1
|
Fuller AM, Pruitt HC, Liu Y, Irizarry-Negron VM, Pan H, Song H, DeVine A, Katti RS, Devalaraja S, Ciotti GE, Gonzalez MV, Williams EF, Murazzi I, Ntekoumes D, Skuli N, Hakonarson H, Zabransky DJ, Trevino JG, Weeraratna A, Weber K, Haldar M, Fraietta JA, Gerecht S, Eisinger-Mathason TSK. Oncogene-induced matrix reorganization controls CD8+ T cell function in the soft-tissue sarcoma microenvironment. J Clin Invest 2024:e167826. [PMID: 38652549 DOI: 10.1172/jci167826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cell dysfunction impedes anti-tumor immunity in solid cancers but the underlying mechanisms are diverse and poorly understood. Extracellular matrix (ECM) composition has been linked to impaired T cell migration and enhanced tumor progression; however, impacts of individual ECM molecules on T cell function in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are only beginning to be elucidated. Upstream regulators of aberrant ECM deposition and organization in solid tumors are equally ill-defined. Therefore, we investigated how ECM composition modulates CD8+ T cell function in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), an immunologically active desmoplastic tumor. Using an autochthonous murine model of UPS and data from multiple human patient cohorts, we discovered a multifaceted mechanism wherein the transcriptional co-activator YAP1 promotes collagen VI (COLVI) deposition in the UPS TME. In turn, COLVI induces CD8+ T cell dysfunction and immune evasion by remodeling fibrillar collagen and inhibiting T cell autophagic flux. Unexpectedly, collagen I (COLI) opposed COLVI in this setting, promoting CD8+ T cell function and acting as a tumor suppressor. Thus, CD8+ T cell responses in sarcoma depend upon oncogene-mediated ECM composition and remodeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Fuller
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Hawley C Pruitt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for Nano, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Valerie M Irizarry-Negron
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Hehai Pan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Hoogeun Song
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Ann DeVine
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Rohan S Katti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Samir Devalaraja
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Gabrielle E Ciotti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Michael V Gonzalez
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Erik F Williams
- Department of Microbiology, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Parker Ins, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Ileana Murazzi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Dimitris Ntekoumes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States of America
| | - Nicolas Skuli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Daniel J Zabransky
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Jose G Trevino
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, United States of America
| | - Ashani Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Kristy Weber
- Penn Sarcoma Program, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Malay Haldar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Joseph A Fraietta
- Department of Microbiology, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Parker Ins, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States of America
| | - T S Karin Eisinger-Mathason
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn Sarcoma Program, Abra, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pruitt HC, Guan Y, Liu H, Carey AE, Brennen WN, Lu J, Joshu C, Weeraratna A, Lotan TL, Karin Eisinger-Mathason TS, Gerecht S. Collagen VI deposition mediates stromal T cell trapping through inhibition of T cell motility in the prostate tumor microenvironment. Matrix Biol 2023; 121:90-104. [PMID: 37331435 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) is a barrier to anti-tumor immunity in solid tumors by disrupting T cell-tumor cell interaction underlying the need for elucidating mechanisms by which specific ECM proteins impact T cell motility and activity within the desmoplastic stroma of solid tumors. Here, we show that Collagen VI (Col VI) deposition correlates with stromal T cell density in human prostate cancer specimens. Furthermore, motility of CD4+ T cells is completely ablated on purified Col VI surfaces when compared with Fibronectin and Collagen I. Importantly, T cells adhered to Col VI surfaces displayed reduced cell spreading and fibrillar actin, indicating a reduction in traction force generation accompanied by a decrease in integrin β1 clustering. We found that CD4+ T cells largely lack expression of integrin α1 in the prostate tumor microenvironment and that blockade of α1β1 integrin heterodimers inhibited CD8+ T cell motility on prostate fibroblast-derived matrix, while re-expression of ITGA1 improved motility. Taken together, we show that the Col VI-rich microenvironment in prostate cancer reduces the motility of CD4+ T cells lacking integrin α1, leading to their accumulation in the stroma, thus putatively inhibiting anti-tumor T cell responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hawley C Pruitt
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ya Guan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Hudson Liu
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexis E Carey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - W Nathaniel Brennen
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiayun Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Corrine Joshu
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ashani Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tamara L Lotan
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - T S Karin Eisinger-Mathason
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fuller AM, Pruitt HC, Song H, Liu Y, Devine A, Katti RS, Devalaraja S, Ciotti GE, Gonzalez M, Williams EF, Murazzi I, Skuli N, Hakonarson H, Weber K, Haldar M, Fraietta JA, Gerecht S, Eisinger-Mathason TSK. Abstract PR001: Oncogene-induced matrix reorganization controls CD8+ T cell immunity in the UPS microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1557-3265.sarcomas22-pr001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
CD8+ T cell dysfunction, characterized by reduced effector function, impaired proliferation, and inhibitory receptor upregulation, is a fundamental barrier to anti-tumor immunity. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of CD8+ T cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are incompletely understood. In solid cancers, the extracellular matrix (ECM) facilitates tumor progression in part by inhibiting T cell migration/infiltration, but the impact of individual tumor-associated ECM molecules on T cell function remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the regulation and impact of ECM composition on CD8+ T cell function in muscle-derived undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). UPS exhibits durable responses to checkpoint therapy in a subset of human patients, potentially offering valuable insights into strategies for ameliorating T cell function and improving patient responses to immunotherapy. Using the autochthonous Kras G12D/+; Trp53 fl/fl (KP) murine model of UPS, we previously showed that deletion of the central Hippo pathway effector Yap1 (Kras G12D/+; Trp53 fl/fl; Yap1 fl/fl; KPY) suppressed UPS cell proliferation and tumor progression. Given the well-established role of Yap1 in mechanotransduction, we leveraged this system to investigate the effects of Yap1 on the ECM and CD8+ T cell function in UPS. We discovered that loss of UPS-cell intrinsic Yap1 reduced the proportion of dysfunctional CD8+ T cells in the TME and enhanced T cell cytolytic capacity. Yap1 loss also downregulated expression of multiple collagen genes in UPS cells and bulk tumors, including those that encode collagen type VI (ColVI). ColVI is a beaded microfilament collagen that binds to fibril-forming collagens in the ECM, such as collagen type I (ColI), and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle myopathies. These data suggest that proper ColVI structure and function are critical for normal skeletal muscle physiology, with important implications for muscle-derived tumors such as UPS. Accordingly, COL6A1 was upregulated in human UPS relative to normal skeletal muscle, and inversely associated with UPS patient survival. Moreover, loss of UPS cell-intrinsic Col6a1 suppressed tumor progression, enhanced T cell cytolytic function, and attenuated CD8+ T cell exhaustion, phenocopying the effects of Yap1 deletion. Mechanistically, Yap1-mediated ColVI deposition promoted CD8+ T cell dysfunction by remodeling ColI networks in the UPS TME, and inhibiting T cell autophagic flux. Furthermore, ColI depletion dramatically increased tumor growth in an immunocompetent setting. Our findings reveal a novel role for UPS cell-intrinsic Yap1 in immune activation, and demonstrate that ColVI and ColI have opposing functions downstream of Yap in this context. These results underscore the need to systematically evaluate the roles of individual ECM components in the regulation of immune cell function, and implicate YAP1 and/or COLVI targeting as potential strategies for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy in human patients.
Citation Format: Ashley M. Fuller, Hawley C. Pruitt, Hoogeun Song, Ying Liu, Ann Devine, Rohan S. Katti, Samir Devalaraja, Gabrielle E. Ciotti, Michael Gonzalez, Erik F. Williams, Ileana Murazzi, Nicolas Skuli, Hakon Hakonarson, Kristy Weber, Malay Haldar, Joseph A. Fraietta, Sharon Gerecht, T. S. Karin Eisinger-Mathason. Oncogene-induced matrix reorganization controls CD8+ T cell immunity in the UPS microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Sarcomas; 2022 May 9-12; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2022;28(18_Suppl):Abstract nr PR001.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M. Fuller
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | | | - Hoogeun Song
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Ying Liu
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Ann Devine
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Rohan S. Katti
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Samir Devalaraja
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | | | | | - Erik F. Williams
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | | | - Nicolas Skuli
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | | | - Kristy Weber
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Malay Haldar
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Joseph A. Fraietta
- 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alsheikh HAM, Metge BJ, Pruitt HC, Kammerud SC, Chen D, Wei S, Shevde LA, Samant RS. Disruption of STAT5A and NMI signaling axis leads to ISG20-driven metastatic mammary tumors. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:45. [PMID: 34078871 PMCID: PMC8172570 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00333-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics of developmental processes are repurposed by cancer cells to support cancer initiation and progression. Disruption of the delicate balance between cellular differentiation and plasticity during mammary development leads to breast cancer initiation and metastatic progression. STAT5A is essential for differentiation of secretory mammary alveolar epithelium. Active STAT5A characterizes breast cancer patients for favorable prognosis. N-Myc and STAT Interactor protein (NMI) was initially discovered as a protein that interacts with various STATs; however, the relevance of these interactions to normal mammary development and cancer was not known. We observe that NMI protein is expressed in the mammary ductal epithelium at the onset of puberty and is induced in pregnancy. NMI protein is decreased in 70% of patient specimens with metastatic breast cancer compared to primary tumors. Here we present our finding that NMI and STAT5A cooperatively mediate normal mammary development. Loss of NMI in vivo caused a decrease in STAT5A activity in normal mammary epithelial as well as breast cancer cells. Analysis of STAT5A mammary specific controlled genetic program in the context of NMI knockout revealed ISG20 (interferon stimulated exonuclease gene 20, a protein involved in rRNA biogenesis) as an unfailing negatively regulated target. Role of ISG20 has never been described in metastatic process of mammary tumors. We observed that overexpression of ISG20 is increased in metastases compared to matched primary breast tumor tissues. Our observations reveal that NMI-STAT5A mediated signaling keeps a check on ISG20 expression via miR-17–92 cluster. We show that uncontrolled ISG20 expression drives tumor progression and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon J Metge
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hawley C Pruitt
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sarah C Kammerud
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dongquan Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shi Wei
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. .,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. .,Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Metge BJ, Kammerud SC, Pruitt HC, Shevde LA, Samant RS. Hypoxia re-programs 2'-O-Me modifications on ribosomal RNA. iScience 2020; 24:102010. [PMID: 33490918 PMCID: PMC7811136 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.102010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is one of the critical stressors encountered by various cells of the human body under diverse pathophysiologic conditions including cancer and has profound impacts on several metabolic and physiologic processes. Hypoxia prompts internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation of key genes, such as VEGF, that are vital for tumor progression. Here, we describe that hypoxia remarkably upregulates RNA Polymerase I activity. We discovered that in hypoxia, rRNA shows a different methylation pattern compared to normoxia. Heterogeneity in ribosomes due to the diversity of ribosomal RNA and protein composition has been postulated to generate “specialized ribosomes” that differentially regulate translation. We find that in hypoxia, a sub-set of differentially methylated ribosomes recognizes the VEGF-C IRES, suggesting that ribosomal heterogeneity allows for altered ribosomal functions in hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia stimulates RNA Pol I activity In hypoxia, a pool of specialized rRNA translates VEGFC IRES Hypoxia changes 2′-O-Me modification - epitranscriptomic marks on rRNA
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Metge
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI 320E 1824 6 Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Sarah C Kammerud
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI 320E 1824 6 Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Hawley C Pruitt
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI 320E 1824 6 Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI 320E 1824 6 Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI 320E 1824 6 Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.,Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wei Z, Schnellmann R, Pruitt HC, Gerecht S. Hydrogel Network Dynamics Regulate Vascular Morphogenesis. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 27:798-812.e6. [PMID: 32931729 PMCID: PMC7655724 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Matrix dynamics influence how individual cells develop into complex multicellular tissues. Here, we develop hydrogels with identical polymer components but different crosslinking capacities to enable the investigation of mechanisms underlying vascular morphogenesis. We show that dynamic (D) hydrogels increase the contractility of human endothelial colony-forming cells (hECFCs), promote the clustering of integrin β1, and promote the recruitment of vinculin, leading to the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and metalloproteinase expression. This leads to the robust assembly of vasculature and the deposition of new basement membrane. We also show that non-dynamic (N) hydrogels do not promote FAK signaling and that stiff D- and N-hydrogels are constrained for vascular morphogenesis. Furthermore, D-hydrogels promote hECFC microvessel formation and angiogenesis in vivo. Our results indicate that cell contractility mediates integrin signaling via inside-out signaling and emphasizes the importance of matrix dynamics in vascular tissue formation, thus informing future studies of vascularization and tissue engineering applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Wei
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Rahel Schnellmann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hawley C Pruitt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pruitt HC, Lewis D, Ciccaglione M, Connor S, Smith Q, Hickey JW, Schneck JP, Gerecht S. Collagen fiber structure guides 3D motility of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Matrix Biol 2020; 85-86:147-159. [PMID: 30776427 PMCID: PMC6697628 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Lymphocyte motility is governed by a complex array of mechanisms, and highly dependent on external microenvironmental cues. Tertiary lymphoid sites in particular have unique physical structure such as collagen fiber alignment, due to matrix deposition and remodeling. Three dimensional studies of human lymphocytes in such environments are lacking. We hypothesized that aligned collagenous environment modulates CD8+ T cells motility. We encapsulated activated CD8+ T cells in collagen hydrogels of distinct fiber alignment, a characteristic of tumor microenvironments. We found that human CD8+ T cells move faster and more persistently in aligned collagen fibers compared with nonaligned collagen fibers. Moreover, CD8+ T cells move along the axis of collagen alignment. We showed that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibition could nullify the effect of aligned collagen on CD8+ T cell motility patterns by decreasing T cell turning in unaligned collagen fiber gels. Finally, as an example of a tertiary lymphoid site, we found that xenograft prostate tumors exhibit highly aligned collagen fibers. We observed CD8+ T cells alongside aligned collagen fibers, and found that they are mostly concentrated in the periphery of tumors. Overall, using an in vitro controlled hydrogel system, we show that collagen fiber organization modulates CD8+ T cells movement via MLCK activation thus providing basis for future studies into relevant therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hawley C Pruitt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel Lewis
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark Ciccaglione
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sydney Connor
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Quinton Smith
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John W Hickey
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan P Schneck
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Materials Sciecne and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Oncology, School of Johns Hof Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hickey JW, Dong Y, Chung JW, Salathe SF, Pruitt HC, Li X, Chang C, Fraser AK, Bessell CA, Ewald AJ, Gerecht S, Mao HQ, Schneck JP. Engineering an Artificial T-Cell Stimulating Matrix for Immunotherapy. Adv Mater 2019; 31:e1807359. [PMID: 30968468 PMCID: PMC8601018 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201807359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
T cell therapies require the removal and culture of T cells ex vivo to expand several thousand-fold. However, these cells often lose the phenotype and cytotoxic functionality for mediating effective therapeutic responses. The extracellular matrix (ECM) has been used to preserve and augment cell phenotype; however, it has not been applied to cellular immunotherapies. Here, a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel is engineered to present the two stimulatory signals required for T-cell activation-termed an artificial T-cell stimulating matrix (aTM). It is found that biophysical properties of the aTM-stimulatory ligand density, stiffness, and ECM proteins-potentiate T cell signaling and skew phenotype of both murine and human T cells. Importantly, the combination of the ECM environment and mechanically sensitive TCR signaling from the aTM results in a rapid and robust expansion of rare, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Adoptive transfer of these tumor-specific cells significantly suppresses tumor growth and improves animal survival compared with T cells stimulated by traditional methods. Beyond immediate immunotherapeutic applications, demonstrating the environment influences the cellular therapeutic product delineates the importance of the ECM and provides a case study of how to engineer ECM-mimetic materials for therapeutic immune stimulation in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Hickey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Yi Dong
- Graduate Program in Immunology, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jae Wook Chung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Sebastian F Salathe
- Department of Biology, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Hawley C Pruitt
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Calvin Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Andrew K Fraser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Catherine A Bessell
- Graduate Program in Immunology, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Andrew J Ewald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Hai-Quan Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Jonathan P Schneck
- Institute for Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Blatchley MR, Hall F, Wang S, Pruitt HC, Gerecht S. Hypoxia and matrix viscoelasticity sequentially regulate endothelial progenitor cluster-based vasculogenesis. Sci Adv 2019; 5:eaau7518. [PMID: 30906859 PMCID: PMC6426463 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau7518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Vascular morphogenesis is the formation of endothelial lumenized networks. Cluster-based vasculogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has been observed in animal models, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, using O2-controllabe hydrogels, we unveil the mechanism by which hypoxia, co-jointly with matrix viscoelasticity, induces EPC vasculogenesis. When EPCs are subjected to a 3D hypoxic gradient ranging from <2 to 5%, they rapidly produce reactive oxygen species that up-regulate proteases, most notably MMP-1, which degrade the surrounding extracellular matrix. EPC clusters form and expand as the matrix degrades. Cell-cell interactions, including those mediated by VE-cadherin, integrin-β2, and ICAM-1, stabilize the clusters. Subsequently, EPC sprouting into the stiffer, intact matrix leads to vascular network formation. In vivo examination further corroborated hypoxia-driven clustering of EPCs. Overall, this is the first description of how hypoxia mediates cluster-based vasculogenesis, advancing our understanding toward regulating vascular development as well as postnatal vasculogenesis in regeneration and tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Blatchley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Franklyn Hall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Songnan Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hawley C. Pruitt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lin VTG, Pruitt HC, Samant RS, Shevde LA. Developing Cures: Targeting Ontogenesis in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2017; 3:126-136. [PMID: 28718443 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer has long been known to histologically resemble developing embryonic tissue. Since this early observation, a mounting body of evidence suggests that cancer mimics or co-opts developmental processes to facilitate tumor initiation and progression. Programs important in both normal ontogenesis and cancer progression broadly fall into three domains: the lineage commitment of pluripotent stem cells, the appropriation of primordial mechanisms of cell motility and invasion, and the influence of multiple aspects of the microenvironment on the parenchyma. In this review we discuss how derangements in these developmental pathways drive cancer progression with a particular focus on how they have emerged as targets of novel treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor T G Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Hawley C Pruitt
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pruitt HC, Metge BJ, Bailey SK, Shevde LA, Samant RS. Abstract 657: N-Myc and STAT Interactor knock out in the mammary epithelium prompts hyper-proliferation. Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2016-657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
N-Myc and STAT Interactor (NMI) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that is widely expressed in fetal and adult tissues. Early studies implicated its role in regulating the activities of transcription factors (such as MYC, STATs, BRCA1, TIP60 etc.) critical to tumor progression and metastasis. However, the functional relevance of these regulatory activities of NMI remains unknown. Recent findings from our lab have revealed that NMI protein expression is decreased by 70% in primary tumor specimens from patients with metastatic breast cancer. Most recently, we have found that lack of NMI expression in breast cancer cells confers resistance to chemotherapy by blocking autophagy-induced cell death. Thus the status of NMI expression in breast cancer patients may be an important clinical consideration. Additionally, our functional studies have demonstrated that loss of NMI expression allows manifestation of TGFβ and Wnt driven EMT that results in increased invasion and metastatic dissemination. Overall, we have noticed a profound impact of NMI on multiple developmental signaling pathways that are essential for mammary development as well as tumor progression.
To further elucidate the biological role of NMI, we have created a genetically engineered mammary specific Nmi knock out model. We observed that in normal murine mammary tissue Nmi is expressed in the mammary epithelium during all stages of mammary development. However, it's expression is strikingly induced at the onset of pregnancy, implicating an important role of NMI in mammary ductal development and/or lactation. Remarkably, the Nmi knock out mice exhibit distinctly increased number of alveolar structures (30% more than in control mice) during lactation. Moreover, these Nmi-/- mammary glands also show 20% more proliferating mammary epithelial cells (MECs) compared to respective littermate controls. In addition, 3D-alveologenesis of Nmi knock out MECs is highly responsive to induction by growth factors such as TGFα and FGFs when compared to MECs from littermate controls. Hyper-proliferative phenotype has been implicated as one of the key factors for breast cancer initiation as well as progression. Overall, our work describes a direct evidence for the role of NMI as a key regulator of mammary epithelial cell proliferation.
Citation Format: Hawley C. Pruitt, Brandon J. Metge, Sarah K. Bailey, Lalita A. Shevde, Rajeev S. Samant. N-Myc and STAT Interactor knock out in the mammary epithelium prompts hyper-proliferation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 657.
Collapse
|
12
|
Samant RS, Pruitt HC, Metge BJ, Shevde LA. Abstract A11: N-Myc and STAT interactor (NMI): A regulator of developmental signaling and EMT. Mol Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1557-3125.devbiolca15-a11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The NMI protein associates with known key transcription factors such as Myc and STATs and serves as a critical regulatory co-factor that dictates specialized functions. While a physiological function for NMI is yet unknown, it has potential roles in pathologies ranging from viral infection to cancer. We will present pioneering work from our laboratory showing that NMI impacts two major developmental signaling pathways - TGFβ and Wnt pathways.
EMT is one of the key phenomena underlying normal embryonic and organ development, with a vital role in metastatic progression. We discovered that the expression of NMI is significantly downregulated in metastatic breast tumors. We recapitulated this by stably silencing the expression of NMI in breast cancer cells. Abrogating NMI expression from epithelial-like breast cancer cells enabled cells to assume a mesenchymal-like phenotype. Detailed molecular and functional investigations revealed that this mesenchymal transition was facilitated by decreased STAT5 signaling that caused concomitant reduction in SMAD7 expression and manifestation of a TGFβ-driven EMT program.
In contrast, breast cancer cells restored for NMI expression showed autophagic vacuoles and LC3 processing. We found that NMI expression restricts Wnt/β-catenin signaling by upregulation of the secreted Wnt inhibitor, DKK1. Thus NMI prompts activation of GSK3-β, a key kinase upstream of the TSC1/TSC2 complex. Inhibition of GSK3-ββin NMI expressing cells activated mTOR signaling and decreased the cells’ autophagic response. Autophagy is a determinant of cellular survival through dormancy and cytotoxic drug insult. Rapid progression of autophagy leads to cell death. In agreement with our molecular analyses, we determined that abrogation of NMI expression rendered cells resistant to cisplatin and doxorubicin.
Our findings elicit interesting possibilities about the role of NMI in regulating EMT and autophagy. Evidence from our investigations strongly suggests that loss of NMI leading to aberrant activation of multiple developmental signaling pathways, may be a vital event in the progression of breast cancer characterized by reduced autophagy and stabilization of transcription factors that function as major drivers of EMT.
Citation Format: Rajeev S. Samant, Hawley C. Pruitt, Brandon J. Metge, Lalita A. Shevde. N-Myc and STAT interactor (NMI): A regulator of developmental signaling and EMT. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Developmental Biology and Cancer; Nov 30-Dec 3, 2015; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(4_Suppl):Abstract nr A11.
Collapse
|
13
|
Pruitt HC, Devine DJ, Samant RS. Roles of N-Myc and STAT interactor in cancer: From initiation to dissemination. Int J Cancer 2016; 139:491-500. [PMID: 26874464 PMCID: PMC5069610 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
N‐myc & STAT Interactor, NMI, is a protein that has mostly been studied for its physical interactions with transcription factors that play critical roles in tumor growth, progression and metastasis. NMI is an inducible protein, thus its intracellular levels and location can vary dramatically, influencing a diverse array of cellular functions in a context‐dependent manner. The physical interactions of NMI with its binding partners have been linked to many aspects of tumor biology including DNA damage response, cell death, epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and stemness. Thus, discovering more details about the function(s) of NMI could reveal key insights into how transcription factors like c‐Myc, STATs and BRCA1 are contextually regulated. Although a normal, physiological function of NMI has not yet been discovered, it has potential roles in pathologies ranging from viral infection to cancer. This review provides a timely perspective of the unfolding roles of NMI with specific focus on cancer progression and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hawley C Pruitt
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, AL
| | | | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, AL
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rostas JW, Pruitt HC, Metge BJ, Mitra A, Bailey SK, Bae S, Singh KP, Devine DJ, Dyess DL, Richards WO, Tucker JA, Shevde LA, Samant RS. microRNA-29 negatively regulates EMT regulator N-myc interactor in breast cancer. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:200. [PMID: 25174825 PMCID: PMC4169820 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N-Myc Interactor is an inducible protein whose expression is compromised in advanced stage breast cancer. Downregulation of NMI, a gatekeeper of epithelial phenotype, in breast tumors promotes mesenchymal, invasive and metastatic phenotype of the cancer cells. Thus the mechanisms that regulate expression of NMI are of potential interest for understanding the etiology of breast tumor progression and metastasis. METHOD Web based prediction algorithms were used to identify miRNAs that potentially target the NMI transcript. Luciferase reporter assays and western blot analysis were used to confirm the ability of miR-29 to target NMI. Quantitive-RT-PCRs were used to examine levels of miR29 and NMI from cell line and patient specimen derived RNA. The functional impact of miR-29 on EMT phenotype was evaluated using transwell migration as well as monitoring 3D matrigel growth morphology. Anti-miRs were used to examine effects of reducing miR-29 levels from cells. Western blots were used to examine changes in GSK3β phosphorylation status. The impact on molecular attributes of EMT was evaluated using immunocytochemistry, qRT-PCRs as well as Western blot analyses. RESULTS Invasive, mesenchymal-like breast cancer cell lines showed increased levels of miR-29. Introduction of miR-29 into breast cancer cells (with robust level of NMI) resulted in decreased NMI expression and increased invasion, whereas treatment of cells with high miR-29 and low NMI levels with miR-29 antagonists increased NMI expression and decreased invasion. Assessment of 2D and 3D growth morphologies revealed an EMT promoting effect of miR-29. Analysis of mRNA of NMI and miR-29 from patient derived breast cancer tumors showed a strong, inverse relationship between the expression of NMI and the miR-29. Our studies also revealed that in the absence of NMI, miR-29 expression is upregulated due to unrestricted Wnt/β-catenin signaling resulting from inactivation of GSK3β. CONCLUSION Aberrant miR-29 expression may account for reduced NMI expression in breast tumors and mesenchymal phenotype of cancer cells that promotes invasive growth. Reduction in NMI levels has a feed-forward impact on miR-29 levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack W Rostas
- />Department of Surgery, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL USA
| | - Hawley C Pruitt
- />Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI-320E, 1824 6th avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Brandon J Metge
- />Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI-320E, 1824 6th avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Aparna Mitra
- />Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL USA
| | - Sarah K Bailey
- />Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI-320E, 1824 6th avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Sejong Bae
- />BBSF-Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
- />Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Karan P Singh
- />BBSF-Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
- />Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Daniel J Devine
- />Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL USA
| | - Donna L Dyess
- />Department of Surgery, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL USA
| | | | - J Allan Tucker
- />Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- />Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI-320E, 1824 6th avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
- />Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- />Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, WTI-320E, 1824 6th avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
- />Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
McCoy EM, Hong H, Pruitt HC, Feng X. IL-11 produced by breast cancer cells augments osteoclastogenesis by sustaining the pool of osteoclast progenitor cells. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:16. [PMID: 23311882 PMCID: PMC3554506 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin (IL)-11, a cytokine produced by breast cancer, has been implicated in breast cancer-induced osteolysis (bone destruction) but the mechanism(s) of action remain controversial. Some studies show that IL-11 is able to promote osteoclast formation independent of the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), while others demonstrate IL-11 can induce osteoclast formation by inducing osteoblasts to secrete RANKL. This work aims to further investigate the role of IL-11 in metastasis-induced osteolysis by addressing a new hypothesis that IL-11 exerts effects on osteoclast progenitor cells. METHODS To address the precise role of breast cancer-derived IL-11 in osteoclastogenesis, we determined the effect of breast cancer conditioned media on osteoclast progenitor cells with or without an IL-11 neutralizing antibody. We next investigated whether recombinant IL-11 exerts effects on osteoclast progenitor cells and survival of mature osteoclasts. Finally, we examined the ability of IL-11 to mediate osteoclast formation in tissue culture dishes and on bone slices in the absence of RANKL, with suboptimal levels of RANKL, or from RANKL-pretreated murine bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). RESULTS We found that freshly isolated murine bone marrow cells cultured in the presence of breast cancer conditioned media for 6 days gave rise to a population of cells which were able to form osteoclasts upon treatment with RANKL and M-CSF. Moreover, a neutralizing anti-IL-11 antibody significantly inhibited the ability of breast cancer conditioned media to promote the development and/or survival of osteoclast progenitor cells. Similarly, recombinant IL-11 was able to sustain a population of osteoclast progenitor cells. However, IL-11 was unable to exert any effect on osteoclast survival, induce osteoclastogenesis independent of RANKL, or promote osteoclastogenesis in suboptimal RANKL conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that a) IL-11 plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis by stimulating the development and/or survival of osteoclast progenitor cells and b) breast cancer may promote osteolysis in part by increasing the pool of osteoclast progenitor cells via tumor cell-derived IL-11. However, given the heterogeneous nature of the bone marrow cells, the precise mechanism by which IL-11 treatment gives rise to a population of osteoclast progenitor cells warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin M McCoy
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|