ADAMTS-1 disrupts HGF/c-MET signaling and HGF-stimulated cellular processes in fibrosarcoma

ADAMTS-1 has nuclear localization in cells with epithelial origin and leads to decreased cell migration

In the study of tumorigenesis, the involvement of molecules within the extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial. ADAMTSs (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs), a group of secreted proteases known for their role in ECM remodeling, were primarily considered to be extracellular proteases. However, our research specifically detected ADAMTS-1, a member of this family, predominantly within the nucleus of mammary cells. Our main objective was to understand the mechanism of ADAMTS-1 translocation to the nucleus and its functional significance in this cellular compartment. Our investigation uncovered that nuclear ADAMTS-1 was present in cells exhibiting an epithelial phenotype, while cells of mesenchymal origin contained the protease in the cytoplasm. Moreover, disruption of ADAMTS-1 secretion, induced by Monensin treatment, resulted in its accumulation in the cytoplasm. Notably, our research indicated that alterations in the secretory pathways could influence the protease's compartmentalization. Additionally, experiments with conditioned medium from cells containing nuclear ADAMTS-1 demonstrated its internalization into the nucleus by HT-1080 cells and fibroblasts. Furthermore, heightened levels of ADAMTS-1 within the ECM reduced the migratory potential of mesenchymal cells. This highlights the potential significance of nuclear ADAMTS-1 as a critical component within the tumor microenvironment due to its functional activity in this specific cellular compartment.

Targeting the hedgehog pathway in MET mutation cancers and its effects on cells associated with cancer development

The mutation of MET plays a crucial role in the initiation of cancer, while the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway also plays a significant role in cell differentiation and the maintenance of tumor stem cells. Conventional chemotherapy drugs are primarily designed to target the majority of cell populations within tumors rather than tumor stem cells. Consequently, after a brief period of remission, tumors often relapse. Moreover, the exclusive targeting of tumor stemness cell disregards the potential for other tumor cells to regain stemness and acquire drug resistance. As a result, current drugs that solely target the HGF/c-MET axis and the Hh pathway demonstrate only moderate efficacy in specific types of cancer. Mounting evidence indicates that these two pathways not only play important roles in cancer but also exert significant influence on the development of resistance to single-target therapies through the secretion of their own ligands. In this comprehensive review, we analyze and compare the potential impact of the Hh pathway on the tumor microenvironment (TME) in HGF/c-MET-driven tumor models, as well as the interplay between different cell types. Additionally, we further substantiate the potential and necessity of dual-pathway combination therapy as a critical target in MET addicted cancer treatment. Video Abstract.

ADAMTS1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway in non-small cell lung cancer by regulating TGF-β

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of all lung cancers. Identifying key molecular targets related to the initiation, development, and metastasis of lung cancer is important for its diagnosis and target therapy. The ADAMTS families of multidomain extracellular protease enzymes have been reported to be involved in many physiological processes. In this study, we found that ADAMTS1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues, which promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NSCLC cells. In the NSCLC tumor metastasis model involving nude mice, overexpression of ADAMTS1 promoted EMT and lung metastasis of tumor cells. Moreover, ADAMTS1 positively regulated TGF-β expression, and TGF-β was highly expressed in NSCLC tumor tissues. si-TGF-β or inhibition of TGF-β expression through the short peptide KTFR on ADAMTS1 protein could reverse the oncogenic effects of ADAMTS1 on lung cancer cells. Taken together, ADAMTS1 functioned as an oncogene in NSCLC cells by promoting TGF-β expression, indicating that ADAMTS1 has important regulatory roles in the progression of NSCLC.

Gene Expression and Immunochemistry Analysis of ADAMTS-1 and Versican in Ameloblastoma

Background

Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally invasive odontogenic epithelial tumor, associated with a high recurrence rate after treatment. The action of enzymes of the metalloproteinase family is important to the degraded extracellular matrix, contributing to invasion. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the gene and protein expression of ADAMTS-1 and versican in ameloblastoma.

Materials and Methods

Twenty cases of ameloblastoma (n = 20) and ten dental follicles (DF) (n = 10) were used as a source for immunochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR for determining the protein and mRNA expressions of the concerned genes, respectively. Moreover, western blot and indirect immunofluorescence analysis were performed in AME cells.

Results

ADAMTS-1 and versican were overexpressed in DF than ameloblastoma by RT-PCR. However, in the immunolocalization analysis, ADAMTS-1 was expressed in ameloblastoma more than in DF and versican immunostaining obtained a similar pattern between ameloblastoma and DF. Indirect immunofluorescence detected the ADAMTS-1 and versican expression in cell lines derived from ameloblastoma. Western blot from cell lysate and conditioned medium detected ADAMTS-1 bands representing full-length and different processed forms. Monensin treatment confined ADAMTS-1 in the cell cytoplasm. Versican fragments also were detected in different compartments, intracellular and conditioned medium, allowing the versican process by ADAMTS-1.

Conclusion

This study showed a distinct expression of ADAMTS-1 and versican in ameloblastoma and DF, with ADAMTS-1 protein higher expression observed in ameloblastoma and possibly cleaved versican. These findings suggested that ADAMTS-1 may participate in tumor invasion, especially for the degradation of substrates (versican) in the ECM.

Downregulated ADAMTS1 Incorporating A2M Contributes to Tumorigenesis and Alters Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Simple Summary

Lung cancer is the most dreadful cancer type and has the worst cancer-related clinical outcomes. This study used specimens from the in-house lung cancer cohort and public cohort to verify the roles of downregulated ADAMTS1, a protease remodeling extracellular matrix, to facilitate cancer promotion and progress. Based on the clinical specimens, cell and animal study with the aid of the public databases, we concluded that downregulated expression of ADAMTS1 might promote tumor progression and metastasis and modify the tumor microenvironment in lung cancer. Further investigation would be required for its application in treating lung cancer.

Abstract

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) still holds the most dreadful clinical outcomes worldwide. Despite advanced treatment strategies, there are still some unmet needs. Next-generation sequencing of large-scale cancer genomics discovery projects combined with bioinformatics provides the opportunity to take a step forward in meeting clinical conditions. Based on in-house and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohorts, the results showed decreased levels of ADAMTS1 conferred poor survival compared with normal parts. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) indicated the negative correlation between ADAMTS1 and the potential roles of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and poor prognosis in LUAD patients. With the knockdown of ADAMTS1, A549 lung cancer cells exhibited more aggressive behaviors such as EMT and increased migration, resulting in cancer metastasis in a mouse model. The pathway interaction network disclosed the linkage of downregulated α2-macroglobulin (A2M), which regulates EMT and metastasis. Furthermore, immune components analysis indicated a positive relationship between ADAMTS1 and the infiltrating levels of multiple immune cells, especially anticancer CD4⁺ T cells in LUAD. Notably, ADAMTS1 expression was also inversely correlated with the accumulation of immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, implying the downregulated ADAMTS1 mediated immune adjustment to fit the tumor survival disadvantages in LUAD patients. In conclusion, our study indicates that ADAMTS1 interacts with A2M in regulating EMT and metastasis in LUAD. Additionally, ADAMTS1 contributes to poor prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD patients

Metalloprotease ADAMTS-1 decreases cell migration and invasion modulating the spatiotemporal dynamics of Cdc42 activity

ADAMTSs (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs) are secreted proteases dependent on Zn2+/Ca2+, involved in physiological and pathological processes and are part of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we investigated if ADAMTS-1 is required for invasion and migration of cells and the possible mechanism involved. In order to test ADAMTS-1's role in ovarian cancer cells (CHO, NIH-OVCAR-3 and ES2) and NIH-3 T3 fibroblasts, we modified the levels of ADAMTS-1 and compared those to parental. Cells exposed to ADAMTS-1-enriched medium exhibited a decline in cell migration and invasion when compared to controls with or without a functional metalloproteinase domain. The opposite was observed in cells when ADAMTS-1 was deleted via the CRISPR/Cas9 approach. The decline in ADAMTS-1 levels enhanced the phosphorylated form of Src and FAK. We also evaluated the activities of cellular Rho GTPases from cell lysates using the GLISA® kit. The Cdc42-GTP signal was significantly increased in the CRISPR ADAMTS-1 ES-2 cells. By a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor for Cdc42 activity in ES-2 cells we demonstrated that Cdc42 activity was strongly polarized at the leading edge of migrating cells with ADAMTS-1 deletion, compared to the wild type cells. As conclusion, ADAMTS-1 inhibits proliferation, polarization and migration.

Progesterone decreases ovarian cancer cells migration and invasion

The progression of cancer depends on the interaction between the cells and their microenvironment. Progesterone is a steroid and progestogen sex hormone produced by the corpus luteum, which is a transitory endocrine gland in female mammals and prepares the endometrium for implantation. Also, progesterone is involved in antitumorigenic process in different types of cancer. Our goal is to investigate the role of progesterone in cell invasion and migration. Ovarian cells were treated with different concentrations of progesterone. 500 nM or 1 μM progesterone decreased the migration of the cells in 24 h or less without affecting the viability. Immunoblot showed that treatment with 1 μM progesterone decreased the phosphorylated forms of Src and FAK, and the cells were less polarized. Our results suggest that progesterone interferes with migration and invasion of ovarian cells. Inhibitory experiments inferred the progesterone receptor playing a role in migration and invasion. Decreased phosphorylation of molecules involved in these processes was also found.

Extracellular Matrix Influencing HGF/c-MET Signaling Pathway: Impact on Cancer Progression

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment involved in numerous cellular processes that contribute to cancer progression. It is acknowledged that tumor–stromal cell communication is driven by a complex and dynamic network of cytokines, growth factors and proteases. Thus, the ECM works as a reservoir for bioactive molecules that modulate tumor cell behavior. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) produced by tumor and stromal cells acts as a multifunctional cytokine and activates the c-MET receptor, which is expressed in different tumor cell types. The HGF/c-MET signaling pathway is associated with several cellular processes, such as proliferation, survival, motility, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Moreover, c-MET activation can be promoted by several ECM components, including proteoglycans and glycoproteins that act as bridging molecules and/or signal co-receptors. In contrast, c-MET activation can be inhibited by proteoglycans, matricellular proteins and/or proteases that bind and sequester HGF away from the cell surface. Therefore, understanding the effects of ECM components on HGF and c-MET may provide opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we give a short overview of how certain ECM components regulate the distribution and activation of HGF and c-MET.