1
|
McAloney CA, Makkawi R, Budhathoki Y, Cannon MV, Franz EM, Gross AC, Cam M, Vetter TA, Duhen R, Davies AE, Roberts RD. Host-derived growth factors drive ERK phosphorylation and MCL1 expression to promote osteosarcoma cell survival during metastatic lung colonization. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:259-282. [PMID: 37676378 PMCID: PMC10899530 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00867-w] [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] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE For patients with osteosarcoma, disease-related mortality most often results from lung metastasis-a phenomenon shared with many solid tumors. While established metastatic lesions behave aggressively, very few of the tumor cells that reach the lung will survive. By identifying mechanisms that facilitate survival of disseminated tumor cells, we can develop therapeutic strategies that prevent and treat metastasis. METHODS We analyzed single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) data from murine metastasis-bearing lungs to interrogate changes in both host and tumor cells during colonization. We used these data to elucidate pathways that become activated in cells that survive dissemination and identify candidate host-derived signals that drive activation. We validated these findings through live cell reporter systems, immunocytochemistry, and fluorescent immunohistochemistry. We then validated the functional relevance of key candidates using pharmacologic inhibition in models of metastatic osteosarcoma. RESULTS Expression patterns suggest that the MAPK pathway is significantly elevated in early and established metastases. MAPK activity correlates with expression of anti-apoptotic genes, especially MCL1. Niche cells produce growth factors that increase ERK phosphorylation and MCL1 expression in tumor cells. Both early and established metastases are vulnerable to MCL1 inhibition, but not MEK inhibition in vivo. Combining MCL1 inhibition with chemotherapy both prevented colonization and eliminated established metastases in murine models of osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION Niche-derived growth factors drive MAPK activity and MCL1 expression in osteosarcoma, promoting metastatic colonization. Although later metastases produce less MCL1, they remain dependent on it. MCL1 is a promising target for clinical trials in both human and canine patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camille A McAloney
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rawan Makkawi
- Knight Cancer Institute's, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Yogesh Budhathoki
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Matthew V Cannon
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Emily M Franz
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amy C Gross
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Maren Cam
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tatyana A Vetter
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rebekka Duhen
- Knight Cancer Institute's, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Alexander E Davies
- Knight Cancer Institute's, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Ryan D Roberts
- Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
- The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|