1
|
Mengoni M, Braun AD, Seedarala S, Bonifatius S, Kostenis E, Schanze D, Zenker M, Tüting T, Gaffal E. Transactivation of Met signaling by oncogenic Gnaq drives the evolution of melanoma in Hgf-Cdk4 mice. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:884-893. [PMID: 38360887 PMCID: PMC11192630 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Recent pan-cancer genomic analyses have identified numerous oncogenic driver mutations that occur in a cell-type and tissue-specific distribution. For example, oncogenic mutations in Braf and Nras genes arise predominantly in melanocytic neoplasms of the epidermis, while oncogenic mutations in Gnaq/11 genes arise mostly in melanocytic lesions of the dermis or the uvea. The mechanisms promoting cell-type and tissue-specific oncogenic events currently remain poorly understood. Here, we report that Gnaq/11 hotspot mutations occur as early oncogenic drivers during the evolution of primary melanomas in Hgf-Cdk4 mice. Additional single base substitutions in the Trp53 gene and structural chromosomal aberrations favoring amplifications of the chromosomal region containing the Met receptor gene accumulate during serial tumor transplantation and in cell lines established in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that the GnaqQ209L mutation transactivates the Met receptor. Overexpression of oncogenic GnaqQ209L in the immortalized melanocyte cell line promoted in vivo growth that was enhanced by transgenic Hgf expression in the tumor microenvironment. This cross-signaling mechanism explains the selection of oncogenic Gnaq/11 in primary Hgf-Cdk4 melanomas and provides an example of how oncogenic driver mutations, intracellular signaling cascades, and microenvironmental cues cooperate to drive cancer development in a tissue-specific fashion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Mengoni
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Dominik Braun
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sahithi Seedarala
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Bonifatius
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Evi Kostenis
- Molecular, Cellular and Pharmacobiology Section, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 6, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Denny Schanze
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Gaffal
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rogava M, Aprati TJ, Chi WY, Melms JC, Hug C, Davis SH, Earlie EM, Chung C, Deshmukh SK, Wu S, Sledge G, Tang S, Ho P, Amin AD, Caprio L, Gurjao C, Tagore S, Ngo B, Lee MJ, Zanetti G, Wang Y, Chen S, Ge W, Melo LMN, Allies G, Rösler J, Gibney GT, Schmitz OJ, Sykes M, Creusot RJ, Tüting T, Schadendorf D, Röcken M, Eigentler TK, Molotkov A, Mintz A, Bakhoum SF, Beyaz S, Cantley LC, Sorger PK, Meckelmann SW, Tasdogan A, Liu D, Laughney AM, Izar B. Loss of Pip4k2c confers liver-metastatic organotropism through insulin-dependent PI3K-AKT pathway activation. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:433-447. [PMID: 38286827 PMCID: PMC11175596 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00704-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Liver metastasis (LM) confers poor survival and therapy resistance across cancer types, but the mechanisms of liver-metastatic organotropism remain unknown. Here, through in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 screens, we found that Pip4k2c loss conferred LM but had no impact on lung metastasis or primary tumor growth. Pip4k2c-deficient cells were hypersensitized to insulin-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling and exploited the insulin-rich liver milieu for organ-specific metastasis. We observed concordant changes in PIP4K2C expression and distinct metabolic changes in 3,511 patient melanomas, including primary tumors, LMs and lung metastases. We found that systemic PI3K inhibition exacerbated LM burden in mice injected with Pip4k2c-deficient cancer cells through host-mediated increase in hepatic insulin levels; however, this circuit could be broken by concurrent administration of an SGLT2 inhibitor or feeding of a ketogenic diet. Thus, this work demonstrates a rare example of metastatic organotropism through co-optation of physiological metabolic cues and proposes therapeutic avenues to counteract these mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meri Rogava
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tyler J Aprati
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wei-Yu Chi
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Johannes C Melms
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Clemens Hug
- Laboratory for Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie H Davis
- Laboratory for Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ethan M Earlie
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Tri-Institutional Training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlie Chung
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | - Sharon Wu
- Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | | | - Stephen Tang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Ho
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amit Dipak Amin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lindsay Caprio
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carino Gurjao
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Somnath Tagore
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bryan Ngo
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Lee
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Giorgia Zanetti
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yiping Wang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sean Chen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - William Ge
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luiza Martins Nascentes Melo
- Department for Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, NCT West, Campus Essen, German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Essen & University Alliance Ruhr, Research Center One Health, Essen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Allies
- Department for Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, NCT West, Campus Essen, German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Essen & University Alliance Ruhr, Research Center One Health, Essen, Germany
| | - Jonas Rösler
- Department for Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, NCT West, Campus Essen, German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Essen & University Alliance Ruhr, Research Center One Health, Essen, Germany
| | - Goeffrey T Gibney
- Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Oliver J Schmitz
- Applied Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Megan Sykes
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rémi J Creusot
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department for Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, NCT West, Campus Essen, German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Essen & University Alliance Ruhr, Research Center One Health, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Röcken
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thomas K Eigentler
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrei Molotkov
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Akiva Mintz
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuel F Bakhoum
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Semir Beyaz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory for Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sven W Meckelmann
- Applied Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alpaslan Tasdogan
- Department for Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, NCT West, Campus Essen, German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Essen & University Alliance Ruhr, Research Center One Health, Essen, Germany
| | - David Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashley M Laughney
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Izar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fedorov Kukk A, Wu D, Gaffal E, Panzer R, Emmert S, Roth B. Multimodal system for optical biopsy of melanoma with integrated ultrasound, optical coherence tomography and Raman spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2022; 15:e202200129. [PMID: 35802400 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202200129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We introduce a new single-head multimodal optical system that integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT), 18 MHz ultrasound (US) tomography and Raman spectroscopy (RS), allowing for fast (<2 min) and noninvasive skin cancer diagnostics and lesion depth measurement. The OCT can deliver structural and depth information of smaller skin lesions (<1 mm), while the US allows to measure the penetration depth of thicker lesions (≥4 mm), and the RS analyzes the chemical composition from a small chosen spot (≤300 μm) that can be used to distinguish between benign and malignant melanoma. The RS and OCT utilize the same scanning and optical setup, allowing for co-localized measurements. The US on the other side is integrated with an acoustical reflector, which enables B-mode measurements on the same position as OCT and RS. The US B-mode scans can be translated across the sample by laterally moving the US transducer, which is made possible by the developed adapter with a flexible membrane. We present the results on custom-made liquid and agar phantoms that show the resolution and depth capabilities of the setup, as well as preliminary ex vivo measurements on mouse models with ∼4.3 mm thick melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly Fedorov Kukk
- Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies, Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Di Wu
- Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies, Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Bernhard Roth
- Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies, Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence PhoenixD (Photonics, Optics and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines), Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kerzeli IK, Lord M, Doroszko M, Elgendy R, Chourlia A, Stepanek I, Larsson E, van Hooren L, Nelander S, Malmstrom PU, Dragomir A, Segersten U, Mangsbo SM. Single-cell RNAseq and longitudinal proteomic analysis of a novel semi-spontaneous urothelial cancer model reveals tumor cell heterogeneity and pretumoral urine protein alterations. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253178. [PMID: 34232958 PMCID: PMC8262791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer, one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, remains hard to classify due to a staggering molecular complexity. Despite a plethora of diagnostic tools and therapies, it is hard to outline the key steps leading up to the transition from high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Carcinogen-induced murine models can recapitulate urothelial carcinogenesis and natural anti-tumor immunity. Herein, we have developed and profiled a novel model of progressive NMIBC based on 10 weeks of OH-BBN exposure in hepatocyte growth factor/cyclin dependent kinase 4 (R24C) (Hgf-Cdk4R24C) mice. The profiling of the model was performed by histology grading, single cell transcriptomic and proteomic analysis, while the derivation of a tumorigenic cell line was validated and used to assess in vivo anti-tumor effects in response to immunotherapy. Established NMIBC was present in females at 10 weeks post OH-BBN exposure while neoplasia was not as advanced in male mice, however all mice progressed to MIBC. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed an intratumoral heterogeneity also described in the human disease trajectory. Moreover, although immune activation biomarkers were elevated in urine during carcinogen exposure, anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD1) monotherapy did not prevent tumor progression. Furthermore, anti-PD1 immunotherapy did not control the growth of subcutaneous tumors formed by the newly derived urothelial cancer cell line. However, treatment with CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) significantly decreased tumor volume, but only in females. In conclusion, the molecular map of this novel preclinical model of bladder cancer provides an opportunity to further investigate pharmacological therapies ahead with regards to both targeted drugs and immunotherapies to improve the strategies of how we should tackle the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment in urothelial bladder cancer to improve responses rates in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iliana K. Kerzeli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Lord
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Milena Doroszko
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ramy Elgendy
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aikaterini Chourlia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ivan Stepanek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elinor Larsson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Luuk van Hooren
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sven Nelander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per-Uno Malmstrom
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anca Dragomir
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Segersten
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara M. Mangsbo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
El Meskini R, Atkinson D, Kulaga A, Abdelmaksoud A, Gumprecht M, Pate N, Hayes S, Oberst M, Kaplan IM, Raber P, Van Dyke T, Sharan SK, Hollingsworth R, Day CP, Merlino G, Weaver Ohler Z. Distinct Biomarker Profiles and TCR Sequence Diversity Characterize the Response to PD-L1 Blockade in a Mouse Melanoma Model. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:1422-1436. [PMID: 33888600 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Only a subset of patients responds to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in melanoma. A preclinical model recapitulating the clinical activity of ICB would provide a valuable platform for mechanistic studies. We used melanoma tumors arising from an Hgftg;Cdk4R24C/R24C genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model to evaluate the efficacy of an anti-mouse PD-L1 antibody similar to the anti-human PD-L1 antibodies durvalumab and atezolizumab. Consistent with clinical observations for ICB in melanoma, anti-PD-L1 treatment elicited complete and durable response in a subset of melanoma-bearing mice. We also observed tumor growth delay or regression followed by recurrence. For early treatment assessment, we analyzed gene expression profiles, T-cell infiltration, and T-cell receptor (TCR) signatures in regressing tumors compared with tumors exhibiting no response to anti-PD-L1 treatment. We found that CD8+ T-cell tumor infiltration corresponded to response to treatment, and that anti-PD-L1 gene signature response indicated an increase in antigen processing and presentation, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. TCR sequence data suggest that an anti-PD-L1-mediated melanoma regression response requires not only an expansion of the TCR repertoire that is unique to individual mice, but also tumor access to the appropriate TCRs. Thus, this melanoma model recapitulated the variable response to ICB observed in patients and exhibited biomarkers that differentiate between early response and resistance to treatment, providing a valuable platform for prediction of successful immunotherapy. IMPLICATIONS: Our melanoma model recapitulates the variable response to anti-PD-L1 observed in patients and exhibits biomarkers that characterize early antibody response, including expansion of the TCR repertoire.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajaa El Meskini
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland.
| | - Devon Atkinson
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Alan Kulaga
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Abdalla Abdelmaksoud
- Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (CCBR), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.,Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Michelle Gumprecht
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Nathan Pate
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | - Terry Van Dyke
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, CCR, NCI/NIH, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Shyam K Sharan
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland.,Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, CCR, NCI/NIH, Frederick, Maryland
| | | | - Chi-Ping Day
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, CCR, NCI/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Glenn Merlino
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, CCR, NCI/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Zoë Weaver Ohler
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Blanc E, Holtgrewe M, Dhamodaran A, Messerschmidt C, Willimsky G, Blankenstein T, Beule D. Identification and ranking of recurrent neo-epitopes in cancer. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:171. [PMID: 31775766 PMCID: PMC6882202 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0611-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune escape is one of the hallmarks of cancer and several new treatment approaches attempt to modulate and restore the immune system’s capability to target cancer cells. At the heart of the immune recognition process lies antigen presentation from somatic mutations. These neo-epitopes are emerging as attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy and new strategies for rapid identification of relevant candidates have become a priority. Methods We carefully screen TCGA data sets for recurrent somatic amino acid exchanges and apply MHC class I binding predictions. Results We propose a method for in silico selection and prioritization of candidates which have a high potential for neo-antigen generation and are likely to appear in multiple patients. While the percentage of patients carrying a specific neo-epitope and HLA-type combination is relatively small, the sheer number of new patients leads to surprisingly high reoccurence numbers. We identify 769 epitopes which are expected to occur in 77629 patients per year. Conclusion While our candidate list will definitely contain false positives, the results provide an objective order for wet-lab testing of reusable neo-epitopes. Thus recurrent neo-epitopes may be suitable to supplement existing personalized T cell treatment approaches with precision treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Blanc
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Manuel Holtgrewe
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Arunraj Dhamodaran
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, Berlin, 13092, Germany
| | - Clemens Messerschmidt
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Gerald Willimsky
- Institute of Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, 13125, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Thomas Blankenstein
- Institute of Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, 13125, Germany.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, Berlin, 13092, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Dieter Beule
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany. .,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, Berlin, 13092, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
van der Weyden L, Arends MJ, Brenn T, Tuting T, Adams DJ. Widespread spontaneous hyperproliferation, melanosis and melanoma in Hgf-Cdk4R24C mice. Melanoma Res 2018; 28:76-78. [PMID: 29200095 PMCID: PMC5739287 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Louise van der Weyden
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge
| | - Mark J Arends
- Centre for Comparative Pathology, Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Division of Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine
| | - Thomas Brenn
- Pathology Department, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas Tuting
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - David J Adams
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Deletion of ADAM-9 in HGF/CDK4 mice impairs melanoma development and metastasis. Oncogene 2017; 36:5058-5067. [PMID: 28553955 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
ADAM-9 is a metalloproteinase expressed in peritumoral areas by invading melanoma cells and by adjacent peritumoral stromal cells; however, its function in stromal and melanoma cells is not fully understood. To address this question in vivo in a spontaneous melanoma model, we deleted ADAM-9 in mice carrying the hepatocyte growth factor (Hgf) transgene and knock-in mutation Cdk4R24C/R24C, demonstrated to spontaneously develop melanoma. Spontaneous melanoma arose less frequently in ADAM-9-deleted mice than in controls. Similarly reduced tumor numbers (although with faster growth kinetics) were detected upon induction of melanoma with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). However, more lesions were induced at early time points in the absence of ADAM-9. Increased initial and decreased late tumor numbers were paralleled by altered tumor cell proliferation, but not apoptosis or inflammation. Importantly, significantly reduced lung metastases were detected upon ADAM-9 deletion. Using in vitro assays to address this effect mechanistically, we detected reduced adhesion and transmigration of ADAM-9-silenced melanoma cells to/through the endothelium. This implies that ADAM-9 functionally and cell autonomously mediates extravasation of melanoma cells. In vitro and in vivo we demonstrated that the basement membrane (BM) component laminin β3-chain is a direct substrate of ADAM-9, thus contributing to destabilization and disruption of the BM barrier during invasion. In in vitro invasion assays using human melanoma cells and skin equivalents, depletion of ADAM-9 resulted in decreased invasion of the BM, which remained almost completely intact, as shown by continuous staining for laminin β3-chain. Importantly, supplying soluble ADAM-9 to the system reversed this effect. Taken together, our data show that melanoma derived ADAM-9 autonomously contributes to melanoma progression by modulating cell adhesion to the endothelium and altering BM integrity by proteolytically processing the laminin-β3 chain. This newly described process and ADAM-9 itself may represent potential targets for anti-tumor therapies.
Collapse
|
9
|
Overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor and an oncogenic CDK4 variant in mice alters corneal stroma morphology but does not lead to spontaneous ocular melanoma. Melanoma Res 2016; 26:89-91. [PMID: 26731561 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
10
|
Davar D, Fuchs SY, Kirkwood JM. BRAF Inhibitors and IFNα: Plus, Minus, or Indeterminate? J Natl Cancer Inst 2016; 108:djv432. [PMID: 26851801 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Diwakar Davar
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (DD, JMK); Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (SYF)
| | - Serge Y Fuchs
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (DD, JMK); Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (SYF)
| | - John M Kirkwood
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (DD, JMK); Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (SYF).
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Metastasis is often modeled by xenotransplantation of cell lines in immunodeficient mice. A wealth of information about tumor cell behavior in the new environment is obtained from these efforts. Yet by design, this approach is "tumor-centric," as it focuses on cell-autonomous determinants of human tumor dissemination in mouse tissues, in effect using the animal body as a sophisticated "Petri dish" providing nutrients and support for tumor growth. Transgenic or gene knockout mouse models of cancer allow the study of tumor spread as a systemic disease and offer a complimentary approach for studying the natural history of cancer. This introduction is aimed at describing the overall methodological approach to studying metastasis in genetically modified mice, with a particular focus on using animals with regulated expression of potent human oncogenes in the breast.
Collapse
|
12
|
Chen J, Jiang CC, Jin L, Zhang XD. Regulation of PD-L1: a novel role of pro-survival signalling in cancer. Ann Oncol 2015; 27:409-16. [PMID: 26681673 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 561] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Evasion of immune system is a hallmark of cancer, which enables cancer cells to escape the attack from immune cells. Cancer cells can express many immune inhibitory signalling proteins to cause immune cell dysfunction and apoptosis. One of these inhibitory molecules is programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1), which binds to programmed death-1 (PD-1) expressed on T-cells, B-cells, dendritic cells and natural killer T-cells to suppress anti-cancer immunity. Therefore, anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-1 antibodies have been used for the treatment of cancer, showing promising outcomes. However, only a proportion of patients respond to the treatments. Further understanding of the regulation of PD-L1 expression could be helpful for the improvement of anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-1 treatments. Studies have shown that PD-L1 expression is regulated by signalling pathways, transcriptional factors and epigenetic factors. In this review, we summarise the recent progress of the regulation of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells and propose a regulatory model for unified explanation. Both PI3K and MAPK pathways are involved in PD-L1 regulation but the downstream molecules that control PD-L1 and cell proliferation may differ. Transcriptional factors hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and signal transducer and activation of transcription-3 act on the promoter of PD-L1 to regulate its expression. In addition, microRNAs including miR-570, miR-513, miR-197, miR-34a and miR-200 negatively regulate PD-L1. Clinically, it could increase treatment efficacy of targeted therapy by choosing those molecules that control both PD-L1 expression and cell proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane
| | - C C Jiang
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - L Jin
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - X D Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mairhofer DG, Ortner D, Tripp CH, Schaffenrath S, Fleming V, Heger L, Komenda K, Reider D, Dudziak D, Chen S, Becker JC, Flacher V, Stoitzner P. Impaired gp100-Specific CD8(+) T-Cell Responses in the Presence of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in a Spontaneous Mouse Melanoma Model. J Invest Dermatol 2015; 135:2785-2793. [PMID: 26121214 PMCID: PMC4652066 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2015.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Murine tumor models that closely reflect human diseases are important tools to investigate carcinogenesis and tumor immunity. The transgenic (tg) mouse strain tg(Grm1)EPv develops spontaneous melanoma due to ectopic overexpression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (Grm1) in melanocytes. In the present study, we characterized the immune status and functional properties of immune cells in tumor-bearing mice. Melanoma development was accompanied by a reduction in the percentages of CD4(+) T cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs) in CD45(+) leukocytes present in tumor tissue and draining lymph nodes (LNs). In contrast, the percentages of CD8(+) T cells were unchanged, and these cells showed an activated phenotype in tumor mice. Endogenous melanoma-associated antigen glycoprotein 100 (gp100)-specific CD8(+) T cells were not deleted during tumor development, as revealed by pentamer staining in the skin and draining LNs. They, however, were unresponsive to ex vivo gp100-peptide stimulation in late-stage tumor mice. Interestingly, immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were recruited to tumor tissue with a preferential accumulation of granulocytic MDSC (grMDSCs) over monocytic MDSC (moMDSCs). Both subsets produced Arginase-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and transforming growth factor-β and suppressed T-cell proliferation in vitro. In this work, we describe the immune status of a spontaneous melanoma mouse model that provides an interesting tool to develop future immunotherapeutical strategies.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cell Proliferation
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Random Allocation
- Suppressor Factors, Immunologic/immunology
- Suppressor Factors, Immunologic/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- gp100 Melanoma Antigen/immunology
- gp100 Melanoma Antigen/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David G Mairhofer
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Ortner
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph H Tripp
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Oncotyrol, Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sandra Schaffenrath
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Oncotyrol, Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Viktor Fleming
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of DC-Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Heger
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of DC-Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Komenda
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Reider
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Oncotyrol, Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Diana Dudziak
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of DC-Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Suzie Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology, Lab for Cancer Research, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jürgen C Becker
- Department for Translational Dermato-Oncology, Center for Medical Biotechnology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Vincent Flacher
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Patrizia Stoitzner
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bald T, Landsberg J, Jansen P, Gaffal E, Tüting T. Phorbol ester-induced neutrophilic inflammatory responses selectively promote metastatic spread of melanoma in a TLR4-dependent manner. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1078964. [PMID: 27057457 PMCID: PMC4801457 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1078964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased neutrophil counts both in tumor tissue and peripheral blood correlate with poor clinical outcome in melanoma patients suggesting a pro-tumorigenic role of neutrophils for the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma. Recently, we discovered that neutrophilic skin inflammatory responses induced by UV exposure promote metastatic spread of primary cutaneous melanomas in genetically engineered Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) mice. We hypothesized that other pro-inflammatory stimuli that induce neutrophilic inflammatory responses also promote the development and progression of melanomas. In the current study, we therefore investigated how the most potent and frequently used tumor promoter 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) affects the development and progression of carcinogen-induced melanomas in Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) mice. Local and systemic neutrophilic inflammatory responses induced by TPA also selectively increase the metastatic spread of melanoma cells to draining lymph nodes and lungs. Using a highly metastatic Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) melanoma skin transplant we could show that TPA enhances systemic spread of melanoma cells which was depended on intact TLR4 signaling in recipient mice and on the presence of neutrophils. Altogether, our experimental results support an important mechanistic role of TLR4-driven neutrophilic inflammation for melanoma progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Bald
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn , Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn , Bonn, Germany
| | - Philipp Jansen
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn , Bonn, Germany
| | - Evelyn Gaffal
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn , Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn , Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kilian MM, Loeffler KU, Pfarrer C, Holz FG, Kurts C, Herwig MC. Intravitreally Injected HCmel12 Melanoma Cells Serve as a Mouse Model of Tumor Biology of Intraocular Melanoma. Curr Eye Res 2015; 41:121-8. [PMID: 25658144 DOI: 10.3109/02713683.2015.1004721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To establish a mouse model with histologic characteristics of uveal melanoma for investigation of intraocular tumor biology of melanoma. METHODS After injection of 1 × 10(5) of HCmel12 melanoma cells, a cutaneous melanoma cell line, into the vitreous of CX3CR1(+/GFP) or C57Bl/6 mice (n = 12), tumor growth patterns, clinicopathological features, angiogenesis and metastatic behavior were analyzed by histology (hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff without hematoxylin) and immunohistochemistry (HMB45/MART-1-Ab, F4/80-Ab, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Ab and VE-cadherin-Ab). RESULTS HCmel12 cells formed intraocularly growing tumor masses, which showed histologic features of intraocular melanoma such as angiotropism, intratumoral endothelial-lined vasculature, vasculogenic mimicry including prognostic significant extravascular matrix patterns, and invasion by inflammatory cells, in particular macrophages. There was no difference in tumor growth characteristics between CX3CR1(+/GFP) and C57Bl/6 mice. Five of 10 mice proceeded to extrascleral tumor growth and three of these developed metastases. CONCLUSIONS Intraocularly injected HCmel12 cells developed tumor masses with histologic characteristics of aggressive melanoma similar to human uveal melanoma. Since hematogenous dissemination to the liver was not observed, intravitreally injected HCmel12 cells do not qualify as a model for metastasizing intraocular melanoma. However, since the eye represents a semi-closed compartment with access to constant blood supply, these intraocular tumors represent a model for studies of isolated parameters in general tumor biology of intraocular melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta M Kilian
- a Department of Ophthalmology , University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
| | - Karin U Loeffler
- a Department of Ophthalmology , University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
| | - Christiane Pfarrer
- b Department of Anatomy , University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover , Hannover , Germany , and
| | - Frank G Holz
- a Department of Ophthalmology , University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
| | - Christian Kurts
- c Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
| | - Martina C Herwig
- a Department of Ophthalmology , University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ferguson B, Soyer HP, Walker GJ. Clinicopathological characterization of mouse models of melanoma. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1267:251-61. [PMID: 25636472 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2297-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models of melanoma have proven invaluable in the delineation of key molecular events involved in disease progression in humans and provide potential preclinical models for therapeutic testing (Damsky and Bosenberg, Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 25(4):404-405, 2012; Walker et al., Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 24(6):1158-1176, 2011). Here we concentrate on the clinicopathological analysis of melanocytic tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake Ferguson
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Melanoma susceptibility as a complex trait: genetic variation controls all stages of tumor progression. Oncogene 2014; 34:2879-86. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
18
|
Bald T, Landsberg J, Lopez-Ramos D, Renn M, Glodde N, Jansen P, Gaffal E, Steitz J, Tolba R, Kalinke U, Limmer A, Jönsson G, Hölzel M, Tüting T. Immune cell-poor melanomas benefit from PD-1 blockade after targeted type I IFN activation. Cancer Discov 2014; 4:674-87. [PMID: 24589924 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-13-0458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Infiltration of human melanomas with cytotoxic immune cells correlates with spontaneous type I IFN activation and a favorable prognosis. Therapeutic blockade of immune-inhibitory receptors in patients with preexisting lymphocytic infiltrates prolongs survival, but new complementary strategies are needed to activate cellular antitumor immunity in immune cell-poor melanomas. Here, we show that primary melanomas in Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) mice, which imitate human immune cell-poor melanomas with a poor outcome, escape IFN-induced immune surveillance and editing. Peritumoral injections of immunostimulatory RNA initiated a cytotoxic inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment and significantly impaired tumor growth. This critically required the coordinated induction of type I IFN responses by dendritic, myeloid, natural killer, and T cells. Importantly, antibody-mediated blockade of the IFN-induced immune-inhibitory interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 receptors further prolonged the survival. These results highlight important interconnections between type I IFNs and immune-inhibitory receptors in melanoma pathogenesis, which serve as targets for combination immunotherapies. SIGNIFICANCE Using a genetically engineered mouse melanoma model, we demonstrate that targeted activation of the type I IFN system with immunostimulatory RNA in combination with blockade of immune-inhibitory receptors is a rational strategy to expose immune cell-poor tumors to cellular immune surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Bald
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dorys Lopez-Ramos
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marcel Renn
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Nicole Glodde
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Philipp Jansen
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Evelyn Gaffal
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Julia Steitz
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rene Tolba
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Andreas Limmer
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Göran Jönsson
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Authors' Affiliations:Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen; Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany; and Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Turning Tumors into Vaccines: Co-opting the Innate Immune System. Immunity 2013; 39:27-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
20
|
Tüting T. T cell immunotherapy for melanoma from bedside to bench to barn and back: how conceptual advances in experimental mouse models can be translated into clinical benefit for patients. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2013; 26:441-56. [PMID: 23617831 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A solid scientific basis now supports the concept that cytotoxic T lymphocytes can specifically recognize and destroy melanoma cells. Over the last decades, clinicians and basic scientists have joined forces to advance our concepts of melanoma immunobiology. This has catalyzed the rational development of therapeutic approaches to enforce melanoma-specific T cell responses. Preclinical studies in experimental mouse models paved the way for their successful translation into clinical benefit for patients with metastatic melanoma. A more thorough understanding of how melanomas develop resistance to T cell immunotherapy is necessary to extend this success. This requires a continued interdisciplinary effort of melanoma biologists and immunologists that closely connects clinical observations with in vitro investigations and appropriate in vivo mouse models: From bedside to bench to barn and back.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hölzel M, Bovier A, Tüting T. Plasticity of tumour and immune cells: a source of heterogeneity and a cause for therapy resistance? Nat Rev Cancer 2013; 13:365-76. [PMID: 23535846 DOI: 10.1038/nrc3498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies, signal transduction inhibitors and chemotherapies can successfully achieve remissions in advanced stage cancer patients, but durable responses are rare. Using malignant melanoma as a paradigm, we propose that therapy-induced injury to tumour tissue and the resultant inflammation can activate protective and regenerative responses that represent a shared resistance mechanism to different treatments. Inflammation-driven phenotypic plasticity alters the antigenic landscape of tumour cells, rewires oncogenic signalling networks, protects against cell death and reprogrammes immune cell functions. We propose that the successful combination of cancer treatments to tackle resistance requires an interdisciplinary understanding of these resistance mechanisms, supported by mathematical models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hölzel
- Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
The chick embryo as an experimental system for melanoma cell invasion. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53970. [PMID: 23342051 PMCID: PMC3544663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A primary cutaneous melanoma will not kill the patient, but its metastases. Since in vitro studies on melanoma cells in 2-D cultures do often not reflect reality, 3-D models might come closer to the physiological situation in the patient during cancer initiation and progression. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we describe the chick embryo model for in vivo studies of melanoma cell migration and invasion. After transplantation of neural crest-derived melanoma cells into the neural tube, the melanoma cells resume neural crest cell migration along the medial and lateral pathways and finally undergo apoptosis in the target areas. Upon transplantation into ectopic areas such as the hindbrain or the optic cup malignant invasion and local tissue destruction occurs. In contrast, melanocytes are not able to spontaneously resume neural crest cell migration. However, malignant invasion can be induced in melanocytes by pre-treatment with the TGF-beta family members bone morphegenetic protein-2 or nodal. Transplantation of MCF7 breast cancer cells yields a different growth pattern in the rhombencephalon than melanoma cells. Conclusions/Significance The chick embryo model is a feasible, cost-effective in vivo system to study invasion by cancer cells in an embryonic environment. It may be useful to study invasive behavior induced by embryonic oncogenes and for targeted manipulation of melanoma or breast cancer cells aiming at ablation of invasive properties.
Collapse
|
23
|
Auphan-Anezin N, Verdeil G, Grange M, Soudja SM, Wehbe M, Buferne M, Mas A, Schmitt-Verhulst AM. Immunosuppression in inflammatory melanoma: can it be resisted by adoptively transferred T cells? Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 26:167-75. [PMID: 23217139 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Discovery of tumor antigen (TA) recognized by autologous T cells (TCs) in patients with melanoma has led to clinical protocols using either vaccination or adoptive transfer of TA-specific TCs. However, efficacy of these treatments has been hampered by inhibitory effects exerted on tumor-infiltrating TCs by tumor-intrinsic mediators or by recruitment of immunosuppressive cells. A mouse model of autochthonous melanoma recapitulates some aspects of inflammatory melanoma development in patients. These include a systemic Th2-/Th17-oriented chronic inflammation, recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid cells and acquisition by tumor-infiltrating TCs of an 'exhausted' phenotype characterized by expression of multiple inhibitory receptors including programmed death-1, also expressed on patients' melanoma-infiltrating TCs. Rather than using extracellular blocking reagents to inhibitory surface molecules on TCs, we sought to dampen negative signaling exerted on them. Adoptively transferred TCs presenting increased cytokine receptor signaling due to expression of an active Stat5 transcription factor were efficient at inducing melanoma regression in the preclinical melanoma model. These transferred TCs thrived and retained expression of effector molecules in the melanoma microenvironment, defining a protocol endowing TCs with the ability to resist melanoma-induced immunosuppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Auphan-Anezin
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille Université UM2, Marseille, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Landsberg J, Kohlmeyer J, Renn M, Bald T, Rogava M, Cron M, Fatho M, Lennerz V, Wölfel T, Hölzel M, Tüting T. Melanomas resist T-cell therapy through inflammation-induced reversible dedifferentiation. Nature 2012; 490:412-6. [PMID: 23051752 DOI: 10.1038/nature11538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 439] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell transfer therapies (ACTs) with cytotoxic T cells that target melanocytic antigens can achieve remissions in patients with metastatic melanomas, but tumours frequently relapse. Hypotheses explaining the acquired resistance to ACTs include the selection of antigen-deficient tumour cell variants and the induction of T-cell tolerance. However, the lack of appropriate experimental melanoma models has so far impeded clear insights into the underlying mechanisms. Here we establish an effective ACT protocol in a genetically engineered mouse melanoma model that recapitulates tumour regression, remission and relapse as seen in patients. We report the unexpected observation that melanomas acquire ACT resistance through an inflammation-induced reversible loss of melanocytic antigens. In serial transplantation experiments, melanoma cells switch between a differentiated and a dedifferentiated phenotype in response to T-cell-driven inflammatory stimuli. We identified the proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α as a crucial factor that directly caused reversible dedifferentiation of mouse and human melanoma cells. Tumour cells exposed to TNF-α were poorly recognized by T cells specific for melanocytic antigens, whereas recognition by T cells specific for non-melanocytic antigens was unaffected or even increased. Our results demonstrate that the phenotypic plasticity of melanoma cells in an inflammatory microenvironment contributes to tumour relapse after initially successful T-cell immunotherapy. On the basis of our work, we propose that future ACT protocols should simultaneously target melanocytic and non-melanocytic antigens to ensure broad recognition of both differentiated and dedifferentiated melanoma cells, and include strategies to sustain T-cell effector functions by blocking immune-inhibitory mechanisms in the tumour microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Landsberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, D-53105 Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wurm EMT, Lin LL, Ferguson B, Lambie D, Prow TW, Walker GJ, Soyer HP. A blueprint for staging of murine melanocytic lesions based on the Cdk4 ( R24C/R24C ) ::Tyr- NRAS ( Q ) ( 61K ) model. Exp Dermatol 2012; 21:676-81. [PMID: 22742762 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2012.01543.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It has been shown that gene mutations which drive the development of malignant melanoma (MM) in humans also lead to emergence of MM when engineered mice. However, little attention has been paid to the clinical and histopathological features of melanocytic lesions and their natural history in a given mouse model. This knowledge is crucial to enable us to understand how engineered mutations influence the initiation and evolution of melanocytic lesions, and/or for the use of mice as a preclinical model to test specific treatments. We recently reported the development of melanocytic proliferations along the spectrum of naevi to MM in a Cdk4 ( R24C/R24C ) ::Tyr- NRAS ( Q ) ( 61K ) mouse model. In this study, we followed the development of lesions over time using digital photography and dermoscopy with the aim to correlate the clinical and histopathological features of lesions developing in this model. We identified two types of lesions. The first are slow-growing dermal MMs that emanate from dermal naevi. The second did not emanate from naevi, grew rapidly, and appeared to be solely confined to the subcutaneous fat. We present a simple staging system for the MMs that progress from naevi, based on depth of extension into the dermis and subcutis. This represents a blueprint for documentation and follow-up of MMs in the live animal, which is critical for the proper use of murine melanoma models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth M T Wurm
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
NM23 deficiency promotes metastasis in a UV radiation-induced mouse model of human melanoma. Clin Exp Metastasis 2012; 30:25-36. [PMID: 22699362 PMCID: PMC3547246 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-012-9495-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer, with 5-year survival rates of <5 % for patients presenting with metastatic disease. Mechanisms underlying metastatic spread of UVR-induced melanoma are not well understood, in part due to a paucity of animal models that accurately recapitulate the disease in its advanced forms. We have employed a transgenic mouse strain harboring a tandem deletion of the nm23-m1 and nm23-m2 genes to assess the combined contribution of these genes to suppression of melanoma metastasis. Crossing of the nm23-h1/nm23-h2 knockout in hemizygous-null form ([m1m2]+/−) to a transgenic mouse strain (hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-overexpressing, or HGF+ strain) vulnerable to poorly-metastatic, UVR-induced melanomas resulted in UVR-induced melanomas with high metastatic potential. Metastasis to draining lymph nodes was seen in almost all cases of back skin melanomas, while aggressive metastasis to lung, thoracic cavity, liver and bone also occurred. Interestingly, no differences were observed in the invasive characteristics of primary melanomas of HGF+ and HGF+ × [m1m2]+/− strains, with both exhibiting invasion into the dermis and subcutis, indicating factors other than simple invasive activity were responsible for metastasis of HGF+ × [m1m2]+/− melanomas. Stable cell lines were established from the primary and metastatic melanoma lesions from these mice, with HGF+ × [m1m2]+/− lines exhibiting increased single cell migration and genomic instability. These studies demonstrate for the first time in vivo a potent metastasis suppressor activity of NM23 in UVR-induced melanoma, and have provided new tools for identifying molecular mechanisms that underlie melanoma metastasis.
Collapse
|
27
|
|
28
|
Toh B, Wang X, Keeble J, Sim WJ, Khoo K, Wong WC, Kato M, Prevost-Blondel A, Thiery JP, Abastado JP. Mesenchymal transition and dissemination of cancer cells is driven by myeloid-derived suppressor cells infiltrating the primary tumor. PLoS Biol 2011; 9:e1001162. [PMID: 21980263 PMCID: PMC3181226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 279] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to metastasize, cancer cells need to acquire a motile phenotype. Previously, development of this phenotype was thought to rely on the acquisition of selected, random mutations and thus would occur late in cancer progression. However, recent studies show that cancer cells disseminate early, implying the existence of a different, faster route to the metastatic motile phenotype. Using a spontaneous murine model of melanoma, we show that a subset of bone marrow-derived immune cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells or MDSC) preferentially infiltrates the primary tumor and actively promotes cancer cell dissemination by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CXCL5 is the main chemokine attracting MDSC to the primary tumor. In vitro assay using purified MDSC showed that TGF-β, EGF, and HGF signaling pathways are all used by MDSC to induce EMT in cancer cells. These findings explain how cancer cells acquire a motile phenotype so early and provide a mechanistic explanation for the long recognized link between inflammation and cancer progression. Cancer progression has been depicted as a linear process, during which the incipient cancer cell sequentially accumulates mutations that confer the ability to metastasize. However, recent studies show that cancer cells disseminate early, before such mutations can accumulate, implying the existence of a different, faster route to the metastatic phenotype. Using a mouse model of melanoma, we show that the primary tumor attracts a subset of immune cells that actively promote cancer cell motility, dissemination, and metastasis. These tumor-infiltrating immune cells do so by reactivating a cellular program (mesenchymal transition) used by melanocytes during their development to colonize the skin, and also believed to be an essential step in cancer cell dissemination and metastasis. Once the melanoma cells migrate out of the primary tumor, they can lapse back to their original phenotype and lose their migratory potential. This transient phenotypic switch may accelerate carcinogenesis and participate in the plasticity of cancer. It explains how cancer cells might spread to other organs even before the original tumor is detected. In addition to the evidence gleaned from our mouse melanoma model, we show that these immune cells induce typical features of epithelial-mesechymal transition in both melanoma and bladder human cell lines when examined in culture dishes. These findings provide an underlying mechanism for the long-recognized link between inflammation and cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Toh
- Singapore Immunology Network, BMSI, A-STAR, Singapore
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- Singapore Immunology Network, BMSI, A-STAR, Singapore
| | - Jo Keeble
- Singapore Immunology Network, BMSI, A-STAR, Singapore
| | - Wen Jing Sim
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, BMSI, A-STAR, Singapore
| | - Karen Khoo
- Singapore Immunology Network, BMSI, A-STAR, Singapore
| | | | - Masashi Kato
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, BMSI, A-STAR, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Gaffal E, Landsberg J, Bald T, Sporleder A, Kohlmeyer J, Tüting T. Neonatal UVB exposure accelerates melanoma growth and enhances distant metastases in Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) C57BL/6 mice. Int J Cancer 2011; 129:285-94. [PMID: 21207411 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered mouse models offer new opportunities to experimentally investigate the impact of UV on melanoma pathogenesis. Here we irradiated a cohort of newborn 15 Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) mice on the pigmented C57BL/6 background with one erythemogenic dose of 6 kJ/m(2) UVB and compared the development of nevi and melanoma with a cohort of 30 untreated Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) mice. Neonatal UVB exposure decreased the latency and accelerated the growth of primary melanomas resulting in a significantly decreased time from melanoma onset to melanoma-related death (61 days vs. 96 days). Interestingly, we did not observe differences in the development of melanocytic nevi. Histopathological investigations revealed that UVB irradiation shifted the spectrum of melanomas toward a more aggressive phenotype with increased tumor cell proliferation, invasive growth and enhanced angiogenesis. Accordingly, we observed distal melanoma metastases in the lungs more frequently in the UV-irradiated than in the untreated cohort of Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) mice (73% vs. 47%). UVB-induced melanomas only contained very few infiltrating immune cells and expressed very low levels of proinflammatory chemokines. Taken together, our results demonstrate that neonatal UVB exposure promoted the early appearance of rapidly enlarging primary melanomas in Hgf-Cdk4(R24C) C57BL/6 mice which showed enhanced invasive and metastatic behaviour without a persistent tumor-associated inflammatory response. The preferential impact of UVB irradiation on the progression of melanoma without an effect on the development of nevi supports the hypothesis that the molecular targets of UVB are involved in bypassing the proliferative arrest of transformed melanocytes without alerting a cellular immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Gaffal
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, University of Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|