre-metastatic organs by either a VEGFR1 antibody or depletion of VEGFR1+ BMDCs reduces the metastasis of LLC or B16 cells to lung tissue. MDSCs play a crucial role in PMN formation and evolution and present strategic therapeutic potential. The use of low doses of approved chemotherapeutic drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, and fludarabine, represents the most promising, and feasible strategy to reduce the intratumoural numbers of MDSCs. In addition, small molecules, such as vitamin derivatives, amino-bisphosphonate, and antibodies, have been found to block MDSC expansion and recruitment (Table 3). Therefore, strategies to eliminate MDSCs and their related molecules and exosomes will help prevent PMN formation.

28Vitamins A and D may aid in MDSC differentiation to more mature cells through an unknown mechanism, which has been reviewed. The efficacy of 1α, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was observed in mice with lung cancer and patients with non-small cell lung and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In addition, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is a derivative of vitamin A with antiproliferative properties. ATRA targets genes responsible for cell maturation that are less likely to favor tumor growth by maturing MDSCs into DCs, granulocytes, and monocytes. In mice with fibrosarcomas and mammary adenocarcinomas, ATRA also enhance antitumour T cell responses. Clinical trials have shown that renal cell carcinoma patients with high serum ATRA concentrations have fewer peripheral blood MDSCs and improved T cell responses. Some new discoveries have been made concerning the regulation of MDSCs by vitamin derivatives. miR-155 induces MDSC expansion via targeting SH2 domain-containing inositol 5′-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1), leading to STAT3 activation. In B cell-derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), transfer of tumor cell exosomal miR-155 contributes to CLL cell-mediated MDSC induction, which can be disrupted by vitamin D. Last but not least, in a model of lipopolysaccharide-induced immunosuppression, ATRA decreases the generation of MDSCs by reducing CD34+ precursor cell proliferation. Therefore, vitamin derivatives may be candidates for blocking PMN and need to be thoroughly studied through clinical trials.

29Amino-bisphosphonate has been suggested to work as an immune modulator and therefore may be applicable as an antitumour agent that can prolong disease-free survival in cancer patients. Zoledronic acid (ZA) is a potent amino-bisphosphonate that targets the mevalonate pathway in myeloid cells. Zoledronic acid was previously shown to target MDSCs. In mesothelioma, ZA suppress TAM differentiation from MDSCs, leading to a reduced level of TAM-associated cytokines in the tumor microenvironment. In myeloma-challenged mice, ZA inhibits the expansion of MDSCs and bone lesions. In pancreatic cancer mice, ZA impairs intratumoural MDSC accumulation, resulting in a delayed tumor growth rate, prolonged median survival, and increased recruitment of T cells to the tumor. Amino-bisphosphonates contribute to specific MMP-9 inhibitory activity. In mammary tumor model mice, amino-bisphosphonates significantly reduce MDSC expansion in both the bone marrow and peripheral blood by decreasing the serum pro-MMP-9 and VEGF levels. These studies reinforce the importance of amino-bisphosphonate t in preventing the PMN formation and evolution.

30Antibodies are widely used as efficient agents for eliminating MDSCs, although their efficacies for each MDSC subtype (G-MDSCs and M-MDSCs) are controversial. For example, in melanoma and prostate tumor model mice, an anti-VEGFR-2 antibody suppresses MDSC-mediated angiogenesis through MMP-9 inhibition. Moreover, an anti-Gr1 antibody (RB6-8C5) is widely used as an efficient agent to eliminate MDSCs in mice. Zhang et al. found that an anti-Gr1 antibody reduced MDSCs by one-third in the tumors of 3LL cell-bearing mice. Vincent Hurez used an anti-Gr1 monoclonal antibody that reduced MDSCs by 50–75% in the spleens of B16-bearing mice. In addition, MDSCs are sensitive to TNF-related apoptosis–induced ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) agonists. DR5, which is a TRAIL-R, plays an important role in MDSC survival. The MD5-1 mAb, which is an agonistic DR5 antibody, dramatically improves immune responses in tumor-bearing mice. In mice bearing large EL4 tumors, treatment with the MD5-1 mAb strongly decreases the accumulation of both MDSC subsets in the tumor, and this effect is quite specific for MDSCs without affecting DCs and macrophages. In 16 patients with advanced cancers, the agonistic TRAIL-R2 antibody DS-8273a selectively targeted MDSCs and resulted in reduction of the elevated numbers of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of most patients. In myelodysplastic syndrome, BI 836858, which is a Fc-engineered monoclonal antibody against CD33, also reduce MDSCs by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and block CD33 downstream signaling, thereby preventing immunosuppressive cytokine secretion. In colon 26 cell-bearing mice, the anti-KIT IgG1 mAb KTN0158 promoted immune responses by selectively reducing immunosuppressive M-MDSCs. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-bearing mice, a mAb targeting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-associated antigen α-enolase (ENO1) inhibited in vivo infiltration of MDSCs into the tumor microenvironment and attenuated their restraint of the effector T cell response. Last but not least, in colorectal cancer with high blood DC-HIL+ MDSC levels, an anti-DC-HIL mAb attenuated tumor progression by reducing MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment. These works provide a foundation for the development of a novel group of therapies for the PMN aimed at MDSCs. The combined use of these antibodies may more effectively prevent the formation and evolution of PMN through targeting MDSCs.

31Taken together, the presented findings show that MDSC-derived TGF-β, S100A8/A9, VEGF, and exosomes promote PMN formation and metastasis through crosslinking with the immune system, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells. The main processes and mechanisms involve the induction of vascular leakiness, ECM remodeling, immunosuppression, and inflammation, although the exact mechanism remains to be confirmed. Because MDSCs play pivotal roles in PMN formation and evolution, developing strategies based on MDSCs for detection of the PMN at its earliest stages is realistic. Understanding the cross-talk between MDSCs and resident cells in pre-metastatic organs is essential for PMN targeting. Most of the work exploring PMN formation relies on mouse models of metastasis, and our understanding of PMN biology is mostly based on studies of lung or liver metastases. Some obstacles remain for clarifying the clinical traits of PMN and obtaining premetastatic tissues from patients. More clinical research is needed, and better imaging techniques for PMN detection should be developed.

32The material supporting the conclusion of this review has been included within the article.

33YW and SW designed the study. YW and NG drafted the manuscript. YD prepared the tables and figures. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

34The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.