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Canel M, Sławińska AD, Lonergan DW, Kallor AA, Upstill-Goddard R, Davidson C, von Kriegsheim A, Biankin AV, Byron A, Alfaro J, Serrels A. FAK suppresses antigen processing and presentation to promote immune evasion in pancreatic cancer. Gut 2023; 73:131-155. [PMID: 36977556 PMCID: PMC10715489 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has shown limited efficacy. Poor CD8 T-cell infiltration, low neoantigen load and a highly immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment contribute to this lack of response. Here, we aimed to further investigate the immunoregulatory function of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in PDAC, with specific emphasis on regulation of the type-II interferon response that is critical in promoting T-cell tumour recognition and effective immunosurveillance. DESIGN We combined CRISPR, proteogenomics and transcriptomics with mechanistic experiments using a KrasG12Dp53R172H mouse model of pancreatic cancer and validated findings using proteomic analysis of human patient-derived PDAC cell lines and analysis of publicly available human PDAC transcriptomics datasets. RESULTS Loss of PDAC cell-intrinsic FAK signalling promotes expression of the immunoproteasome and Major Histocompatibility Complex class-I (MHC-I), resulting in increased antigen diversity and antigen presentation by FAK-/- PDAC cells. Regulation of the immunoproteasome by FAK is a critical determinant of this response, optimising the physicochemical properties of the peptide repertoire for high affinity binding to MHC-I. Expression of these pathways can be further amplified in a STAT1-dependent manner via co-depletion of FAK and STAT3, resulting in extensive infiltration of tumour-reactive CD8 T-cells and further restraint of tumour growth. FAK-dependent regulation of antigen processing and presentation is conserved between mouse and human PDAC, but is lost in cells/tumours with an extreme squamous phenotype. CONCLUSION Therapies aimed at FAK degradation may unlock additional therapeutic benefit for the treatment of PDAC through increasing antigen diversity and promoting antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - David W Lonergan
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ashwin Adrian Kallor
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Rosie Upstill-Goddard
- The Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Catherine Davidson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew V Biankin
- The Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Adam Byron
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Javier Alfaro
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Parry JL, Canel M, Serrels A. Abstract C065: Dissecting the role of CXCL16 downstream of FAK inhibition in the anti-tumor immune response against pancreatic cancer. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.panca22-c065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Unfortunately, the impact of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer has, to date, been limited. Nonetheless, despite lack of success with checkpoint blockade alone, there is hope that combinations of agents may unlock the potential for immunotherapy success in pancreatic cancer. FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that is elevated in human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissue and correlates with high levels of fibrosis and poor CD8 cytotoxic T cell infiltration. We, and others, have already demonstrated a role for FAK in promoting tumor evasion by inducing an immunosuppressive microenvironment, specifically by regulation of cytokines such as CCL5. This has led to trials of the FAK inhibitor (defactinib) in conjunction with immunotherapy. Here we set out to improve our understanding of the role of FAK in regulating chemokine/cytokine mediated signaling in PDAC with a view to identify clinically targetable pathways with potential therapeutic benefit to pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: We combined CRISPR, NanoString, Forward Phase Protein Arrays (FPPA) and ELISA with in vivo experiments using a transplantable KrasG12Dp53R172H mouse model of Pancreatic Cancer and validated findings using human patient-derived PDAC cell lines. Results: We used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to deplete FAK gene expression in Panc47 cells, a syngeneic cell line isolated from PDAC arising in fully back-crossed C57BL/6 KPC mice, and reconstituted wild-type FAK (FAK-WT) expression into a clonal Panc47 FAK null (FAK-/-) cell line. Subsequent NanoString and FPPA analyses of secreted cytokines in Panc47 FAK-WT and Panc47 FAK-/- cell lines identified CXCL16 as one of the most significantly increased chemokines upon FAK depletion. Similar results were observed when CRISPR mediated FAK depletion was performed in patient-derived PDAC cell lines. Previous work in our lab has shown that depletion of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT3), a key mediator of immune evasion, in combination with FAK depletion in orthotopically implanted PDAC tumors significantly increases CD8 T-cell infiltration into murine tumors when compared with FAK-/- tumors alone. Here we identify that dual FAK/STAT3 depletion further elevates CXCL16 expression and show that CXCR6, the receptor for CXCL16, is associated with both murine and human CD8 T-cells. Conclusions: These findings identify a FAK-dependent CXCL16:CXCR6 paracrine signaling axis associated with elevated recruitment of CD8 T-cells into PDAC tumors. This requires the dual targeting of FAK and STAT3, identifying a novel therapeutic strategy that warrants further investigation.
Citation Format: Jane L. Parry, Marta Canel, Alan Serrels. Dissecting the role of CXCL16 downstream of FAK inhibition in the anti-tumor immune response against pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2022 Sep 13-16; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(22 Suppl):Abstract nr C065.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane L. Parry
- 1Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Canel
- 1Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Serrels
- 1Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Canel M, Slawinska A, Lonergan DW, Kallor AA, Upstill-Goddard R, Davidson C, von Kriegsheim A, Biankin AV, Bryron A, Alfaro J, Serrels A. Abstract C019: FAK suppresses antigen processing and presentation to promote immune evasion in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.panca22-c019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Immunotherapy for the treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has shown limited efficacy. Poor CD8 T-cell infiltration, low neoantigen load and a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment are key factors that contribute to this lack of response. Here, we identify a novel role for Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in regulating type-II interferon signalling in human and murine PDAC cells and tumors, leading to suppression of antigen processing and presentation pathways critical for T-cell tumor recognition. We find that FAK loss promotes expression of the immunoproteasome and MHC-I, resulting in a significant increase in the diversity of antigens presented by FAK-/- PDAC cells. We show that regulation of the immunoproteasome subunit Psmb8 (β5i) is a critical determinant of this response, optimising the physicochemical properties of the peptide repertoire for high-affinity binding to MHC-I. Expression of the immunoproteasome and MHC-I can be further amplified in a STAT1-dependent manner via co-depletion of FAK and STAT3, leading to extensive CD8 T-cell infiltration into PDAC tumors and further restraint of tumor growth. Regulation of antigen processing and presentation by FAK preferentially occurs in human and murine PDAC cells and tumors of the classical/progenitor molecular subtype, further suggesting that precision medicine approaches based on molecular subtyping should be integrated into current and future clinical testing of FAK targeted therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Citation Format: Marta Canel, Aleksandra Slawinska, David W. Lonergan, Ashwin A. Kallor, Rosie Upstill-Goddard, Catherine Davidson, Alex von Kriegsheim, Andrew V. Biankin, Adam Bryron, Javier Alfaro, Alan Serrels. FAK suppresses antigen processing and presentation to promote immune evasion in pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2022 Sep 13-16; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(22 Suppl):Abstract nr C019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- 1University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam Bryron
- 1University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,
| | | | - Alan Serrels
- 1University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,
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Davidson C, Taggart D, Sims AH, Lonergan DW, Canel M, Serrels A. FAK promotes stromal PD-L2 expression associated with poor survival in pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1893-1905. [PMID: 36138073 PMCID: PMC9643373 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01966-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic Cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, with less than 8% of patients surviving 5 years following diagnosis. The last 40 years have seen only small incremental improvements in treatment options, highlighting the continued need to better define the cellular and molecular pathways contributing to therapy response and patient prognosis. METHODS We combined CRISPR, shRNA and flow cytometry with mechanistic experiments using a KrasG12Dp53R172H mouse model of pancreatic cancer and analysis of publicly available human PDAC transcriptomic datasets. RESULTS Here, we identify that expression of the immune checkpoint, Programmed Death Ligand 2 (PD-L2), is associated with poor prognosis, tumour grade, clinical stage and molecular subtype in patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We further show that PD-L2 is predominantly expressed in the stroma and, using an orthotopic murine model of PDAC, identify cancer cell-intrinsic Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) signalling as a regulator of PD-L2 stromal expression. Mechanistically, we find that FAK regulates interleukin-6, which can act in concert with interleukin-4 secreted by CD4 T-cells to drive elevated expression of PD-L2 on tumour-associated macrophages, dendritic cells and endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify further complex heterocellular signalling networks contributing to FAK-mediated immune suppression in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Davidson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Hospital for Small Animals, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK
| | - David Taggart
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David W Lonergan
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marta Canel
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alan Serrels
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Canel M, Taggart D, Sims AH, Lonergan DW, Waizenegger IC, Serrels A. T-cell co-stimulation in combination with targeting FAK drives enhanced anti-tumor immunity. eLife 2020; 9:e48092. [PMID: 31959281 PMCID: PMC6974352 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical testing in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, which patients are most likely to benefit from FAK inhibitors, and what the optimal FAK/immunotherapy combinations are, is currently unknown. We identify that cancer cell expression of the T-cell co-stimulatory ligand CD80 sensitizes murine tumors to a FAK inhibitor and show that CD80 is expressed by human cancer cells originating from both solid epithelial cancers and some hematological malignancies in which FAK inhibitors have not been tested clinically. In the absence of CD80, we identify that targeting alternative T-cell co-stimulatory receptors, in particular OX-40 and 4-1BB in combination with FAK, can drive enhanced anti-tumor immunity and even complete regression of murine tumors. Our findings provide rationale supporting the clinical development of FAK inhibitors in combination with patient selection based on cancer cell CD80 expression, and alternatively with therapies targeting T-cell co-stimulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - David Taggart
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular MedicineUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - David W Lonergan
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Alan Serrels
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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McCormick B, Craig HE, Chu JY, Carlin LM, Canel M, Wollweber F, Toivakka M, Michael M, Astier AL, Norton L, Lilja J, Felton JM, Sasaki T, Ivaska J, Hers I, Dransfield I, Rossi AG, Vermeren S. A Negative Feedback Loop Regulates Integrin Inactivation and Promotes Neutrophil Recruitment to Inflammatory Sites. J Immunol 2019; 203:1579-1588. [PMID: 31427445 PMCID: PMC6731454 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Neutrophils are abundant circulating leukocytes that are rapidly recruited to sites of inflammation in an integrin-dependent fashion. Contrasting with the well-characterized regulation of integrin activation, mechanisms regulating integrin inactivation remain largely obscure. Using mouse neutrophils, we demonstrate in this study that the GTPase activating protein ARAP3 is a critical regulator of integrin inactivation; experiments with Chinese hamster ovary cells indicate that this is not restricted to neutrophils. Specifically, ARAP3 acts in a negative feedback loop downstream of PI3K to regulate integrin inactivation. Integrin ligand binding drives the activation of PI3K and of its effectors, including ARAP3, by outside-in signaling. ARAP3, in turn, promotes localized integrin inactivation by negative inside-out signaling. This negative feedback loop reduces integrin-mediated PI3K activity, with ARAP3 effectively switching off its own activator, while promoting turnover of substrate adhesions. In vitro, ARAP3-deficient neutrophils display defective PIP3 polarization, adhesion turnover, and transendothelial migration. In vivo, ARAP3-deficient neutrophils are characterized by a neutrophil-autonomous recruitment defect to sites of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry McCormick
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Helen E Craig
- Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Y Chu
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Leo M Carlin
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Canel
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Florian Wollweber
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Matilda Toivakka
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Melina Michael
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Anne L Astier
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
- Centre de Physiopathologie Toulouse-Purpan, INSERM U1043, CNRS U5282, Université Toulouse, 31024 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Laura Norton
- Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna Lilja
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Jennifer M Felton
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Takehiko Sasaki
- Department of Biochemical Pathophysiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; and
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Centre de Physiopathologie Toulouse-Purpan, INSERM U1043, CNRS U5282, Université Toulouse, 31024 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Ingeborg Hers
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Dransfield
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Adriano G Rossi
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Sonja Vermeren
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom;
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Findlay EG, Currie AJ, Zhang A, Ovciarikova J, Young L, Stevens H, McHugh BJ, Canel M, Gray M, Milling SWF, Campbell JDM, Savill J, Serrels A, Davidson DJ. Exposure to the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 produces dendritic cells optimized for immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:1608106. [PMID: 31413918 PMCID: PMC6682359 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1608106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization of patients with autologous, ex vivo matured dendritic cell (DC) preparations, in order to prime antitumor T-cell responses, is the focus of intense research. Despite progress and approval of clinical approaches, significant enhancement of these personalized immunotherapies is urgently needed to improve efficacy. We show that immunotherapeutic murine and human DC, generated in the presence of the antimicrobial host defense peptide LL-37, have dramatically enhanced expansion and differentiation of cells with key features of the critical CD103+/CD141+ DC subsets, including enhanced cross-presentation and co-stimulatory capacity, and upregulation of CCR7 with improved migratory capacity. These LL-37-DC enhanced proliferation, activation and cytokine production by CD8+ (but not CD4+) T cells in vitro and in vivo. Critically, tumor antigen-presenting LL-37-DC increased migration of primed, activated CD8+ T cells into established squamous cell carcinomas in mice, and resulted in tumor regression. This advance therefore has the potential to dramatically enhance DC immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Gwyer Findlay
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew J Currie
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ailiang Zhang
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jana Ovciarikova
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lisa Young
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Holly Stevens
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brian J McHugh
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marta Canel
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mohini Gray
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon W F Milling
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - John D M Campbell
- Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Heriot Watt Research Park, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John Savill
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alan Serrels
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Donald J Davidson
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Serrels B, McGivern N, Canel M, Byron A, Johnson SC, McSorley HJ, Quinn N, Taggart D, Von Kreigsheim A, Anderton SM, Serrels A, Frame MC. IL-33 and ST2 mediate FAK-dependent antitumor immune evasion through transcriptional networks. Sci Signal 2017; 10:eaan8355. [PMID: 29208683 PMCID: PMC6128400 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan8355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) mediates tumor cell-intrinsic behaviors that promote tumor growth and metastasis. We previously showed that FAK also induces the expression of inflammatory genes that inhibit antitumor immunity in the microenvironment. We identified a crucial, previously unknown role for the dual-function cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33) in FAK-dependent immune evasion. In murine squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, specifically nuclear FAK enhanced the expression of the genes encoding IL-33, the chemokine CCL5, and the soluble, secreted form of the IL-33 receptor, called soluble ST2 (sST2). The abundance of IL-33 and CCL5 was increased in FAK-positive SCC cells but not in normal keratinocytes. IL-33 associated with FAK in the nucleus, and the FAK-IL-33 complex interacted with a network of chromatin modifiers and transcriptional regulators, including TAF9, WDR82, and BRD4, which promote the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and its induction of genes encoding chemokines, including CCL5. We did not detect secretion of IL-33 from FAK-positive SCC cells; thus, we propose that the increased production and secretion of sST2 likely sequesters IL-33 secreted by other cell types within the tumor environment, thus blocking its stimulatory effects on infiltrating host immune cells. Depleting FAK, IL-33, or sST2 from SCC cells before implantation induced tumor regression in syngeneic mice, except when CD8+ T cells were co-depleted. Our data provide mechanistic insight into how FAK controls the tumor immune environment, namely, through a transcriptional regulatory network mediated by nuclear IL-33. Targeting this axis may boost antitumor immunity in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK.
| | - Niamh McGivern
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Marta Canel
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Adam Byron
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Sarah C Johnson
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Henry J McSorley
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Niall Quinn
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - David Taggart
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Alex Von Kreigsheim
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Stephen M Anderton
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Alan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK.
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Margaret C Frame
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK.
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Creedon H, Gómez-Cuadrado L, Tarnauskaitė Ž, Balla J, Canel M, MacLeod KG, Serrels B, Fraser C, Unciti-Broceta A, Tracey N, Le Bihan T, Klinowska T, Sims AH, Byron A, Brunton VG. Identification of novel pathways linking epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition with resistance to HER2-targeted therapy. Oncotarget 2017; 7:11539-52. [PMID: 26883193 PMCID: PMC4905492 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer is a major clinical problem. To identify pathways linked to resistance, we generated HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines which are resistant to either lapatinib or AZD8931, two pan-HER family kinase inhibitors. Resistance was HER2 independent and was associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), resulting in increased proliferation and migration of the resistant cells. Using a global proteomics approach, we identified a novel set of EMT-associated proteins linked to HER2-independent resistance. We demonstrate that a subset of these EMT-associated genes is predictive of prognosis within the ERBB2 subtype of human breast cancers. Furthermore, targeting the EMT-associated kinases Src and Axl potently inhibited proliferation of the resistant cells, and inhibitors to these kinases may provide additional options for the treatment of HER2-independent resistance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Creedon
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Laura Gómez-Cuadrado
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Žygimantė Tarnauskaitė
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Jozef Balla
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Marta Canel
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Kenneth G MacLeod
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Bryan Serrels
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Craig Fraser
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Natasha Tracey
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | | | - Teresa Klinowska
- AstraZeneca Oncology iMed, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Adam Byron
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Valerie G Brunton
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
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10
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Canel M, Byron A, Sims AH, Cartier J, Patel H, Frame MC, Brunton VG, Serrels B, Serrels A. Nuclear FAK and Runx1 Cooperate to Regulate IGFBP3, Cell-Cycle Progression, and Tumor Growth. Cancer Res 2017; 77:5301-5312. [PMID: 28807942 PMCID: PMC6126615 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-0418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a potentially important regulator of gene expression in cancer, impacting both cellular function and the composition of the surrounding tumor microenvironment. Here, we report in a murine model of skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that nuclear FAK regulates Runx1-dependent transcription of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and that this regulates SCC cell-cycle progression and tumor growth in vivo Furthermore, we identified a novel molecular complex between FAK and Runx1 in the nucleus of SCC cells and showed that FAK interacted with a number of Runx1-regulatory proteins, including Sin3a and other epigenetic modifiers known to alter Runx1 transcriptional function through posttranslational modification. These findings provide important new insights into the role of FAK as a scaffolding protein in molecular complexes that regulate gene transcription. Cancer Res; 77(19); 5301-12. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Byron
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jessy Cartier
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Hitesh Patel
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret C Frame
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Valerie G Brunton
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bryan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Alan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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11
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Serrels A, Lund T, Serrels B, Byron A, McPherson RC, von Kriegsheim A, Gómez-Cuadrado L, Canel M, Muir M, Ring JE, Maniati E, Sims AH, Pachter JA, Brunton VG, Gilbert N, Anderton SM, Nibbs RJB, Frame MC. Nuclear FAK controls chemokine transcription, Tregs, and evasion of anti-tumor immunity. Cell 2015; 163:160-73. [PMID: 26406376 PMCID: PMC4597190 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) promotes anti-tumor immune evasion. Specifically, the kinase activity of nuclear-targeted FAK in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells drives exhaustion of CD8(+) T cells and recruitment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment by regulating chemokine/cytokine and ligand-receptor networks, including via transcription of Ccl5, which is crucial. These changes inhibit antigen-primed cytotoxic CD8(+) T cell activity, permitting growth of FAK-expressing tumors. Mechanistically, nuclear FAK is associated with chromatin and exists in complex with transcription factors and their upstream regulators that control Ccl5 expression. Furthermore, FAK's immuno-modulatory nuclear activities may be specific to cancerous squamous epithelial cells, as normal keratinocytes do not have nuclear FAK. Finally, we show that a small-molecule FAK kinase inhibitor, VS-4718, which is currently in clinical development, also drives depletion of Tregs and promotes a CD8(+) T cell-mediated anti-tumor response. Therefore, FAK inhibitors may trigger immune-mediated tumor regression, providing previously unrecognized therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Serrels
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK.
| | - Tom Lund
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Bryan Serrels
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Adam Byron
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Rhoanne C McPherson
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Alexander von Kriegsheim
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Laura Gómez-Cuadrado
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Marta Canel
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Morwenna Muir
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Jennifer E Ring
- Verastem Inc., 117 Kendrick Street, Suite 500, Needham, MA 02494, USA
| | - Eleni Maniati
- Queen Mary, University of London, Centre for Cancer and Inflammation, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | | | - Valerie G Brunton
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Nick Gilbert
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Stephen M Anderton
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Robert J B Nibbs
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Margaret C Frame
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK.
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12
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Abstract
E-cadherin is a single-pass transmembrane protein that mediates homophilic cell-cell interactions. Tumour progression is often associated with the loss of E-cadherin function and the transition to a more motile and invasive phenotype. This requires the coordinated regulation of both E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions and integrin-mediated adhesions that contact the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Regulation of both types of adhesion is dynamic as cells respond to external cues from the tumour microenvironment that regulate polarity, directional migration and invasion. Here, we review the mechanisms by which tumour cells control the cross-regulation between dynamic E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions and integrin-mediated cell-matrix contacts, which govern the invasive and metastatic potential of tumours. In particular, we will discuss the role of the adhesion-linked kinases Src, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and integrin-linked kinase (ILK), and the Rho family of GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
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13
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Frame M, Serrels A, Serrels B, Canel M, Sandilands E, Patel H, Brunton V. 202 Imaging and targeting the drivers of invasion and metastasis. Eur J Cancer 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(12)70270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Serrels A, McLeod K, Canel M, Kinnaird A, Graham K, Frame MC, Brunton VG. The role of focal adhesion kinase catalytic activity on the proliferation and migration of squamous cell carcinoma cells. Int J Cancer 2011; 131:287-97. [PMID: 21823119 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is upregulated in several epithelial tumours and there has been considerable interest in developing small molecule kinase inhibitors of FAK. However, FAK also has important adaptor functions within the cell, integrating signals from both integrins and growth factors. To investigate the role of FAKs kinase domain, we generated fak-deficient squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines. Re-expression of a wild type or kinase dead FAK allowed us to delineate its kinase dependent functions. In addition, we used the novel FAK kinase inhibitor PF-562,271. The kinase activity of FAK was important for tumour cell migration and polarity but more striking was its requirement for the anchorage independent 3 dimensional (3D) proliferation of SCC cells and their growth as xenografts in mice. Inhibition of FAK activity and prevention of growth in 3D correlated with Src inhibition. We further identified a mechanism whereby FAK regulates proliferation in 3D via regulation of the kinase activity of Src. This was dependent on the kinase activity of FAK and its resulting phosphorylation on Y397 that provides a high affinity binding site for Src. These data support the further development of FAK kinase inhibitors as agents that have the potential to inhibit both tumour cell migration and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Serrels
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Genetics & Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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15
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Serrels A, Canel M, Brunton VG, Frame MC. Src/FAK-mediated regulation of E-cadherin as a mechanism for controlling collective cell movement: insights from in vivo imaging. Cell Adh Migr 2011; 5:360-5. [PMID: 21836391 DOI: 10.4161/cam.5.4.17290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in confocal and multi-photon microscopy, together with fluorescent probe development, have enabled cancer biology studies to go beyond the culture dish and interrogate cancer-associated processes in the complex in vivo environment. Regulation of the tumor suppressor protein E-cadherin plays an important role in cancer development and progression and may contribute to the decision between 'single cell' and 'collective invasion' in vivo. Mounting evidence from in vitro and in vivo experiments places the two non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases Src and Focal Adhesion Kinase, at the heart of E-cadherin regulation, and the crosstalk between integrins and cadherins. Here we discuss recent insights, attained using high resolution fluorescent in vivo imaging, into the regulation of E-cadherin and collective invasion. We focus on the regulatory crosstalk between the Src/FAK signaling axis and E-cadherin in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Serrels
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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16
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Canel M, Serrels A, Anderson KI, Frame MC, Brunton VG. Use of photoactivation and photobleaching to monitor the dynamic regulation of E-cadherin at the plasma membrane. Cell Adh Migr 2011; 4:491-501. [PMID: 20595808 DOI: 10.4161/cam.4.4.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic control of E-cadherin is critical for establishing and maintaining cell-cell junctions in epithelial cells. The concentration of E-cadherin molecules at adherens junctions (AJs) is regulated by lateral movement of E-cadherin within the plasma membrane and endocytosis. Here we set out to study the interplay between these processes and their contribution to E-cadherin dynamics. Using photoactivation (PA) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) we were able to monitor the fate of E-cadherin molecules within the plasma membrane. Our results suggest that the motility of E-cadherin within, and away from, the cell surface are not exclusive or independent mechanisms and there is a fine balance between the two which when perturbed can have dramatic effects on the regulation of AJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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17
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Canel M, Serrels A, Miller D, Timpson P, Serrels B, Frame MC, Brunton VG. Quantitative in vivo imaging of the effects of inhibiting integrin signaling via Src and FAK on cancer cell movement: effects on E-cadherin dynamics. Cancer Res 2010; 70:9413-22. [PMID: 21045155 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Most cancer-related deaths are due to the development of metastatic disease, and several new molecularly targeted agents in clinical development have the potential to prevent disease progression. However, it remains difficult to assess the efficacy of antimetastatic agents in the clinical setting, and an increased understanding of how such agents work at different stages of the metastatic cascade is important in guiding their clinical use. We used optical window chambers combined with photobleaching, photoactivation, and photoswitching to quantitatively measure (a) tumor cell movement and proliferation by tracking small groups of cells in the context of the whole tumor, and (b) E-cadherin molecular dynamics in vivo following perturbation of integrin signaling by inhibiting focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src. We show that inhibition of Src and FAK suppresses E-cadherin-dependent collective cell movement in a complex three-dimensional tumor environment, and modulates cell-cell adhesion strength and endocytosis in vitro. This shows a novel role for integrin signaling in the regulation of E-cadherin internalization, which is linked to regulation of collective cancer cell movement. This work highlights the power of fluorescent, direct, in vivo imaging approaches in the preclinical evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents, and shows that inhibition of the Src/FAK signaling axis may provide a strategy to prevent tumor cell spread by deregulating E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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18
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Frame M, Serrels B, Serrels A, Canel M, Sandilands E, Brunton V. 613 Targeting invasion and metastasis. EJC Suppl 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(10)71414-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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19
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Serrels B, Sandilands E, Serrels A, Baillie G, Houslay MD, Brunton VG, Canel M, Machesky LM, Anderson KI, Frame MC. A complex between FAK, RACK1, and PDE4D5 controls spreading initiation and cancer cell polarity. Curr Biol 2010; 20:1086-92. [PMID: 20493699 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Revised: 04/15/2010] [Accepted: 04/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A fundamental question in cell biology concerns how cells respond to their environment by polarizing after sensing directional cues. This requires the differential localization of protein complexes in cells, and it is important to identify and understand how these complexes function. Here we describe a novel "direction-sensing" pathway that links the integrin effector focal adhesion kinase (FAK), the molecular scaffold protein RACK1, and activity of one of its client proteins, PDE4D5, a cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase. The complex is recruited to nascent adhesions and promotes cell polarity. We identify FAK FERM domain residues whose mutation impairs RACK1 binding. When re-expressed in cancer cells in which endogenous fak is deleted by Cre-lox-mediated recombination, the RACK1-binding-impaired FAK mutant protein does not support formation of nascent actin adhesion structures as cells spread. These cancer cells, like FAK-deficient cells, cannot undergo directional responses, including wound-induced polarization or chemotactic invasion into three-dimensional matrix gels. We show that RACK1 serves as the molecular bridge linking FAK to the recruitment of PDE4D5. FAK/RACK1/PDE4D5 is a novel 'direction-sensing' complex that acts to recruit specific components of the cAMP second-messenger system to nascent integrin adhesions and to the leading edge of polarizing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Serrels
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
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20
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Timpson P, Serrels A, Canel M, Frame MC, Brunton VG, Anderson KI. Quantitative real-time imaging of molecular dynamics during cancer cell invasion and metastasis in vivo. Cell Adh Migr 2009; 3:351-4. [PMID: 19690469 DOI: 10.4161/cam.3.4.9460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite our advanced understanding of primary cancer development and progression, metastasis and the systemic spread of the disease to secondary sites remains the leading cause of cancer-associated death. The metastatic process is therefore a major potential therapeutic target area for cancer researchers and elucidating the key steps that are susceptible to therapeutic intervention will be critical to improve our treatment strategies. Recent advances in intravital imaging are rapidly improving our insight into this process and are helping in the design of stage-specific drug regimes for the treatment of metastatic cancer. Here we discuss current developments in intravital imaging and our recent use of photobleaching and photoactivation in the analysis of dynamic biomarkers in living animals to assess the efficacy of therapeutic intervention on early stages of tumor cell metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Timpson
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, UK.
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21
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Serrels A, Timpson P, Canel M, Schwarz JP, Carragher NO, Frame MC, Brunton VG, Anderson KI. Real-time study of E-cadherin and membrane dynamics in living animals: implications for disease modeling and drug development. Cancer Res 2009; 69:2714-9. [PMID: 19318551 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-4308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The ability of tumor cells to invade and metastasize requires deregulation of interactions with adjacent cells and the extracellular matrix. A major challenge of cancer biology is to observe the dynamics of the proteins involved in this process in their functional and physiologic context. Here, for the first time, we have used photobleaching and photoactivation to compare the mobility of cell adhesion and plasma membrane probes in vitro and in tumors grown in mice (in vivo). We find differences between in vitro and in vivo recovery dynamics of two key molecules, the tumor suppressor E-cadherin and the membrane-targeting sequence of H-Ras. Our data show that E-cadherin dynamics are significantly faster in vivo compared with cultured cells, that the ratio of E-cadherin stabilized in cell-cell junctions is significantly higher in vivo, and that E-cadherin mobility correlates with cell migration. Moreover, quantitative imaging has allowed us to assess the effects of therapeutic intervention on E-cadherin dynamics using dasatinib, a clinically approved Src inhibitor, and show clear differences in the efficacy of drug treatment in vivo. Our results show for the first time the utility of photobleaching and photoactivation in the analysis of dynamic biomarkers in living animals. Furthermore, this work highlights critical differences in molecular dynamics in vitro and in vivo, which have important implications for the use of cultured disease models as surrogates for living tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Serrels
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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22
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Serrels B, Serrels A, Mason SM, Baldeschi C, Ashton GH, Canel M, Mackintosh LJ, Doyle B, Green TP, Frame MC, Sansom OJ, Brunton VG. A novel Src kinase inhibitor reduces tumour formation in a skin carcinogenesis model. Carcinogenesis 2008; 30:249-57. [PMID: 19060248 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgn278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Src family tyrosine kinases are key modulators of cancer cell invasion and metastasis and a number of Src kinase inhibitors are currently in clinical development for the treatment of solid tumours. However, there is growing evidence that Src is also upregulated at very early stages of epithelial cancer development. We have investigated the role of Src in mouse skin, which is one of the most tractable models of epithelial homoeostasis and tumorigenesis. We found that Src protein expression and activity was regulated during the normal hair cycle and was increased specifically during the proliferative anagen phase and also in response to the tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). AZD0530, a selective Src inhibitor, prevented the TPA-induced proliferation of basal keratinocytes both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, treatment with AZD0530 reduced papilloma formation following the well-established 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene/TPA skin carcinogenesis protocol but did not inhibit the subsequent proliferation of the papillomas. Furthermore, AZD0530 did not alter the malignant conversion of papillomas to squamous cell carcinoma suggesting a role for Src in early tumour development in the skin carcinogenesis model, rather than at later stages of tumour progression. Src expression and activity were also seen in human actinic keratoses that are hyperproliferative pre-malignant skin lesions, indicating that Src may also play a role in the early stages of human skin tumour development. Thus, Src inhibitors such as AZD0530 may therefore have chemopreventative properties in patients with hyperproliferative epidermal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Serrels
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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23
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Canel M, Secades P, Garzón-Arango M, Allonca E, Suarez C, Serrels A, Frame M, Brunton V, Chiara MD. Involvement of focal adhesion kinase in cellular invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas via regulation of MMP-2 expression. Br J Cancer 2008; 98:1274-84. [PMID: 18349846 PMCID: PMC2359633 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is considered intimately involved in cancer progression. Our previous research has demonstrated that overexpression of FAK is an early and frequent event in squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx, and it is associated with the presence of metastases in cervical lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to examine the functional role of FAK in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). To this end, expression of FAK-related nonkinase (FRNK) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against FAK was used to disrupt the FAK-induced signal transduction pathways in the HNSCC-derived SCC40 and SCC38 cell lines. Similar phenotypic effects were observed with the two methodological approaches in both cell lines. Decreased cell attachment, motility and invasion were induced by FRNK and FAK siRNA, whereas cell proliferation was not impaired. In addition, increased cell invasion was observed upon FAK overexpression in SCC cells. FRNK expression resulted in a downregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Interestingly, MMP-2 overexpression in FRNK-expressing cells rescued FRNK inhibition of cell invasion. This is the first demonstration of a direct rescue of impaired cell invasion by the re-expression of MMP-2 in a tumour cell type with decreased expression of functional FAK. Collectively, these data reported here support the conclusion that FAK enhances invasion of HNSCC by promoting both increased cell motility and MMP-2 production, thus providing new insights into possible therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Canel
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Asturias, Spain
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Canel M, Secades P, Rodrigo JP, Cabanillas R, Herrero A, Suarez C, Chiara MD. Overexpression of focal adhesion kinase in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is independent of fak gene copy number. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 12:3272-9. [PMID: 16740747 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-1583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The development of human malignancies can involve the aberrant regulation of intracellular signal transduction pathways that regulate cell-extracellular matrix interactions. PURPOSE In the current study, we aimed to evaluate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at both genetic and protein expression levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and to explore the prognostic significance of FAK. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A total of 211 tissue specimens, including 147 primary tumors, 56 lymph node metastases, 3 benign hyperplasias, and 5 dysplasias, were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The fak gene dosage was determined in 33 tumors. Correlations among DNA, protein, and clinicopathologic variables were analyzed. RESULTS FAK protein was overexpressed in HNSCCs compared with corresponding normal mucosa. High expression levels were found in 62% of the samples. Positive immunostaining was also detected in benign hyperplasias and preinvasive dysplastic lesions. All lymph node metastases examined showed FAK overexpression, with significant correlation with the expression in matched primary tumor. DNA copy number ratios for fak were higher in 39% of the tumors compared with normal mucosa. However, elevated FAK expression did not correlate with gains on DNA level, and not all cases with an amplification of the fak gene displayed protein overexpression. Similar data were obtained in five HNSCC-derived cell lines, in which FAK mRNA levels were precisely correlated with FAK protein levels. FAK protein overexpression in tumors correlated with nodal metastases. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an involvement of FAK in the onset and progression of HNSCC and provide an insight into a mechanism of FAK activation alternative to gene amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Spain
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25
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Rodrigo JP, Dominguez F, Suárez V, Canel M, Secades P, Chiara MD. Focal Adhesion Kinase and E-Cadherin as Markers for Nodal Metastasis in Laryngeal Cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 133:145-50. [PMID: 17309983 DOI: 10.1001/archotol.133.2.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the value of E-cadherin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression in the prediction of cervical lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. DESIGN Immunohistochemical analysis of retrospectively selected cases. Patients The study population was composed of 95 previously untreated men with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. Intervention All the patients underwent surgical resection of the tumor and bilateral neck dissection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES E-cadherin and FAK expression in relation to nodal metastases. RESULTS Decreased E-cadherin expression was correlated with the presence of nodal metastases (P = .006). The combination of E-cadherin and FAK expression resulted in a superior accuracy in assessing nodal metastasis (P = .001). Histological grade was also associated with nodal metastases (P = .005). Multivariate analysis confirmed that these parameters were independent predictors of nodal metastases. In addition, the cases with decreased E-cadherin and increased FAK expression presented a significantly reduced disease-specific survival (P = .005). CONCLUSION The combination of the expression of E-cadherin and FAK could increase our ability to identify patients with clinically negative lymph nodes who are at considerable risk for occult metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
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Rodrigo JP, Cabanillas R, Secades P, Canel M, Chiara MD, Suárez C. Relationship Between FAK and P53 Expression in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Larynx. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 58:347-51. [DOI: 10.1016/s2173-5735(07)70365-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cabanillas R, Canel M, Rodrigo JP, Chiara MD, Suarez-Nieto C, Sausville EA, Van Waes C. Expression of the Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 alpha in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.otohns.2004.06.308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Cabanillas
- Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Rockville MD; Brookeville MD
| | - Marta Canel
- Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Rockville MD; Brookeville MD
| | - Juan Pablo Rodrigo
- Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Rockville MD; Brookeville MD
| | - Maria Dolores Chiara
- Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Rockville MD; Brookeville MD
| | - Carlos Suarez-Nieto
- Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Rockville MD; Brookeville MD
| | - Edward A. Sausville
- Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Rockville MD; Brookeville MD
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Oviedo Spain; Rockville MD; Brookeville MD
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Ullrich H, Canel M. �ber das photoperiodische Wirkungsspektrum bei Isaria-Sommergerste. Naturwissenschaften 1939. [DOI: 10.1007/bf01491640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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