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Trieu KG, Tsai SY, Eberl M, Ju V, Ford NC, Doane OJ, Peterson JK, Veniaminova NA, Grachtchouk M, Harms PW, Swartling FJ, Dlugosz AA, Wong SY. Basal cell carcinomas acquire secondary mutations to overcome dormancy and progress from microscopic to macroscopic disease. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110779. [PMID: 35508126 PMCID: PMC9127636 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) frequently possess immense mutational burdens; however, the functional significance of most of these mutations remains unclear. Here, we report that loss of Ptch1, the most common mutation that activates upstream Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, initiates the formation of nascent BCC-like tumors that eventually enter into a dormant state. However, rare tumors that overcome dormancy acquire the ability to hyperactivate downstream Hh signaling through a variety of mechanisms, including amplification of Gli1/2 and upregulation of Mycn. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MYCN overexpression promotes the progression of tumors induced by loss of Ptch1. These findings suggest that canonical mutations that activate upstream Hh signaling are necessary, but not sufficient, for BCC to fully progress. Rather, tumors likely acquire secondary mutations that further hyperactivate downstream Hh signaling in order to escape dormancy and enter a trajectory of uncontrolled expansion. Trieu et al. generate BCC mouse models in which rare macroscopic tumors form alongside numerous failed microscopic lesions. Successful macroscopic tumors acquire secondary changes that elevate Gli1, Gli2, and/or Mycn levels, causing hyperactivation of downstream Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Loss of p53 and Notch1 also contributes to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth G Trieu
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Shih-Ying Tsai
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Markus Eberl
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Virginia Ju
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Noah C Ford
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Owen J Doane
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jamie K Peterson
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Natalia A Veniaminova
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marina Grachtchouk
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Paul W Harms
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrzej A Dlugosz
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sunny Y Wong
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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