1
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Gallant JP, Hintz HM, Gunaratne GS, Breneman MT, Recchia EE, West JL, Ott KL, Heninger E, Jackson AE, Luo NY, Rosenkrans ZT, Hernandez R, Zhao SG, Lang JM, Meimetis L, Kosoff D, LeBeau AM. Mechanistic Characterization of Cancer-associated Fibroblast Depletion via an Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting Fibroblast Activation Protein. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1481-1494. [PMID: 38747612 PMCID: PMC11168342 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are a prominent cell type within the tumor microenvironment (TME) where they are known to promote cancer cell growth and survival, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and immunosuppression. The transmembrane prolyl protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is expressed on the surface of highly protumorigenic CAFs found in the stroma of nearly every cancer of epithelial origin. The widespread expression of FAP has made it an attractive therapeutic target based on the underlying hypothesis that eliminating protumorigenic CAFs will disrupt the cross-talk between components of TME resulting in cancer cell death and immune infiltration. This hypothesis, however, has never been directly proven. To eliminate FAP-expressing CAFs, we developed an antibody-drug conjugate using our anti-FAP antibody, huB12, coupled to a monomethyl auristatin E (huB12-MMAE) payload. After determining that huB12 was an effective targeting vector, we found that huB12-MMAE potently eliminated FAP-expressing cells as monocultures in vitro and significantly prolonged survival in vivo using a xenograft engineered to overexpress FAP. We investigated the effects of selectively eliminating CAFs using a layered, open microfluidic cell coculture platform, known as the Stacks. Analysis of mRNA and protein expression found that treatment with huB12-MMAE resulted in the increased secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL8 by CAFs and an associated increase in expression of proinflammatory genes in cancer cells. We also detected increased secretion of CSF1, a cytokine involved in myeloid recruitment and differentiation. Our findings suggest that the mechanism of FAP-targeted therapies is through effects on the immune microenvironment and antitumor immune response. SIGNIFICANCE The direct elimination of FAP-expressing CAFs disrupts the cross-talk with cancer cells leading to a proinflammatory response and alterations in the immune microenvironment and antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Gallant
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Hallie M. Hintz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Gihan S. Gunaratne
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Matthew T. Breneman
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Emma E. Recchia
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jayden L. West
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kendahl L. Ott
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Erika Heninger
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Abigail E. Jackson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Natalie Y. Luo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Zachary T. Rosenkrans
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Reinier Hernandez
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Shuang G. Zhao
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Joshua M. Lang
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Labros Meimetis
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - David Kosoff
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- William S Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Aaron M. LeBeau
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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Zhu X, Chen C, Wei D, Xu Y, Liang S, Jia W, Li J, Qu Y, Zhai J, Zhang Y, Wu P, Hao Q, Zhang L, Zhang W, Yang X, Pan L, Qi R, Li Y, Wang F, Yi R, Yang Z, Wang J, Zhao Y. FOXP2 confers oncogenic effects in prostate cancer. eLife 2023; 12:e81258. [PMID: 37668356 PMCID: PMC10513481 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification oncogenes is fundamental to revealing the molecular basis of cancer. Here, we found that FOXP2 is overexpressed in human prostate cancer cells and prostate tumors, but its expression is absent in normal prostate epithelial cells and low in benign prostatic hyperplasia. FOXP2 is a FOX transcription factor family member and tightly associated with vocal development. To date, little is known regarding the link of FOXP2 to prostate cancer. We observed that high FOXP2 expression and frequent amplification are significantly associated with high Gleason score. Ectopic expression of FOXP2 induces malignant transformation of mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts and human prostate epithelial cell RWPE-1. Conversely, FOXP2 knockdown suppresses the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Transgenic overexpression of FOXP2 in the mouse prostate causes prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Overexpression of FOXP2 aberrantly activates oncogenic MET signaling and inhibition of MET signaling effectively reverts the FOXP2-induced oncogenic phenotype. CUT&Tag assay identified FOXP2-binding sites located in MET and its associated gene HGF. Additionally, the novel recurrent FOXP2-CPED1 fusion identified in prostate tumors results in high expression of truncated FOXP2, which exhibit a similar capacity for malignant transformation. Together, our data indicate that FOXP2 is involved in tumorigenicity of prostate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking UniversityShenzhenChina
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical CenterHong KongChina
| | - Dong Wei
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yong Xu
- Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjingChina
- Department of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjing Medical UniversityTianjingChina
| | - Siying Liang
- Genetic Testing Center, Qingdao Women and Children's HospitalQingdaoChina
| | - Wenlong Jia
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Jian Li
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yanchun Qu
- Tianjin Institute of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjingChina
| | - Jianpo Zhai
- Department of Urology, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yaoguang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Pengjie Wu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qiang Hao
- Department of Urology, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Linlin Zhang
- School of Nursing, Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Hospital, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of UrologyBeijingChina
| | - Lin Pan
- Clinical Institute of China-Japan Friendship HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Ruomei Qi
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yao Li
- Department of Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical ScienceBeijingChina
| | - Feiliang Wang
- The Department of Ultrasonography, Beijing Hospital, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Rui Yi
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ze Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jianye Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yanyang Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
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Rivas S, Marín A, Samtani S, González-Feliú E, Armisén R. MET Signaling Pathways, Resistance Mechanisms, and Opportunities for Target Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213898. [PMID: 36430388 PMCID: PMC9697723 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The MET gene, known as MET proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase, was first identified to induce tumor cell migration, invasion, and proliferation/survival through canonical RAS-CDC42-PAK-Rho kinase, RAS-MAPK, PI3K-AKT-mTOR, and β-catenin signaling pathways, and its driver mutations, such as MET gene amplification (METamp) and the exon 14 skipping alterations (METex14), activate cell transformation, cancer progression, and worse patient prognosis, principally in lung cancer through the overactivation of their own oncogenic and MET parallel signaling pathways. Because of this, MET driver alterations have become of interest in lung adenocarcinomas since the FDA approval of target therapies for METamp and METex14 in 2020. However, after using MET target therapies, tumor cells develop adaptative changes, favoring tumor resistance to drugs, the main current challenge to precision medicine. Here, we review a link between the resistance mechanism and MET signaling pathways, which is not only limited to MET. The resistance impacts MET parallel tyrosine kinase receptors and signals shared hubs. Therefore, this information could be relevant in the patient's mutational profile evaluation before the first target therapy prescription and follow-up to reduce the risk of drug resistance. However, to develop a resistance mechanism to a MET inhibitor, patients must have access to the drugs. For instance, none of the FDA approved MET inhibitors are registered as such in Chile and other developing countries. Constant cross-feeding between basic and clinical research will thus be required to meet future challenges imposed by the acquired resistance to targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Rivas
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - Arnaldo Marín
- Departamento de Oncología Básico Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile
| | - Suraj Samtani
- Departamento de Oncología Médica, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Hospital Félix Bulnes, Santiago 9080000, Chile
| | - Evelin González-Feliú
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - Ricardo Armisén
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Correspondence:
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Transcriptomic Signature and Growth Factor Regulation of Castration-Tolerant Prostate Luminal Progenitor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153775. [PMID: 35954439 PMCID: PMC9367377 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remain poorly understood. LSCmed cells defines an FACS-enriched population of castration-tolerant luminal progenitor cells that has been proposed to promote tumorigenesis and CRPC in Pten-deficient mice. The goals of this study were to assess the relevance of LSCmed cells through the analysis of their molecular proximity with luminal progenitor-like cell clusters identified by single-cell (sc)RNA-seq analyses of mouse and human prostates, and to investigate their regulation by in silico-predicted growth factors present in the prostatic microenvironment. Methods: Several bioinformatic pipelines were used for pan-transcriptomic analyses. LSCmed cells isolated by cell sorting from healthy and malignant mouse prostates were characterized using RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and organoid assays. Results: LSCmed cells match (i) mouse luminal progenitor cell clusters identified in scRNA-seq analyses for which we provide a common 15-gene signature including the previously identified LSCmed marker Krt4, and (ii) Club/Hillock cells of the human prostate. This transcriptional overlap was maintained in cancer contexts. EGFR/ERBB4, IGF-1R and MET pathways were identified as autocrine/paracrine regulators of progenitor, proliferation and differentiation properties of LSCmed cells. The functional redundancy of these signaling pathways allows them to bypass the effect of receptor-targeted pharmacological inhibitors. Conclusions: Based on transcriptomic profile and pharmacological resistance to monotherapies that failed in CRPC patients, this study supports LSCmed cells as a relevant model to investigate the role of castration-tolerant progenitor cells in human prostate cancer progression.
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von Spreckelsen N, Kesseler C, Brokinkel B, Goldbrunner R, Perry A, Mawrin C. Molecular neuropathology of brain-invasive meningiomas. Brain Pathol 2022; 32:e13048. [PMID: 35213084 PMCID: PMC8877755 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasion of brain tissue by meningiomas has been identified as one key factor for meningioma recurrence. The identification of meningioma tumor tissue surrounded by brain tissue in neurosurgical samples has been touted as a criterion for atypical meningioma (CNS WHO grade 2), but is only rarely seen in the absence of other high-grade features, with brain-invasive otherwise benign (BIOB) meningiomas remaining controversial. While post-surgery irradiation therapy might be initiated in brain-invasive meningiomas to prevent recurrences, specific treatment approaches targeting key molecules involved in the invasive process are not established. Here we have compiled the current knowledge about mechanisms supporting brain tissue invasion by meningiomas and summarize preclinical models studying targeted therapies with potential inhibitory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas von Spreckelsen
- Department of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
- Department of General NeurosurgeryCenter for NeurosurgeryCologne University HospitalFaculty of Medicine and University HospitalUniversity of CologneGermany
| | - Christoph Kesseler
- Department of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
| | | | - Roland Goldbrunner
- Department of General NeurosurgeryCenter for NeurosurgeryCologne University HospitalFaculty of Medicine and University HospitalUniversity of CologneGermany
| | - Arie Perry
- Department of PathologyUCSFSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Neurological SurgeryUCSFSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Christian Mawrin
- Department of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital MagdeburgMagdeburgGermany
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6
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Mukai S, Yamasaki K, Fujii M, Nagai T, Terada N, Kataoka H, Kamoto T. Dysregulation of Type II Transmembrane Serine Proteases and Ligand-Dependent Activation of MET in Urological Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082663. [PMID: 32290402 PMCID: PMC7215454 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike in normal epithelium, dysregulated overactivation of various proteases have been reported in cancers. Degradation of pericancerous extracellular matrix leading to cancer cell invasion by matrix metalloproteases is well known evidence. On the other hand, several cell-surface proteases, including type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), also induce progression through activation of growth factors, protease activating receptors and other proteases. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) known as a multifunctional growth factor that upregulates cancer cell motility, invasiveness, proliferative, and anti-apoptotic activities through phosphorylation of MET (a specific receptor of HGF). HGF secreted as inactive zymogen (pro-HGF) from cancer associated stromal fibroblasts, and the proteolytic activation by several TTSPs including matriptase and hepsin is required. The activation is strictly regulated by HGF activator inhibitors (HAIs) in physiological condition. However, downregulation is frequently observed in cancers. Indeed, overactivation of MET by upregulation of matriptase and hepsin accompanied by the downregulation of HAIs in urological cancers (prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer) are also reported, a phenomenon observed in cancer cells with malignant phenotype, and correlated with poor prognosis. In this review, we summarized current reports focusing on TTSPs, HAIs, and MET signaling axis in urological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichiro Mukai
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.F.); (T.N.); (N.T.); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-985-85-2968
| | - Koji Yamasaki
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.F.); (T.N.); (N.T.); (T.K.)
| | - Masato Fujii
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.F.); (T.N.); (N.T.); (T.K.)
| | - Takahiro Nagai
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.F.); (T.N.); (N.T.); (T.K.)
| | - Naoki Terada
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.F.); (T.N.); (N.T.); (T.K.)
| | - Hiroaki Kataoka
- Oncopathology and Regenerative Biology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan;
| | - Toshiyuki Kamoto
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.F.); (T.N.); (N.T.); (T.K.)
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7
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Abstract
Over the last two decades, a novel subgroup of serine proteases, the cell surface-anchored serine proteases, has emerged as an important component of the human degradome, and several members have garnered significant attention for their roles in cancer progression and metastasis. A large body of literature describes that cell surface-anchored serine proteases are deregulated in cancer and that they contribute to both tumor formation and metastasis through diverse molecular mechanisms. The loss of precise regulation of cell surface-anchored serine protease expression and/or catalytic activity may be contributing to the etiology of several cancer types. There is therefore a strong impetus to understand the events that lead to deregulation at the gene and protein levels, how these precipitate in various stages of tumorigenesis, and whether targeting of selected proteases can lead to novel cancer intervention strategies. This review summarizes current knowledge about cell surface-anchored serine proteases and their role in cancer based on biochemical characterization, cell culture-based studies, expression studies, and in vivo experiments. Efforts to develop inhibitors to target cell surface-anchored serine proteases in cancer therapy will also be summarized.
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8
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Neuwirt H, Bouchal J, Kharaishvili G, Ploner C, Jöhrer K, Pitterl F, Weber A, Klocker H, Eder IE. Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate tumor growth and progression through upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:11. [PMID: 31980029 PMCID: PMC6979368 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0505-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Androgen receptor targeted therapies have emerged as an effective tool to manage advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Nevertheless, frequent occurrence of therapy resistance represents a major challenge in the clinical management of patients, also because the molecular mechanisms behind therapy resistance are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we therefore aimed to identify novel targets to intervene with therapy resistance using gene expression analysis of PCa co-culture spheroids where PCa cells are grown in the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and which have been previously shown to be a reliable model for antiandrogen resistance. Methods Gene expression changes of co-culture spheroids (LNCaP and DuCaP seeded together with CAFs) were identified by Illumina microarray profiling. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and cell viability assays in 2D and 3D culture were performed to validate the expression of selected targets in vitro and in vivo. Cytokine profiling was conducted to analyze CAF-conditioned medium. Results Gene expression analysis of co-culture spheroids revealed that CAFs induced a significant upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis pathways in PCa cells. Cytokine profiling revealed high amounts of pro-inflammatory, pro-migratory and pro-angiogenic factors in the CAF supernatant. In particular, two genes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A synthase 2 (HMGCS2) and aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), were significantly upregulated in PCa cells upon co-culture with CAFs. Both enzymes were also significantly increased in human PCa compared to benign tissue with AKR1C3 expression even being associated with Gleason score and metastatic status. Inhibiting HMGCS2 and AKR1C3 resulted in significant growth retardation of co-culture spheroids as well as of various castration and enzalutamide resistant cell lines in 2D and 3D culture, underscoring their putative role in PCa. Importantly, dual targeting of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis with simvastatin, a commonly prescribed cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, and an inhibitor against AKR1C3 had the strongest growth inhibitory effect. Conclusions From our results we conclude that CAFs induce an upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis in PCa cells, driving them into AR targeted therapy resistance. Blocking both pathways with simvastatin and an AKR1C3 inhibitor may therefore be a promising approach to overcome resistances to AR targeted therapies in PCa. Video abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Neuwirt
- Department of Internal Medicine IV - Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jan Bouchal
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacky University and University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Gvantsa Kharaishvili
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacky University and University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Christian Ploner
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Karin Jöhrer
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Florian Pitterl
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anja Weber
- Department of Urology, Division of Experimental Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Klocker
- Department of Urology, Division of Experimental Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Iris E Eder
- Department of Urology, Division of Experimental Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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9
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Aldahl J, Mi J, Pineda A, Kim WK, Olson A, Hooker E, He Y, Yu EJ, Le V, Lee DH, Geradts J, Sun Z. Aberrant activation of hepatocyte growth factor/MET signaling promotes β-catenin-mediated prostatic tumorigenesis. J Biol Chem 2019; 295:631-644. [PMID: 31819003 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-occurrence of aberrant hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/MET proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways has been observed in advanced and metastatic prostate cancers. This co-occurrence positively correlates with prostate cancer progression and castration-resistant prostate cancer development. However, the biological consequences of these abnormalities in these disease processes remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the aberrant activation of HGF/MET and Wnt/β-catenin cascades in prostate tumorigenesis by using a newly generated mouse model in which both murine Met transgene and stabilized β-catenin are conditionally co-expressed in prostatic epithelial cells. These compound mice displayed accelerated prostate tumor formation and invasion compared with their littermates that expressed only stabilized β-catenin. RNA-Seq and quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed increased expression of genes associated with tumor cell proliferation, progression, and metastasis. Moreover, Wnt signaling pathways were robustly enriched in prostate tumor samples from the compound mice. ChIP-qPCR experiments revealed increased β-catenin recruitment within the regulatory regions of the Myc gene in tumor cells of the compound mice. Interestingly, the occupancy of MET on the Myc promoter also appeared in the compound mouse tumor samples, implicating a novel role of MET in β-catenin-mediated transcription. Results from implanting prostate graft tissues derived from the compound mice and controls into HGF-transgenic mice further uncovered that HGF induces prostatic oncogenic transformation and cell growth. These results indicate a role of HGF/MET in β-catenin-mediated prostate cancer cell growth and progression and implicate a molecular mechanism whereby nuclear MET promotes aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling-mediated prostate tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Aldahl
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Jiaqi Mi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Ariana Pineda
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Won Kyung Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Adam Olson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Erika Hooker
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Yongfeng He
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Eun-Jeong Yu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Vien Le
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Dong-Hoon Lee
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Joseph Geradts
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000
| | - Zijie Sun
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010-3000.
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Olson A, Le V, Aldahl J, Yu EJ, Hooker E, He Y, Lee DH, Kim WK, Cardiff RD, Geradts J, Sun Z. The comprehensive role of E-cadherin in maintaining prostatic epithelial integrity during oncogenic transformation and tumor progression. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008451. [PMID: 31658259 PMCID: PMC6816545 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
E-cadherin complexes with the actin cytoskeleton via cytoplasmic catenins and maintains the functional characteristics and integrity of the epithelia in normal epithelial tissues. Lost expression of E-cadherin disrupts this complex resulting in loss of cell polarity, epithelial denudation and increased epithelial permeability in a variety of tissues. Decreased expression of E-cadherin has also been observed in invasive and metastatic human tumors. In this study, we investigated the effect of E-cadherin loss in prostatic epithelium using newly developed genetically engineered mouse models. Deletion of E-cadherin in prostatic luminal epithelial cells with modified probasin promoter driven Cre (PB-Cre4) induced the development of mouse prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). An increase in levels of cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin appeared in E-cadherin deleted atypical cells within PIN lesions. Using various experimental approaches, we further demonstrated that the knockdown of E-cadherin expression elevated free cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin and enhanced androgen-induced transcription and cell growth. Intriguingly, pathological changes representing prostatic epithelial cell denudation and increased apoptosis accompanied the above PIN lesions. The essential role of E-cadherin in maintaining prostatic epithelial integrity and organization was further demonstrated using organoid culture approaches. To directly assess the role of loss of E-cadherin in prostate tumor progression, we generated a new mouse model with bigenic Cdh1 and Pten deletion in prostate epithelium. Early onset, aggressive tumor phenotypes presented in the compound mice. Strikingly, goblet cell metaplasia was observed, intermixed within prostatic tumor lesions of the compound mice. This study provides multiple lines of novel evidence demonstrating a comprehensive role of E-cadherin in maintaining epithelial integrity during the course of prostate oncogenic transformation, tumor initiation and progression. The biological significance of E-cadherin in maintaining prostatic epithelial integrity and related molecular mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, using mouse genetic tools, we directly address this important and unresolved question. Conditional deletion of E-cadherin in mouse prostatic epithelia resulted in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) development but no prostatic tumor formation. Both in vivo and in vitro data showed that loss of E-cadherin modulates the cellular localization of β-catenin, elevates its cytoplasmic and nuclear levels, and enhances its activity in transcription and cell proliferation. Intriguingly, in addition to PIN lesions, increased epithelial denudation and cell apoptosis also appeared within PIN lesions. This implicates that although lost E-cadherin is sufficient to introduce oncogenic transformation in prostatic epithelia, it also induces cell apoptosis and disrupts epithelial structure, preventing atypical PIN cells from progressing to tumor cells. Simultaneous deletion of Pten, a tumor suppressor, and E-cadherin in prostatic epithelia resulted in early onset, invasive prostatic tumors with admixture of goblet cells. These results demonstrate a critical role of E-cadherin in promoting prostatic tumor transdifferentiation and progression. This study further elucidates the dynamic role of E-cadherin in maintaining prostatic epithelial integrity during tumor initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Olson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Vien Le
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Joseph Aldahl
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Eun-Jeong Yu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Erika Hooker
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Yongfeng He
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Dong-Hong Lee
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Won Kyung Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Robert D. Cardiff
- Center for Comparative Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Joseph Geradts
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
| | - Zijie Sun
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Aldahl J, Yu EJ, He Y, Hooker E, Wong M, Le V, Olson A, Lee DH, Kim WK, Murtaugh CL, Cunha GR, Sun Z. A pivotal role of androgen signaling in Notch-responsive cells in prostate development, maturation, and regeneration. Differentiation 2019; 107:1-10. [PMID: 30927641 PMCID: PMC6612318 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Androgen signaling is essential for prostate development, morphogenesis, and regeneration. Emerging evidence also indicates a regulatory role of Notch signaling in prostate development, differentiation, and growth. However, the collaborative regulatory mechanisms of androgen and Notch signaling during prostate development, growth, and regeneration are largely unknown. Hairy and Enhancer of Split 1 (Hes1) is a transcriptional regulator of Notch signaling pathways, and its expression is responsive to Notch signaling. Hes1-expressing cells have been shown to possess the regenerative capability to repopulate a variety of adult tissues. In this study, we developed new mouse models to directly assess the role of the androgen receptor in prostatic Hes1-expressing cells. Selective deletion of AR expression in embryonic Hes1-expressing cells impeded early prostate development both in vivo and in tissue xenograft experiments. Prepubescent deletion of AR expression in Hes1-expressing cells resulted in prostate glands containing abnormalities in cell morphology and gland architecture. A population of castration-resistant Hes1-expressing cells was revealed in the adult prostate, with the ability to repopulate prostate epithelium following androgen supplementation. Deletion of AR in Hes1-expressing cells diminishes their regenerative ability. These lines of evidence demonstrate a critical role for the AR in Notch-responsive cells during the course of prostate development, morphogenesis, and regeneration, and implicate a mechanism underlying interaction between the androgen and Notch signaling pathways in the mouse prostate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Aldahl
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Eun-Jeong Yu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5328, USA
| | - Yongfeng He
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5328, USA
| | - Erika Hooker
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5328, USA
| | - Monica Wong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vien Le
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Adam Olson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Dong-Hoon Lee
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Won Kyung Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Charles L Murtaugh
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Gerald R Cunha
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Zijie Sun
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5328, USA.
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12
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Liu Y, Tan J, Ou S, Chen J, Chen L. MicroRNA-101-3p suppresses proliferation and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting the HGF/c-Met pathway. Invest New Drugs 2019; 38:60-69. [PMID: 30929159 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-019-00766-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are involved in each stage of tumor development. Activation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met axis facilitates the proliferation and migration of cancer cells, and the HGF/c-MET pathway provides potential targets for anticancer treatment. However, the interaction between HGF and miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Previous studies have shown that miR-101 is downregulated in various types of cancer and acts as a tumor suppressor, but the role of miR-101 in HCC has not yet been well defined. Here, we show that HGF is upregulated while microRNA-101-3p is significantly downregulated in the tumor tissues of HCC. By combining bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that HGF is a direct target of miR-101. In vitro experiments indicated that miR-101 inhibits the migration and proliferation of HCC cells by targeting the HGF/c-MET axis, and in vivo studies showed that overexpressed miR-101 dramatically suppresses tumor growth. Therefore, the present study identifies miR-101 as a negative regulator of HGF/c-MET and suggests that miRNAs can be used as targeted drugs for the clinical treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Tan
- Department of Pathology, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shuangyan Ou
- Medical Oncology Institute, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Hunan Polytechnic of Environment and Biology, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Limin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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