Structure basis for AA98 inhibition on the activation of endothelial cells mediated by CD146

Enhancing tumor endothelial permeability using MUC18-targeted gold nanorods and mild hyperthermia

The Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect, an elevated accumulation of drugs and nanoparticles in tumors versus in normal tissues, is a widely used concept in the field of cancer therapy. It assumes that the vasculature of solid tumors would possess abnormal, leaky endothelial cell barriers, allowing easy access of intravenous-delivered drugs and nanoparticles to tumor regions. However, the EPR effect is not always effective owing to the heterogeneity of tumor endothelium over time, location, and species. Herein, we introduce a unique nanoparticle-based approach, using MUC18-targeted gold nanorods coupled with mild hyperthermia, to specifically enhance tumor endothelial permeability. This improves the efficacy of traditional cancer therapy including photothermal therapy and anticancer drug delivery by increasing the transport of photo-absorbers and drugs across the tumor endothelium. Using single cell imaging tools and classic analytical approaches in molecular biology, we demonstrate that MUC18-targeted gold nanorods and mild hyperthermia enlarge the intercellular gaps of tumor endothelium by inducing circumferential actin remodeling, stress fiber formation, and cell contraction of adjacent endothelial cells. Considering MUC18 is overexpressed on a variety of tumor endothelium and cancer cells, this approach paves a new avenue to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy by actively enhancing the tumor endothelial permeability.

CD146, a therapeutic target involved in cell plasticity

Since its identification as a marker for advanced melanoma in the 1980s, CD146 has been found to have multiple functions in both physiological and pathological processes, including embryonic development, tissue repair and regeneration, tumor progression, fibrosis disease, and inflammations. Subsequent research has revealed that CD146 is involved in various signaling pathways as a receptor or co-receptor in these processes. This correlation between CD146 and multiple diseases has sparked interest in its potential applications in diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy. To better comprehend the versatile roles of CD146, we have summarized its research history and synthesized findings from numerous reports, proposing that cell plasticity serves as the underlying mechanism through which CD146 contributes to development, regeneration, and various diseases. Targeting CD146 would consequently halt cell state shifting during the onset and progression of these related diseases. Therefore, the development of therapy targeting CD146 holds significant practical value.

A Cell Surface-Binding Antibody Atlas Nominates a MUC18-Directed Antibody-Drug Conjugate for Targeting Melanoma

Recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have substantially improved the treatment of melanoma. However, therapeutic strategies are still needed for unresponsive or treatment-relapsed patients with melanoma. To discover antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-tractable cell surface targets for melanoma, we developed an atlas of melanoma cell surface-binding antibodies (pAb) using a proteome-scale antibody array platform. Target identification of pAbs led to development of melanoma cell killing ADCs against LGR6, TRPM1, ASAP1, and MUC18, among others. MUC18 was overexpressed in both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating blood vessels across major melanoma subtypes, making it a potential dual-compartment and universal melanoma therapeutic target. AMT-253, an MUC18-directed ADC based on topoisomerase I inhibitor exatecan and a self-immolative T moiety, had a higher therapeutic index compared with its microtubule inhibitor-based counterpart and favorable pharmacokinetics and tolerability in monkeys. AMT-253 exhibited MUC18-specific cytotoxicity through DNA damage and apoptosis and a strong bystander killing effect, leading to potent antitumor activities against melanoma cell line and patient-derived xenograft models. Tumor vasculature targeting by a mouse MUC18-specific antibody-T1000-exatecan conjugate inhibited tumor growth in human melanoma xenografts. Combination therapy of AMT-253 with an antiangiogenic agent generated higher efficacy than single agent in a mucosal melanoma model. Beyond melanoma, AMT-253 was also efficacious in a wide range of MUC18-expressing solid tumors. Efficient target/antibody discovery in combination with the T moiety-exatecan linker-payload exemplified here may facilitate discovery of new ADC to improve cancer treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE

Discovery of melanoma-targeting antibodies using a proteome-scale array and use of a cutting-edge linker-payload system led to development of a MUC18-targeting antibody-exatecan conjugate with clinical potential for treating major melanoma subtypes.

CD146 promotes malignant progression of breast phyllodes tumor through suppressing DCBLD2 degradation and activating the AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

As a rapid-progressing tumor, breast malignant phyllodes tumors (PTs) are challenged by the lack of effective therapeutic strategies and suitable prognostic markers. This study aimed to clarify the role and mechanism of CD146 on promoting PTs malignant progression, and to identify a novel prognosis marker and treatment target of breast malignant PTs.

METHODS

The expression and prognostic significance of CD146 in PTs was detected through single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), immunostaining, real-time PCR and other methodologies. Functional experiments including proliferation assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay, and collagen contraction assay were conducted to validate the role of CD146 in malignant progression of PTs. The efficacy of anti-CD146 monoclonal antibody AA98 against malignant PTs was corroborated by a malignant PT organoid model and a PT patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Transcriptome sequencing, proteomic analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and pull-down assay was employed to identify the modulating pathway and additional molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

In this study, the scRNA-seq analysis of PTs disclosed a CD146-positive characteristic in the α-SMA+ fibroblast subset. Furthermore, a progressive elevation in the level of CD146 was observed with the malignant progression of PTs. More importantly, CD146 was found to serve as an independent predictor for recurrence in PT patients. Furthermore, CD146 was found to augment the viability and invasion of PTs. Mechanistically, CD146 acted as a protective "shield" to prevent the degradation of Discoidin, CUB, and LCCL domain-containing protein 2 (DCBLD2), thereby activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway and enhancing malignant behaviors of PT cells. In the malignant PT organoid and PDX model, a significant suppression of malignant PT growth was observed after the application of AA98.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that CD146 served as an efficacious marker for predicting PT malignant progression and showed promise as a prognosis marker and treatment target of breast malignant PTs. The study further unveiled the essential role of the CD146-DCBLD2/PI3K/AKT axis in the malignant progression of PTs.

CD146 as a promising therapeutic target for retinal and choroidal neovascularization diseases

Blood vessel dysfunction causes several retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization in pathological myopia. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-neutralizing proteins provide benefits in most of those diseases, yet unsolved haemorrhage and frequent intraocular injections still bothered patients. Here, we identified endothelial CD146 as a new target for retinal diseases. CD146 expression was activated in two ocular pathological angiogenesis models, a laser-induced choroid neovascularization model and an oxygen-induced retinopathy model. The absence of CD146 impaired hypoxia-induced cell migration and angiogenesis both in cell lines and animal model. Preventive or therapeutic treatment with anti-CD146 antibody AA98 significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced aberrant retinal angiogenesis in two retinal disease models. Mechanistically, under hypoxia condition, CD146 was involved in the activation of NFκB, Erk and Akt signalling pathways, which are partially independent of VEGF. Consistently, anti-CD146 therapy combined with anti-VEGF therapy showed enhanced impairment effect of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Given the critical role of abnormal angiogenesis in retinal and choroidal diseases, our results provide novel insights into combinatorial therapy for neovascular fundus diseases.

CD146 bound to LCK promotes T cell receptor signaling and antitumor immune responses in mice

Initiation of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling involves the activation of the tyrosine kinase LCK; however, it is currently unclear how LCK is recruited and activated. Here, we have identified the membrane protein CD146 as an essential member of the TCR network for LCK activation. CD146 deficiency in T cells substantially impaired thymocyte development and peripheral activation, both of which depend on TCR signaling. CD146 was found to directly interact with the SH3 domain of coreceptor-free LCK via its cytoplasmic domain. Interestingly, we found CD146 to be present in both monomeric and dimeric forms in T cells, with the dimerized form increasing after TCR ligation. Increased dimerized CD146 recruited LCK and promoted LCK autophosphorylation. In tumor models, CD146 deficiency dramatically impaired the antitumor response of T cells. Together, our data reveal an LCK activation mechanism for TCR initiation. We also underscore a rational intervention based on CD146 for tumor immunotherapy.