Stimulation of cell surface plasminogen activation by membrane-bound melanotransferrin: a key phenomenon for cell invasion

Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Extravasation in Brain Metastasis of Breast Cancer, Melanoma, and Lung Cancer

Brain metastasis is an incurable end-stage of systemic cancer associated with poor prognosis, and its incidence is increasing. Brain metastasis occurs through a multi-step cascade where cancer cells spread from the primary tumor site to the brain. The extravasation of tumor cells through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical step in brain metastasis. During extravasation, circulating cancer cells roll along the brain endothelium (BE), adhere to it, then induce alterations in the endothelial barrier to transmigrate through the BBB and enter the brain. Rolling and adhesion are generally mediated by selectins and adhesion molecules induced by inflammatory mediators, while alterations in the endothelial barrier are mediated by proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinase, and the transmigration step mediated by factors, including chemokines. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating extravasation are not yet fully understood. A better understanding of these mechanisms is essential as it may serve as the basis for the development of therapeutic strategies for the prevention or treatment of brain metastases. In this review, we summarize the molecular events that occur during the extravasation of cancer cells through the blood-brain barrier in three types of cancer most likely to develop brain metastasis: breast cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer. Common molecular mechanisms driving extravasation in these different tumors are discussed.

Identification of a four-gene panel predicting overall survival for lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed carcinoma and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Although molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy have made great progress, the overall survival (OS) is still poor due to a lack of accurate and available prognostic biomarkers. Therefore, in this study we aimed to establish a multiple-gene panel predicting OS for lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We obtained the mRNA expression and clinical data of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) from TCGA database for further integrated bioinformatic analysis. Lasso regression and Cox regression were performed to establish a prognosis model based on a multi-gene panel. A nomogram based on this model was constructed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Kaplan–Meier curve were used to assess the predicted capacity of the model. The prognosis value of the multi-gene panel was further validated in TCGA-LUAD patients with EGFR, KRAS and TP53 mutation and a dataset from GEO. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore potential biological mechanisms of a novel prognostic gene signature.

Results

A four-gene panel (including DKK1, GNG7, LDHA, MELTF) was established for LUAD prognostic indicator. The ROC curve revealed good predicted performance in both test cohort (AUC = 0.740) and validation cohort (AUC = 0.752). Each patient was calculated a risk score according to the model based on the four-gene panel. The results showed that the risk score was an independent prognostic factor, and the high-risk group had a worse OS compared with the low-risk group. The nomogram based on this model showed good prediction performance. The four-gene panel was still good predictors for OS in LUAD patients with TP53 and KRAS mutations. GSEA revealed that the four genes may be significantly related to the metabolism of genetic material, especially the regulation of cell cycle pathway.

Conclusion

Our study proposed a novel four-gene panel to predict the OS of LUAD, which may contribute to predicting prognosis accurately and making the clinical decisions of individual therapy for LUAD patients.

The membrane-bound and soluble form of melanotransferrin function independently in the diagnosis and targeted therapy of lung cancer

Melanotransferrin (MFI2) is a newly identified tumor-associated protein, which consists of two forms of proteins, membrane-bound (mMFI2) and secretory (sMFI2). However, little is known about the expression pattern and their relevance in lung cancer. Here, we found that both two forms of MFI2 are highly expressed in lung cancer. The expression of MFI2 in lung cancer was detected by using the public database and qRT-PCR. Overexpression and knockdown cell lines and recombinant sMFI2 protein were used to study the function of mMFI2 and sMFI2. RNA-seq, protein chip, ChIP assay, Immunoprecipitation, ELISA, and immunofluorescence were used to study the molecular biological mechanism of mMFI2 and sMFI2. We found that mMFI2 promoted the expression of EMT’s common marker N-cadherin by downregulating the transcription factor KLI4, which in turn promoted tumor metastasis; sMFI2 could promote the metastasis of autologous tumor cells in an autocrine manner but the mechanism is different from that of mMFI2. In addition, sMFI2 was proved could inhibit the migration of vascular endothelial cells and subsequently enhance angiogenic responses in a paracrine manner. We propose that the expressions and functions of the two forms of MFI2 in lung cancer are relatively independent. Specifically, mMFI2 was a potential lung cancer therapeutic target, while sMFI2 was highly enriched in advanced lung cancer, and could be used as a tumor staging index.

Melanotransferrin: search for a function

BACKGROUND

Melanotransferrin was discovered in the 1980s as one of the first melanoma tumour antigens. The molecule is a transferrin homologue that is found predominantly bound to the cell membrane by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor. MTf was described as an oncofoetal antigen expressed in only small quantities in normal tissues, but in much larger amounts in neoplastic cells. Several diseases are associated with expression of melanotransferrin, including melanoma and Alzheimer's disease, although the significance of the protein to the pathogenesis of these conditions remains unclear.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

In this review, we discuss the roles of melanotransferrin in physiological and pathological processes and its potential use as an immunotherapy.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Although the exact biological functions of melanotransferrin remain elusive, a growing number of roles have been attributed to the protein, including iron transport/metabolism, angiogenesis, proliferation, cellular migration and tumourigenesis.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The high expression of melanotransferrin in several disease states, particularly malignant melanoma, remains intriguing and may have clinical significance. Further studies on the biology of this protein may provide new insights as well as potential therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Transferrins: Molecular mechanisms of iron transport and disorders.

Inhibition of tumor growth by a truncated and soluble form of melanotransferrin

Melanotransferrin is a glycoprotein expressed at the cell membrane and secreted in the extracellular environment. Recombinant truncated form of membrane-bound melanotransferrin (sMTf) was reported to exert in vitro anti-angiogenic properties. Here we show that sMTf treatment leads to a 50% inhibition of neovascularization in Matrigel implants when stimulated by growth factors. Using a glioblastoma xenograft model, we demonstrate that sMTf delivery at 2.5 and 10 mg/kg/day by micro-osmotic pump inhibits tumor growth by 73% and 91%, respectively. In a lung carcinoma xenograft model, sMTf treatment at 2.5 and 10 mg/kg/day impeded tumor growth by 87% and 97%. Furthermore, subcutaneous glioblastoma and lung carcinoma tumors from mice treated with 10 mg/kg/day of sMTf present insignificant growth toward the study. In association with a reduction in endoglin mRNA expression, the hemoglobin content decreased by half in sMTf-treated glioblastoma tumors. In vitro experiments revealed that NCI-H460 cells treated with sMTf display an inhibition in their invasive capabilities with a concomitant reduction in the expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor protein and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor. Altogether, our results demonstrate that sMTf exerts anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic activities, suggesting that its administration may provide novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer.

Plasminogen-dependent internalization of soluble melanotransferrin involves the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and annexin II

We investigated the effect of plasminogen (Plg) on the internalization of recombinant soluble melanotransferrin (sMTf) using U87 human glioblastoma cells and murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) deficient in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). Using biospecific interaction analysis, both Glu- and Lys-Plg were shown to interact with immobilized sMTf. The binding of sMTf at the cell surface increased in the presence of both forms of Plg in control and in LRP-deficient MEF cells, whereas the uptake was strongly stimulated only by Lys-Plg in control MEF and U87 cells. In addition, in the presence of Lys-Plg, the internalization of sMTf was a saturable process, sensitive to temperature and dependent on the integrity of lysine residues. The addition of the receptor-associated protein, lactoferrin and aprotinin, as well as a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against LRP, inhibited the Lys-Plg-dependent uptake of sMTf. These results suggest an important role for LRP in this process. In addition, using binding and uptake assays in the presence of anti-annexin II mAb, we showed that annexin II might be responsible for the initial binding of sMTf in the presence of Plg. Our results suggest a Plg-mediated internalization mechanism for the clearance of sMTf via annexin II and LRP.

The melanoma tumor antigen, melanotransferrin (p97): a 25-year hallmark – from iron metabolism to tumorigenesis

Melanotransferrin (MTf) or melanoma tumor antigen p97 is a transferrin (Tf) homolog that is found predominantly bound to the cell membrane via a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor. The molecule is a member of the Tf superfamily and binds iron through a single high-affinity iron(III)-binding site. Since its discovery on the plasma membrane of melanoma cells, the function of MTf has remained intriguing, particularly in relation to its role in cancer cell iron transport. In fact, considering the crucial role of iron in many metabolic pathways, e.g., DNA synthesis, it was important to understand the function of MTf in the transport of this vital nutrient. MTf has also been implicated in diverse physiological processes, such as plasminogen activation, angiogenesis and cell migration. However, recent studies using a knockout mouse and post-transcriptional gene silencing have demonstrated that MTf is not involved in iron metabolism, but plays a vital role in melanoma cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the possible biological functions of MTf, particularly in relation to cancer.

Iron uptake and metabolism in the new millennium

Iron is an essential element for metabolic processes intrinsic to life, and yet the properties that make iron a necessity also make it potentially deleterious. To avoid harm, iron homeostasis is achieved through iron transport, storage and regulatory proteins. The functions of some of these molecules are well described, for example transferrin and transferrin receptor-1, whereas the roles of others, such as the transferrin homolog melanotransferrin, remain unclear. The past decade has seen the identification of new molecules involved in iron metabolism, such as divalent metal transporter-1, ferroportin-1, hepcidin, hemojuvelin and heme carrier protein-1. Here, we focus on these intriguing new molecules and the insights gained from them into cellular iron uptake and the regulation of iron metabolism.

Melanotransferrin induces human melanoma SK-Mel-28 cell invasion in vivo

The expression of melanotransferrin (MTf), a membrane-bound glycoprotein highly expressed in melanomas, is correlated with tumor vascularization and progression, suggesting a proinvasive function associated with MTf in malignant tumors. To test this hypothesis, we silenced MTf in human melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and examined the plasmin activity and invasiveness of MTf-silenced melanoma. In vitro, the siRNA-mediated MTf knockdown inhibited by 58% the cell surface activation of plasminogen into plasmin. In addition, decreased expression of MTf in melanoma cells reduced cell migration. In vivo, we used a nude mice invasion model in which tissue factor (TF) induces vascular [125I]-fibrin deposition following injection. Using this metastasis model, the invasive potential of MTf-silenced cells into the lungs was reduced by fivefold. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that MTf overexpression in melanoma cells contributes to tumor progression by stimulating plasmin generation as well as cell migration and invasion.

Potent cytotoxicity of an auristatin-containing antibody-drug conjugate targeting melanoma cells expressing melanotransferrin/p97

Identifying factors that determine the sensitivity or resistance of cancer cells to cytotoxicity by antibody-drug conjugates is essential in the development of such conjugates for therapy. Here the monoclonal antibody L49 is used to target melanotransferrin, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein first identified as p97, a cell-surface marker in melanomas. L49 was conjugated via a proteolytically cleavable valine-citrulline linker to the antimitotic drug, monomethylauristatin F (vcMMAF). Effective drug release from L49-vcMMAF likely requires cellular proteases most commonly located in endosomes and lysosomes. Melanoma cell lines with the highest surface p97 expression (80,000-280,000 sites per cell) were sensitive to L49-vcMMAF whereas most other cancer cell lines with lower p97 expression were resistant, as were normal cells with low copy numbers (< or = 20,000 sites per cell). Cell line sensitivity to L49-vcMMAF was found by immunofluorescence microscopy to correlate with intracellular fate of the conjugate. Specifically, L49-vcMMAF colocalized with the lysosomal marker CD107a within sensitive cell lines such as SK-MEL-5 and A2058. In contrast, in resistant cells expressing lower p97 levels (H3677; 72,000 sites per cell), L49-vcMMAF colocalized with caveolin-1, a protein prominent in caveolae, but not with CD107a. Thus, for antibody-drug conjugates targeting p97, antigen level and trafficking to the lysosomes are important factors for achieving robust in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis with L49 revealed that 62% of metastatic melanoma tumors had strong staining for p97. Overexpression of p97 in melanoma as compared with normal tissue, in conjunction with the greater sensitivity of tumor cells to L49-vcMMAF, supports further evaluation of antibody-drug conjugates for targeting p97-overexpressing tumors.

Stimulation of tPA-dependent provisional extracellular fibrin matrix degradation by human recombinant soluble melanotransferrin

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and its substrate plasminogen (Plg) are key components in the fibrinolytic system. We have recently demonstrated, that truncated human recombinant soluble melanotransferrin (sMTf) could stimulate the activation of Plg by urokinase plasminogen activator and inhibit angiogenesis. Since various angiogenesis inhibitors were shown to stimulate tPA-mediated plasminogen activation, we examined the effects of sMTf on tPA-dependent fibrinolysis. This study demonstrated that sMTf enhanced tPA-activation of Plg by 6-fold. sMTf also increased the release of [125I]-fibrin fragments by tPA-activated plasmin. Moreover, we observed that the interaction of sMTf with Plg provoked a change in the fibrin clot structure by cleaving the fibrin alpha and beta chains. Overall, the present study shows that sMTf modulates tPA-dependent fibrinolysis by modifying the clot structure. These results also suggest that sMTf properties could involve enhanced dissolution of the provisional extracellular fibrin matrix.

Melanotransferrin stimulates t-PA-dependent activation of plasminogen in endothelial cells leading to cell detachment

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is an extracellular serine protease that converts the proenzyme plasminogen into the broad-spectrum substrate serine protease, plasmin. Plasmin, one of the most potent pro-angiogenic factors, is a key element in fibrinolysis, cell migration, tissue remodeling and tumor invasion. In the present investigation, we assessed the impact of the truncated form of soluble melanotransferrin (sMTf) on plasminogen activation by t-PA and subsequent endothelial cell detachment. Co-treatment of human endothelial microvessel cells with plasminogen, t-PA and sMTf significantly increased plasmin formation and activity in the culture medium. Plasmin generated in the presence of sMTf also led to a 30% reduction in fibronectin detection within cell lysates and to a 9-fold increase within the corresponding cell medium. Moreover, the presence of sMTf increases EC detachment by 6-fold compared to cells treated only with plasminogen and t-PA. Although the addition of alpha(2)-antiplasmin completely prevented plasmin formation and EC detachment, epigallocatechin gallate, GM6001 and a specific antibody directed against MMP-2 prevented cellular detachment without interfering with plasminogen activation. Overall, these data suggest that the anti-angiogenic properties of sMTf may result from local overstimulation of plasminogen activation by t-PA, thus leading to subsequent degradation of the Fn matrix and EC detachment.