Hair-cycle dependent differential expression of ADAM 10 and ADAM 12: An immunohistochemical analysis in human hair follicles in situ

Erbb2 up-regulation of ADAM12 expression accelerates skin cancer progression

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause severe damage to the skin and is the primary cause of most skin cancer. UV radiation causes DNA damage leading to mutations and also activates the Erbb2/HER2 receptor through indirect mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that Erbb2 activation accelerates the malignant progression of UV-induced skin cancer. Following the induction of benign squamous papillomas by UV exposure of v-ras(Ha) transgenic Tg.AC mice, mice were treated topically with the Erbb2 inhibitor AG825 and tumor progression monitored. AG825 treatment reduced tumor volume, increased tumor regression, and delayed the development of malignant squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Progression to malignancy was associated with increased Erbb2 and ADAM12 (A Disintegin And Metalloproteinase 12) transcripts and protein, while inhibition of Erbb2 blocked the increase in ADAM12 message upon malignant progression. Similarly, human SCC and SCC cell lines had increased ADAM12 protein and transcripts when compared to normal controls. To determine whether Erbb2 up-regulation of ADAM12 contributed to malignant progression of skin cancer, Erbb2 expression was modulated in cultured SCC cells using forced over-expression or siRNA targeting, demonstrating up-regulation of ADAM12 by Erbb2. Furthermore, ADAM12 transfection or siRNA targeting revealed that ADAM12 increased both the migration and invasion of cutaneous SCC cells. Collectively, these results suggest Erbb2 up-regulation of ADAM12 as a novel mechanism contributing to the malignant progression of UV-induced skin cancer. Inhibition of Erbb2/HER2 reduced tumor burden, increased tumor regression, and delayed the progression of benign skin tumors to malignant SCC in UV-exposed mice. Inhibition of Erbb2 suppressed the increase in metalloproteinase ADAM12 expression in skin tumors, which in turn increased migration and tumor cell invasiveness.

Identification of ILK as a new partner of the ADAM12 disintegrin and metalloprotease in cell adhesion and survival

ILK is identified as a new partner for ADAM12L cell signaling functions. ADAM12L colocalizes with ILK at focal adhesions and induces the Akt-dependent survival pathway via stimulation of β1 integrins and activation of PI3K. This effect is independent of ADAM12L proteolytic activity and involves its cytoplasmic domain.

Based on its shedding and binding activities, the disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12) has been implicated in cell signaling. Here we investigate the intracellular protein interaction network of the transmembrane ADAM12L variant using an integrative approach. We identify the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) as a new partner for ADAM12L cellular functions. We demonstrate that ADAM12L coimmunoprecipitates with ILK in cells and that its cytoplasmic tail is required for this interaction. In human cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which express high levels of endogenous ADAM12L and ILK, the two proteins are redistributed to focal adhesions upon stimulation of a β1 integrin–dependent pathway. We show that down-regulation of ADAM12L in HSCs leads to cytoskeletal disorganization and loss of adhesion. Conversely, up-regulation of ADAM12L induces the Akt Ser-473 phosphorylation-dependent survival pathway via stimulation of β1 integrins and activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Depletion of ILK inhibits this effect, which is independent of ADAM12L proteolytic activity and involves its cytoplasmic domain. We further demonstrate that overexpression of ADAM12L promotes kinase activity from ILK immunoprecipitates. Our data suggest a new role for ADAM12L in mediating the functional association of ILK with β1 integrin to regulate cell adhesion/survival through a PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.