1
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Stejerean‐Todoran I, Zimmermann K, Gibhardt CS, Vultur A, Ickes C, Shannan B, Bonilla del Rio Z, Wölling A, Cappello S, Sung H, Shumanska M, Zhang X, Nanadikar M, Latif MU, Wittek A, Lange F, Waters A, Brafford P, Wilting J, Urlaub H, Katschinski DM, Rehling P, Lenz C, Jakobs S, Ellenrieder V, Roesch A, Schön MP, Herlyn M, Stanisz H, Bogeski I. MCU
controls melanoma progression through a redox‐controlled phenotype switch. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54746. [PMID: 36156348 PMCID: PMC9638851 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202254746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest of skin cancers and has a high tendency to metastasize to distant organs. Calcium and metabolic signals contribute to melanoma invasiveness; however, the underlying molecular details are elusive. The MCU complex is a major route for calcium into the mitochondrial matrix but whether MCU affects melanoma pathobiology was not understood. Here, we show that MCUA expression correlates with melanoma patient survival and is decreased in BRAF kinase inhibitor‐resistant melanomas. Knockdown (KD) of MCUA suppresses melanoma cell growth and stimulates migration and invasion. In melanoma xenografts, MCUA_KD reduces tumor volumes but promotes lung metastases. Proteomic analyses and protein microarrays identify pathways that link MCUA and melanoma cell phenotype and suggest a major role for redox regulation. Antioxidants enhance melanoma cell migration, while prooxidants diminish the MCUA_KD‐induced invasive phenotype. Furthermore, MCUA_KD increases melanoma cell resistance to immunotherapies and ferroptosis. Collectively, we demonstrate that MCUA controls melanoma aggressive behavior and therapeutic sensitivity. Manipulations of mitochondrial calcium and redox homeostasis, in combination with current therapies, should be considered in treating advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Stejerean‐Todoran
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | | | - Christine S Gibhardt
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
- The Wistar Institute Melanoma Research Center Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Christian Ickes
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Batool Shannan
- The Wistar Institute Melanoma Research Center Philadelphia PA USA
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, West German Cancer Center University Duisburg‐Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)
| | - Zuriñe Bonilla del Rio
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Anna Wölling
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Sabrina Cappello
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Hsu‐Min Sung
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Magdalena Shumanska
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Xin Zhang
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Maithily Nanadikar
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Muhammad U Latif
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology University Medical Center Göttingen Gottingen Germany
| | - Anna Wittek
- Department of NanoBiophotonics Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Göttingen Germany
- Clinic of Neurology University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Felix Lange
- Department of NanoBiophotonics Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Göttingen Germany
- Clinic of Neurology University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Andrea Waters
- The Wistar Institute Melanoma Research Center Philadelphia PA USA
| | | | - Jörg Wilting
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Göttingen Germany
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Clinical Chemistry University Medical Center Göttingen Germany
| | - Dörthe M Katschinski
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Peter Rehling
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry University Medical Center Göttingen, GZMB Göttingen Germany
| | - Christof Lenz
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Göttingen Germany
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Clinical Chemistry University Medical Center Göttingen Germany
| | - Stefan Jakobs
- Department of NanoBiophotonics Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Göttingen Germany
- Clinic of Neurology University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology University Medical Center Göttingen Gottingen Germany
| | - Alexander Roesch
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, West German Cancer Center University Duisburg‐Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)
| | - Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute Melanoma Research Center Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Hedwig Stanisz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Georg‐August‐University Göttingen Germany
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2
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Stejerean-Todoran I, Gimotty PA, Watters A, Brafford P, Krepler C, Godok T, Li H, Bonilla Del Rio Z, Zieseniss A, Katschinski DM, Sertel SM, Rizzoli SO, Garman B, Nathanson KL, Xu X, Chen Q, Oswald JH, Lotem M, Mills GB, Davies MA, Schön MP, Bogeski I, Herlyn M, Vultur A. A distinct pattern of growth and RAC1 signaling in melanoma brain metastasis cells. Neuro Oncol 2022; 25:674-686. [PMID: 36054930 PMCID: PMC10076948 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac212] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers, has a high propensity to form brain metastases that are associated with a markedly worsened prognosis. In spite of recent therapeutic advances, melanoma brain lesions remain a clinical challenge, biomarkers predicting brain dissemination are not clear and differences with other metastatic sites are poorly understood. METHODS We examined a genetically diverse panel of human-derived melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) and extracranial cell lines using targeted sequencing, a Reverse Phase Protein Array, protein expression analyses, and functional studies in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Brain-specific genetic alterations were not detected; however, MBM cells in vitro displayed lower proliferation rates and MBM-specific protein expression patterns associated with proliferation, DNA damage, adhesion, and migration. MBM lines displayed higher levels of RAC1 expression, involving a distinct RAC1-PAK1-JNK1 signaling network. RAC1 knockdown or treatment with small molecule inhibitors contributed to a less aggressive MBM phenotype in vitro, while RAC1 knockdown in vivo led to reduced tumor volumes and delayed tumor appearance. Proliferation, adhesion, and migration were higher in MBM vs. non-MBM lines in the presence of insulin or brain-derived factors and were affected by RAC1 levels. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that despite their genetic variability, MBM engage specific molecular processes such as RAC1 signaling to adapt to the brain microenvironment and this can be used for the molecular characterization and treatment of brain metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Stejerean-Todoran
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Phyllis A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrea Watters
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia Brafford
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tetiana Godok
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Haiyin Li
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zuriñe Bonilla Del Rio
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anke Zieseniss
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dörthe M Katschinski
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sinem M Sertel
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bradley Garman
- Department of Medicine, Div. Translational Medicine and Human Genetics; Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Department of Medicine, Div. Translational Medicine and Human Genetics; Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qing Chen
- Immunology Microenvironment & Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jack H Oswald
- Immunology Microenvironment & Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michal Lotem
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IL
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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3
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Hristova DM, Fukumoto T, Takemori C, Gao L, Hua X, Wang JX, Li L, Beqiri M, Watters A, Vultur A, Gimie Y, Rebecca V, Samarkina A, Jimbo H, Nishigori C, Zhang J, Cheng C, Wei Z, Somasundaram R, Fukunaga-Kalabis M, Herlyn M. NUMB as a Therapeutic Target for Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:1882-1892.e5. [PMID: 34883044 PMCID: PMC9704357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The upregulation of the adaptor protein NUMB triggers melanocytic differentiation from multipotent skin stem cells, which share many properties with aggressive melanoma cells. Although NUMB acts as a tumor suppressor in various human cancer types, little is known about its role in melanoma. In this study, we investigated the role of NUMB in melanoma progression and its regulatory mechanism. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas melanoma datasets revealed that high NUMB expression in melanoma tissues correlates with improved patient survival. Moreover, NUMB expression is downregulated in metastatic melanoma cells. NUMB knockdown significantly increased the invasion potential of melanoma cells in a three-dimensional collagen matrix in vitro and in the lungs of a mouse model in vivo; it also significantly upregulated the expression of the NOTCH target gene CCNE. Previous studies suggested that Wnt signaling increases NUMB expression. By mimicking Wnt stimulation through glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition, we increased NUMB expression in melanoma cells. Furthermore, a glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor reduced the invasion of melanoma cells in a NUMB-dependent manner. Together, our results suggest that NUMB suppresses invasion and metastasis in melanoma, potentially through its regulation of the NOTCH‒CCNE axis and that the inhibitors that upregulate NUMB can exert therapeutic effects in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takeshi Fukumoto
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Takemori
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Le Gao
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Xia Hua
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joshua X Wang
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ling Li
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Adina Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yusra Gimie
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vito Rebecca
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Haruki Jimbo
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Chikako Nishigori
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chaoran Cheng
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Zhi Wei
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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4
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Cappello S, Sung HM, Ickes C, Gibhardt CS, Vultur A, Bhat H, Hu Z, Brafford P, Denger A, Stejerean-Todoran I, Köhn RM, Lorenz V, Künzel N, Salinas G, Stanisz H, Legler T, Rehling P, Schön MP, Lang KS, Helms V, Herlyn M, Hoth M, Kummerow C, Bogeski I. Protein Signatures of NK Cell-Mediated Melanoma Killing Predict Response to Immunotherapies. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5540-5554. [PMID: 34518212 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite impressive advances in melanoma-directed immunotherapies, resistance is common and many patients still succumb to metastatic disease. In this context, harnessing natural killer (NK) cells, which have thus far been sidelined in the development of melanoma immunotherapy, could provide therapeutic benefits for cancer treatment. To identify molecular determinants of NK cell-mediated melanoma killing (NKmK), we quantified NK-cell cytotoxicity against a panel of genetically diverse melanoma cell lines and observed highly heterogeneous susceptibility. Melanoma protein microarrays revealed a correlation between NKmK and the abundance and activity of a subset of proteins, including several metabolic factors. Oxidative phoshorylation, measured by oxygen consumption rate, negatively correlated with melanoma cell sensitivity toward NKmK, and proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolism and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were confirmed to regulate NKmK. Two- and three-dimensional killing assays and melanoma xenografts established that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis controls NKmK via regulation of NK cell-relevant surface proteins. A "protein-killing-signature" based on the protein analysis predicted NKmK of additional melanoma cell lines and the response of patients with melanoma to anti-PD-1 checkpoint therapy. Collectively, these findings identify novel NK cell-related prognostic biomarkers and may contribute to improved and personalized melanoma-directed immunotherapies. SIGNIFICANCE: NK-cell cytotoxicity assays and protein microarrays reveal novel biomarkers of NK cell-mediated melanoma killing and enable development of signatures to predict melanoma patient responsiveness to immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Cappello
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany.,Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Hsu-Min Sung
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Ickes
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christine S Gibhardt
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany.,The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hilal Bhat
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Zhongwen Hu
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Patricia Brafford
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andreas Denger
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Ioana Stejerean-Todoran
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rixa-Mareike Köhn
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Verena Lorenz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Künzel
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- NGS- Core Unit for Integrative Genomics, Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hedwig Stanisz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Legler
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Rehling
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karl S Lang
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Volkhard Helms
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Markus Hoth
- Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Kummerow
- Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany. .,Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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5
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Liu J, Rebecca VW, Kossenkov AV, Connelly T, Liu Q, Gutierrez A, Xiao M, Li L, Zhang G, Samarkina A, Zayasbazan D, Zhang J, Cheng C, Wei Z, Alicea GM, Fukunaga-Kalabis M, Krepler C, Aza-Blanc P, Yang CC, Delvadia B, Tong C, Huang Y, Delvadia M, Morias AS, Sproesser K, Brafford P, Wang JX, Beqiri M, Somasundaram R, Vultur A, Hristova DM, Wu LW, Lu Y, Mills GB, Xu W, Karakousis GC, Xu X, Schuchter LM, Mitchell TC, Amaravadi RK, Kwong LN, Frederick DT, Boland GM, Salvino JM, Speicher DW, Flaherty KT, Ronai ZA, Herlyn M. Neural Crest-Like Stem Cell Transcriptome Analysis Identifies LPAR1 in Melanoma Progression and Therapy Resistance. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5230-5241. [PMID: 34462276 PMCID: PMC8530965 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is challenging to clinically address. Although standard-of-care targeted therapy has high response rates in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma, therapy relapse occurs in most cases. Intrinsically resistant melanoma cells drive therapy resistance and display molecular and biologic properties akin to neural crest-like stem cells (NCLSC) including high invasiveness, plasticity, and self-renewal capacity. The shared transcriptional programs and vulnerabilities between NCLSCs and cancer cells remains poorly understood. Here, we identify a developmental LPAR1-axis critical for NCLSC viability and melanoma cell survival. LPAR1 activity increased during progression and following acquisition of therapeutic resistance. Notably, genetic inhibition of LPAR1 potentiated BRAFi ± MEKi efficacy and ablated melanoma migration and invasion. Our data define LPAR1 as a new therapeutic target in melanoma and highlights the promise of dissecting stem cell-like pathways hijacked by tumor cells. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies an LPAR1-axis critical for melanoma invasion and intrinsic/acquired therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianglan Liu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vito W Rebecca
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew V Kossenkov
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas Connelly
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qin Liu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alexis Gutierrez
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Min Xiao
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ling Li
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gao Zhang
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Anastasia Samarkina
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Delaine Zayasbazan
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Chaoran Cheng
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Zhi Wei
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mizuho Fukunaga-Kalabis
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Pedro Aza-Blanc
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Chih-Cheng Yang
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Bela Delvadia
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Cynthia Tong
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ye Huang
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maya Delvadia
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alice S Morias
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katrin Sproesser
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Patricia Brafford
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joshua X Wang
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Marilda Beqiri
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rajasekharan Somasundaram
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Denitsa M Hristova
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lawrence W Wu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yiling Lu
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Wei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Giorgos C Karakousis
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lynn M Schuchter
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tara C Mitchell
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ravi K Amaravadi
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lawrence N Kwong
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Dennie T Frederick
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Genevieve M Boland
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph M Salvino
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David W Speicher
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ze'ev A Ronai
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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6
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Valiente M, Van Swearingen AED, Anders CK, Bairoch A, Boire A, Bos PD, Cittelly DM, Erez N, Ferraro GB, Fukumura D, Gril B, Herlyn M, Holmen SL, Jain RK, Joyce JA, Lorger M, Massague J, Neman J, Sibson NR, Steeg PS, Thorsen F, Young LS, Varešlija D, Vultur A, Weis-Garcia F, Winkler F. Brain Metastasis Cell Lines Panel: A Public Resource of Organotropic Cell Lines. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4314-4323. [PMID: 32641416 PMCID: PMC7572582 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spread of cancer to the brain remains an unmet clinical need in spite of the increasing number of cases among patients with lung, breast cancer, and melanoma most notably. Although research on brain metastasis was considered a minor aspect in the past due to its untreatable nature and invariable lethality, nowadays, limited but encouraging examples have questioned this statement, making it more attractive for basic and clinical researchers. Evidences of its own biological identity (i.e., specific microenvironment) and particular therapeutic requirements (i.e., presence of blood-brain barrier, blood-tumor barrier, molecular differences with the primary tumor) are thought to be critical aspects that must be functionally exploited using preclinical models. We present the coordinated effort of 19 laboratories to compile comprehensive information related to brain metastasis experimental models. Each laboratory has provided details on the cancer cell lines they have generated or characterized as being capable of forming metastatic colonies in the brain, as well as principle methodologies of brain metastasis research. The Brain Metastasis Cell Lines Panel (BrMPanel) represents the first of its class and includes information about the cell line, how tropism to the brain was established, and the behavior of each model in vivo. These and other aspects described are intended to assist investigators in choosing the most suitable cell line for research on brain metastasis. The main goal of this effort is to facilitate research on this unmet clinical need, to improve models through a collaborative environment, and to promote the exchange of information on these valuable resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Valiente
- Brain Metastasis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Carey K Anders
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Amos Bairoch
- CALIPHO group, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adrienne Boire
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Paula D Bos
- Department of Pathology, and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Diana M Cittelly
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Neta Erez
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gino B Ferraro
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dai Fukumura
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sheri L Holmen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute and Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Johanna A Joyce
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Lorger
- Brain Metastasis Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Joan Massague
- Cancer Cell Biology Program, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Josh Neman
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, Physiology & Neuroscience, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nicola R Sibson
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Frits Thorsen
- The Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Remodeling, Shandong, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Leonie S Young
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Damir Varešlija
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frances Weis-Garcia
- Antibody & Bioresource Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Frank Winkler
- Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, and Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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7
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Valiente M, Van Swearingen A, Anders C, Bairoch A, Boire A, Bos P, Cittelly D, Erez N, Ferrarro G, Fukumura D, Gril B, Herlyn M, Holmen S, Jain R, Joyce J, Lorger M, Massague J, Neman J, Sibson N, Steeg P, Thorsen F, Young L, Vareslija D, Vultur A, Weis-Garcia F, Winkler F. 52. BrMPANEL: A PUBLIC RESOURCE OF ORGANOTROPIC CELL LINES. Neurooncol Adv 2020. [PMCID: PMC7401335 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa073.040] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS), notably brain, metastases are most prevalent in lung cancer (20–56% of patients), breast cancer (5–20%) and melanoma (7–16%). Lesions occur in both the brain parenchyma and the meninges. To mechanistically understand CNS metastasis formation and develop preventive and therapeutic strategies, it is essential to use model systems that, as much as possible, faithfully recapitulate the clinical disease process. Furthermore, the complexities of brain metastases dictate that studies should utilize multiple model systems in various stages of brain metastases progression. To facilitate brain metastasis research, 19 laboratories around the world have compiled comprehensive information on their brain metastasis mouse models. Each lab has provided details on the cell lines that they have generated or characterized as being capable of forming metastatic colonies in the brain, as well as principle methodologies of brain metastasis research. This Brain Metastasis Cell Lines Panel (BrMPanel, https://apps.cnio.es/app/BrainMetastasis/CellLines) represents the first of its class and includes information about each cell line, how tropism to the brain was established, and the behavior of each model in vivo. The BrMPanel is composed of 60 cell lines, derived from patients (32 cell lines, 53%), mouse (27, 45%) or rat (1, 2%), and represent the three main cancer types that result in brain metastasis: breast cancer (38 cell lines, 63%), lung cancer (8, 13%) and melanoma (14, 23%). This resource is intended to assist investigators in choosing the most suitable model for research on brain metastasis, and is available to the entire scientific community. The ultimate goal of this effort is to facilitate research on this unmet clinical need, to improve models through a collaborative environment, and to promote the exchange of information on these valuable resources. We invite other collaborators to contribute their models to the BrMPanel to grow this resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Valiente
- Brain Metastasis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carey Anders
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amos Bairoch
- CALIPHO group, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adrienne Boire
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Department of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paula Bos
- Department of Pathology, and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Diana Cittelly
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Neta Erez
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gino Ferrarro
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dai Fukumura
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sheri Holmen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute and Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rakesh Jain
- E.L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Johanna Joyce
- University of Lausanne, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Lorger
- Brain Metastasis Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Joan Massague
- Cancer Cell Biology Program, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, Physiology & Neuroscience, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicola Sibson
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Frits Thorsen
- The Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Remodeling, Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Leonie Young
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Damir Vareslija
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frances Weis-Garcia
- Antibody & Bioresource Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frank Winkler
- Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, and Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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8
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Zhang X, Gibhardt CS, Will T, Stanisz H, Körbel C, Mitkovski M, Stejerean I, Cappello S, Pacheu‐Grau D, Dudek J, Tahbaz N, Mina L, Simmen T, Laschke MW, Menger MD, Schön MP, Helms V, Niemeyer BA, Rehling P, Vultur A, Bogeski I. Redox signals at the ER-mitochondria interface control melanoma progression. EMBO J 2019; 38:e100871. [PMID: 31304984 PMCID: PMC6669928 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [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: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are emerging as important regulators of cancer growth and metastatic spread. However, how cells integrate redox signals to affect cancer progression is not fully understood. Mitochondria are cellular redox hubs, which are highly regulated by interactions with neighboring organelles. Here, we investigated how ROS at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria interface are generated and translated to affect melanoma outcome. We show that TMX1 and TMX3 oxidoreductases, which promote ER-mitochondria communication, are upregulated in melanoma cells and patient samples. TMX knockdown altered mitochondrial organization, enhanced bioenergetics, and elevated mitochondrial- and NOX4-derived ROS. The TMX-knockdown-induced oxidative stress suppressed melanoma proliferation, migration, and xenograft tumor growth by inhibiting NFAT1. Furthermore, we identified NFAT1-positive and NFAT1-negative melanoma subgroups, wherein NFAT1 expression correlates with melanoma stage and metastatic potential. Integrative bioinformatics revealed that genes coding for mitochondrial- and redox-related proteins are under NFAT1 control and indicated that TMX1, TMX3, and NFAT1 are associated with poor disease outcome. Our study unravels a novel redox-controlled ER-mitochondria-NFAT1 signaling loop that regulates melanoma pathobiology and provides biomarkers indicative of aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Molecular PhysiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular PhysiologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
- BiophysicsCIPMMSaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Christine S Gibhardt
- Molecular PhysiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular PhysiologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Thorsten Will
- Center for BioinformaticsSaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany
| | - Hedwig Stanisz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and AllergologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Christina Körbel
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental SurgerySaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Miso Mitkovski
- Light Microscopy FacilityMax Planck Institute for Experimental MedicineGöttingenGermany
| | - Ioana Stejerean
- Molecular PhysiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular PhysiologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Sabrina Cappello
- Molecular PhysiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular PhysiologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - David Pacheu‐Grau
- Department of Cellular BiochemistryUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Jan Dudek
- Department of Cellular BiochemistryUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Nasser Tahbaz
- Department of Cell BiologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Lucas Mina
- Department of Cell BiologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Thomas Simmen
- Department of Cell BiologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Matthias W Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental SurgerySaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Michael D Menger
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental SurgerySaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | - Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and AllergologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Volkhard Helms
- Center for BioinformaticsSaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany
| | | | - Peter Rehling
- Department of Cellular BiochemistryUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical ChemistryGöttingenGermany
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular PhysiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular PhysiologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular PhysiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular PhysiologyUniversity Medical CenterGeorg‐August‐UniversityGöttingenGermany
- BiophysicsCIPMMSaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
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9
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Abstract
Oxidative modifications of cellular building blocks such as proteins, lipids, and DNA have a major impact on cell behavior, fate, and clinical outcome. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important factors that influence these redox processes. Calcium ion (Ca2+) dynamics and signals are also essential regulators of key cellular processes. Therefore, the combined and precise monitoring of ROS and Ca2+ in single cells, with a high spatial and temporal resolution and in physiological environments, is essential to better understand their functional impact. Here, we describe protocols to detect one of the most prominent ROS (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) using genetically encoded protein sensors and fluorescent dyes. We also provide guidelines on how to simultaneously detect Ca2+ and H2O2 and how to examine the influence of Ca2+ signals on cellular ROS production and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine S Gibhardt
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany.
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10
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Vultur A, Gibhardt CS, Stanisz H, Bogeski I. The role of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex in cancer. Pflugers Arch 2018; 470:1149-1163. [PMID: 29926229 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-018-2162-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The important role of mitochondria in cancer biology is gaining momentum. With their regulation of cell survival, metabolism, basic cell building blocks, and immunity, among other functions, mitochondria affect not only cancer progression but also the response and resistance to current treatments. Calcium ions are constantly shuttled in and out of mitochondria; thus, playing an important role in the regulation of various cellular processes. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) channel and its associated regulators transport calcium across the inner mitochondrial membrane to the mitochondrial matrix. Due to this central role and the capacity to affect cell behavior and fate, the MCU complex is being investigated in different cancers and cancer-related conditions. Here, we review current knowledge on the role of the MCU complex in multiple cancer types and models; we also provide a perspective for future research and clinical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christine S Gibhardt
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hedwig Stanisz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
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11
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Krepler C, Xiao M, Samanta M, Vultur A, Chen HY, Brafford P, Reyes-Uribe PI, Halloran M, Chen T, He X, Hristova D, Liu Q, Samatar AA, Davies MA, Nathanson KL, Fukunaga-Kalabis M, Herlyn M, Villanueva J. Targeting Notch enhances the efficacy of ERK inhibitors in BRAF-V600E melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:71211-71222. [PMID: 27655717 PMCID: PMC5342073 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of activating BRAF mutations in approximately 50% of melanomas has led to the development of MAPK pathway inhibitors, which have transformed melanoma therapy. However, not all BRAF-V600E melanomas respond to MAPK inhibition. Therefore, it is important to understand why tumors with the same oncogenic driver have variable responses to MAPK inhibitors. Here, we show that concurrent loss of PTEN and activation of the Notch pathway is associated with poor response to the ERK inhibitor SCH772984, and that co-inhibition of Notch and ERK decreased viability in BRAF-V600E melanomas. Additionally, patients with low PTEN and Notch activation had significantly shorter progression free survival when treated with BRAF inhibitors. Our studies provide a rationale to further develop combination strategies with Notch antagonists to maximize the efficacy of MAPK inhibition in melanoma. Our findings should prompt the evaluation of combinations co-targeting MAPK/ERK and Notch as a strategy to improve current therapies and warrant further evaluation of co-occurrence of aberrant PTEN and Notch activation as predictive markers of response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Krepler
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Min Xiao
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Minu Samanta
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adina Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hsin-Yi Chen
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia Brafford
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Molly Halloran
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas Chen
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xu He
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Denitsa Hristova
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ahmed A Samatar
- Discovery Oncology Merck Research Laboratories, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Melanoma Medical Oncology and Systems Biology University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Division of Medical Genetics and The Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA, USA
| | | | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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Zhang X, Gibhardt CS, Cappello S, Zimmermann KM, Vultur A, Bogeski I. Measuring Mitochondrial ROS in Mammalian Cells with a Genetically Encoded Protein Sensor. Bio Protoc 2018; 8:e2705. [PMID: 34179249 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are not only known for their toxic effects on cells, but they also play an important role as second messengers. As such, they control a variety of cellular functions such as proliferation, metabolism, differentiation and apoptosis. Thus, ROS are involved in the regulation of multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes. It is now apparent that there are transient and local changes in ROS in the cell; in so-called 'microdomains' or in specific cellular compartments, which affect signaling events. These ROS hotspots need to be studied in more depth to understand their function and regulation. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and quantify redox signals in single cells with high spatial and temporal resolution. Genetically encoded fluorescence-based protein sensors provide such necessary tools to examine redox-signaling processes. A big advantage of these sensors is the possibility to target them specifically. Mitochondria are essential for energy metabolism and are one of the major sources of ROS in mammalian cells. Therefore, the evaluation of redox potential and ROS production in these organelles is of great interest. Herein, we provide a protocol for the real-time visualization of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using the H2O2-specific ratiometric sensor mitoHyPer in adherent mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christine Silvia Gibhardt
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Cappello
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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13
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Shannan B, Watters A, Chen Q, Mollin S, Dörr M, Meggers E, Xu X, Gimotty PA, Perego M, Li L, Benci J, Krepler C, Brafford P, Zhang J, Wei Z, Zhang G, Liu Q, Yin X, Nathanson KL, Herlyn M, Vultur A. PIM kinases as therapeutic targets against advanced melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:54897-54912. [PMID: 27448973 PMCID: PMC5342389 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma show encouraging results in the clinic; however, not all patients respond equally and tumor resistance still poses a challenge. To identify novel therapeutic targets for melanoma, we screened a panel of structurally diverse organometallic inhibitors against human-derived normal and melanoma cells. We observed that a compound that targets PIM kinases (a family of Ser/Thr kinases) preferentially inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, and viability in adherent and three-dimensional (3D) melanoma models. Assessment of tumor tissue from melanoma patients showed that PIM kinases are expressed in pre- and post-treatment tumors, suggesting PIM kinases as promising targets in the clinic. Using knockdown studies, we showed that PIM1 contributes to melanoma cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo; however, the presence of PIM2 and PIM3 could also influence the outcome. The inhibition of all PIM isoforms using SGI-1776 (a clinically-available PIM inhibitor) reduced melanoma proliferation and survival in preclinical models of melanoma. This was potentiated in the presence of the BRAF inhibitor PLX4720 and in the presence of PI3K inhibitors. Our findings suggest that PIM inhibitors provide promising additions to the targeted therapies available to melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batool Shannan
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Watters
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Quan Chen
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stefan Mollin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Dörr
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Eric Meggers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Phyllis A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michela Perego
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph Benci
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia Brafford
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Zhi Wei
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Gao Zhang
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiangfan Yin
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adina Vultur
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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George E, Kim H, Tanyi J, Ragland R, Brown E, Zhang R, Brafford P, Sproesser K, Beqiri M, Vultur A, Krepler C, Weis B, Nathanson K, Lu Y, Mills G, Makvandi M, Mach R, Morgan M, Simpkins F. Abstract A02: A novel orthotopic ovarian patient derived xenograft model platform to investigate novel therapies for BRCA deficient ovarian cancers. Clin Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1557-3265.pdx16-a02] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: To create a personalized, targeted approach to high grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC), reliable preclinical models are essential. About ~50% of HGSOC have defects in genes involved in homologous recombination (HR) such as BRCA. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) capitalize on synthetic lethality in HR-deficient tumors, however, clinical efficacy is limited (response rate only ~40%). Patient derived xenografts (PDXs) are emerging as a reliable preclinical model that recapitulates principal characteristics of the patients' tumor while remaining biologically stable while passaged in mice. We developed a BRCA1/2 orthotopic PDX experimental platform to study alternative strategies for synthetic lethality. We hypothesized that targeting the ATR/CHK1 axis is synthetically lethal in BRCA mutant HGSOC models.
Experimental Procedures: Fresh HGSOC tumor was transplanted orthotopically to the fallopian tube/ovary of NSG 5-8 wk mice. Tumor growth was followed. Tumors were evaluated by IHC, genomic and proteomic analysis. Alu II probe staining was used to evaluate human stroma content. DNA sequencing was performed using a 153 OVCA gene panel. Reverse Phase Protein Array Analysis (RPPA) was evaluated for signaling pathway activation. Primary ovarian tumor cultures were developed from patients' tumor for mechanistic studies. To study the ATR/CHK1 axis in HR-deficient HGSOC, PARPi (Olaparib), CHK1 inhibitor (CHK1i, MK8776), and ATR inhibitor (ATRi, AZD6738) were evaluated. PEO1 (BRCA2 mutant), PEO4 (BRCA wildtype) and JHOS4 (BRCA1 mutant) HGSOC cells were evaluated for cell proliferation, survival, and genome stability before and after treatment. BRCA2 mutant (8945delAA) PDX (WO-2-1) was expanded in 70 mice. Mice were randomized into 5 gps: untreated, carboplatin, PARPi, CHK1i, and ATRi. Treatment was initiated when tumors were 70-100mm3 and volume was assessed weekly with ultrasound. PARP tumor activity and response to PARPi was assessed with a PET PARP1 radiotracer [18F]FTT (fluorthanatrace).
Results: We developed a pipeline to study HR deficient HGSOC. We created an orthotopic PDX platform from 15 BRCA mutant patients in order to accurately study OVCA tumorigenicity and metastasis in the native environment with a 90% take rate in generating tumors in mouse passage 1 (MP1), and 100% take rate for MP2 and MP3. The PDX model (WO-2-1) was similarly platinum sensitive as the patient after platinum treatment. Tumors were evaluated by genomic and proteomic analysis to identify a target population and streamline therapeutic approaches. Pathogenic mutation profiles from the original patient tumor were preserved in PDXs serially passaged (MP1-3). High pCHK1 (s345) was used as a marker for investigation of ATR/CHK1 inhibition in BRCA mutant PDX models. We showed that ATRi and CHK1i are similarly effective to PARPi in a BRCA2 mutant PDX. A novel PET PARP1 radiotracer [18F]FTT was used and demonstrated co-localization of signal in a BRCA2 mutant PDX, which was diminished with olaparib treatment.
Conclusions: Although technically more challenging, the orthotopic transplantation technique is feasible in generating HGSOC PDX models with a high success rate that more closely resembles the natural environment for HGSOC progression. Evaluation of genomic and proteomic profiles of a tumor allows one to streamline targeted therapies for testing in PDX preclinical trials that may in the future be translated back to the patient.
Citation Format: Erin George, Hyoung Kim, Janos Tanyi, Ryan Ragland, Eric Brown, Rugang Zhang, Patricia Brafford, Katrin Sproesser, Marilda Beqiri, Adina Vultur, Clemens Krepler, Brandon Weis, Kate Nathanson, Yuling Lu, Gordon Mills, Mehran Makvandi, Robert Mach, Mark Morgan, Fiona Simpkins. A novel orthotopic ovarian patient derived xenograft model platform to investigate novel therapies for BRCA deficient ovarian cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Patient-Derived Cancer Models: Present and Future Applications from Basic Science to the Clinic; Feb 11-14, 2016; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(16_Suppl):Abstract nr A02.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin George
- 1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Hyoung Kim
- 1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Janos Tanyi
- 1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,
| | | | - Eric Brown
- 1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yuling Lu
- 3The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Gordon Mills
- 3The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Robert Mach
- 1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,
| | - Mark Morgan
- 1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,
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Taha Z, Guy S, Niit M, Raptis L, Vultur A, Arulanandam R. Abstract 4411: Cadherin engagement induces a dramatic increase in tyr-705 phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3α) but not the dominant-negative isoform Stat3β. Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2016-4411] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the role of Stat3α and Stat3β in survival and apoptosis of normal and tumor cells.
The Stat3 transcription factor is activated by cytokine receptors of the IL6 family, and receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, plays an etiological role in neoplasia. Stat3 activation entails phosphorylation at tyr-705, Stat3 dimerization through a reciprocal, SH2 domain-phosphotyrosine interaction, and nuclear translocation. This triggers transcription of genes involved primarily in cellular survival such as survivin, MCl1 and Bcl-xL, as well as cell division such as myc. We previously demonstrated that engagement of E- or N-cadherin or cadherin-11 induces a dramatic increase in total protein levels and activity of the small GTPases, Rac and Cdc42, through inhibition of proteasomal degradation. Activated Rac leads to a surge in secretion of cytokines of the IL6 family through the transcription factor NFκB and Jak kinases, and this in turn, activates Stat3 in an autocrine manner. Stat3 inhibition in confluent, non-transformed cells induces apoptosis, pointing to a key survival role for Stat3.
Full-length Stat3 (termed Stat3α) is composed of an SH2 domain, tyr-705 and a COOH terminus encoding the transcription activation domain (TAD). Stat3β is a naturally-occurring splice variant which is lacking TAD. Therefore, Stat3β dimerizes with Stat3α but is defective in transcriptional activation, resulting in inhibition of Stat3α function. Since tyr-705 is present in both isoforms, we examined the phosphorylation pattern of Stat3α vs Stat3β. Our results demonstrate that cadherin engagement brought about through confluence of non-transformed mouse fibroblasts results in phosphorylation of Stat3α-tyr705, despite the fact that the sequence around tyr-705 is the same in both isoforms.
The Large Tumor antigen of Simian virus 40 oncogene (TAg) interacts with the p53 and pRb tumor-suppressors, and this leads to activation of the E2F family of transcription factors, targeting cell division genes. At the same time E2F is a potent apoptosis inducer, hence the high demand of transformed cells for antiapoptotic signals, such as Stat3. Interestingly, our data demonstrated that SVLT expression results in phosphorylation of Stat3β. Therefore, this feedback loop that reduces the activity of Stat3α, triggers apoptosis of transformed cells selectively, because of their high E2F levels. As a result, certain tumor cells which may naturally express high Stat3β levels would be very sensitive to pharmacological Stat3 inhibition, a finding which could have significant therapeutic implications.
Citation Format: Zaid Taha, Stephanie Guy, Maximillian Niit, Leda Raptis, Adina Vultur, Rozanne Arulanandam. Cadherin engagement induces a dramatic increase in tyr-705 phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3α) but not the dominant-negative isoform Stat3β. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4411.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Taha
- 1Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Leda Raptis
- 1Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Hristova D, Hua X, Wang J, Li L, Beqiri M, Watters A, Vultur A, Wei Z, Herlyn M, Fukunaga-Kalabis M. 662 Numb is induced by GSK3 inhibition and inhibits melanoma migration, invasion and metastasis. J Invest Dermatol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.02.703] [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: 10/21/2022]
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Stanisz H, Vultur A, Herlyn M, Roesch A, Bogeski I. The role of Orai-STIM calcium channels in melanocytes and melanoma. J Physiol 2016; 594:2825-35. [PMID: 26864956 DOI: 10.1113/jp271141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium signalling within normal and cancer cells regulates many important cellular functions such as migration, proliferation, differentiation and cytokine secretion. Store operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) via the Ca(2+) release activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels, which are composed of the plasma membrane based Orai channels and the endoplasmic reticulum stromal interaction molecules (STIMs), is a major Ca(2+) entry route in many cell types. Orai and STIM have been implicated in the growth and metastasis of multiple cancers; however, while their involvement in cancer is presently indisputable, how Orai-STIM-controlled Ca(2+) signals affect malignant transformation, tumour growth and invasion is not fully understood. Here, we review recent studies linking Orai-STIM Ca(2+) channels with cancer, with a particular focus on melanoma. We highlight and examine key molecular players and the signalling pathways regulated by Orai and STIM in normal and malignant cells, we expose discrepancies, and we reflect on the potential of Orai-STIMs as anticancer drug targets. Finally, we discuss the functional implications of future discoveries in the field of Ca(2+) signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedwig Stanisz
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Adina Vultur
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexander Roesch
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, D-45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Department of Biophysics, CIPMM, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
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18
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Shannan B, Chen Q, Watters A, Perego M, Krepler C, Thombre R, Li L, Rajan G, Peterson S, Gimotty PA, Wilson M, Nathanson KL, Gangadhar TC, Schuchter LM, Weeraratna AT, Herlyn M, Vultur A. Enhancing the evaluation of PI3K inhibitors through 3D melanoma models. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2016; 29:317-28. [PMID: 26850518 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapies for mutant BRAF metastatic melanoma are effective but not curative due to acquisition of resistance. PI3K signaling is a common mediator of therapy resistance in melanoma; thus, the need for effective PI3K inhibitors is critical. However, testing PI3K inhibitors in adherent cultures is not always reflective of their potential in vivo. To emphasize this, we compared PI3K inhibitors of different specificity in two- and three-dimensional (2D, 3D) melanoma models and show that drug response predictions gain from evaluation using 3D models. Our results in 3D demonstrate the anti-invasive potential of PI3K inhibitors and that drugs such as PX-866 have beneficial activity in physiological models alone and when combined with BRAF inhibition. These assays finally help highlight pathway effectors that could be involved in drug response in different environments (e.g. p4E-BP1). Our findings show the advantages of 3D melanoma models to enhance our understanding of PI3K inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batool Shannan
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Quan Chen
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrea Watters
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michela Perego
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rakhee Thombre
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Geena Rajan
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Phyllis A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Melissa Wilson
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tara C Gangadhar
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lynn M Schuchter
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adina Vultur
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Ravindran Menon D, Das S, Krepler C, Vultur A, Zhang G, Haass N, Soyer PH, Gabrielli B, Somasundaram R, Hoefler G, Herlyn M, Schaider H. Abstract 2684: An early innate stress response precedes acquired drug resistance in melanoma. Cancer Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2015-2684] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance constitutes a major challenge for effective cancer therapies. The dynamics of early drug resistance leading to permanent resistance are poorly understood. Melanoma cell lines were exposed to molecular targeted inhibitors like BRAF or MEK inhibitors or chemotherapy at sublethal drug concentrations for over 90 days. Alternatively melanoma cells were exposed to hypoxic conditions or low glucose media. Cells surviving drug exposure, hypoxia or nutrient starvation were monitored for the expression of CD271, ALDH activity, differentiation markers, ABCB5, chromatin remodeling, histone demethylases and markers for angiogenesis to characterize cells exposed for a minimum of 12 days. Further gene expression analyses, RPPA analyses and in vivo tumorigenicity were performed in these cells. Drug exposure, hypoxia or nutrient starvation leads to an early innate cell response in melanoma cells resulting in multi-drug resistance, termed induced drug tolerant cells (IDTC). Transition into the IDTC state seems to be an inherent stress reaction for survival towards unfavorable environmental conditions or drug exposure independent of any subpopulation or cancer stem cell. The response comprises chromatin remodeling, activation of signaling cascades, and markers proposed to be stem cell markers with higher angiogenic potential and tumorigenicity. These changes are characterized by a common increase in CD271 expression concomitantly with loss of differentiation markers such as melan-A and tyrosinase, enhanced ALDH activity and upregulation of histone demethylases. Accordingly, IDTCs show a loss of H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and gain of H3K9me3 suggesting activation and repression of differential genes. Drug holidays at the IDTC state allow for reversion into parental cells re-sensitizing them to the drug they were primarily exposed to. However, upon continuous drug exposure IDTCs eventually transform into permanent and irreversible drug resistant cells. Knockdown of CD271 or KDM5B decreases transition into the IDTC state substantially but does not prevent it. Our results suggest a phenotypic shift of parental cells to the induced drug tolerant cell (IDTC) state irrespective of a given subpopulation thus not representing cancer stem cells. Targeting IDTCs would be crucial for sustainable disease management and prevention of acquired drug resistance.
Citation Format: Dinoop Ravindran Menon, Suman Das, Clemens Krepler, Adina Vultur, Gao Zhang, Nikolas Haass, Peter H. Soyer, Brian Gabrielli, Rajasekharan Somasundaram, Gerald Hoefler, Meenhard Herlyn, Helmut Schaider. An early innate stress response precedes acquired drug resistance in melanoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2684. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2684
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suman Das
- 2Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Gao Zhang
- 3The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
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Ravindran Menon D, Das S, Krepler C, Vultur A, Rinner B, Schauer S, Kashofer K, Wagner K, Zhang G, Bonyadi Rad E, Haass NK, Soyer HP, Gabrielli B, Somasundaram R, Hoefler G, Herlyn M, Schaider H. A stress-induced early innate response causes multidrug tolerance in melanoma. Oncogene 2014; 34:4448-59. [PMID: 25417704 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance constitutes a major challenge for effective cancer therapies with melanoma being no exception. The dynamics leading to permanent resistance are poorly understood but are important to design better treatments. Here we show that drug exposure, hypoxia or nutrient starvation leads to an early innate cell response in melanoma cells resulting in multidrug resistance, termed induced drug-tolerant cells (IDTCs). Transition into the IDTC state seems to be an inherent stress reaction for survival toward unfavorable environmental conditions or drug exposure. The response comprises chromatin remodeling, activation of signaling cascades and markers implicated in cancer stemness with higher angiogenic potential and tumorigenicity. These changes are characterized by a common increase in CD271 expression concomitantly with loss of differentiation markers such as melan-A and tyrosinase, enhanced aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and upregulation of histone demethylases. Accordingly, IDTCs show a loss of H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and gain of H3K9me3 suggesting activation and repression of differential genes. Drug holidays at the IDTC state allow for reversion into parental cells re-sensitizing them to the drug they were primarily exposed to. However, upon continuous drug exposure IDTCs eventually transform into permanent and irreversible drug-resistant cells. Knockdown of CD271 or KDM5B decreases transition into the IDTC state substantially but does not prevent it. Targeting IDTCs would be crucial for sustainable disease management and prevention of acquired drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ravindran Menon
- Cancer Biology Unit, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Dermatology Research Centre, Translational Research Institute, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - S Das
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - C Krepler
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - B Rinner
- Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - S Schauer
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - K Kashofer
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - K Wagner
- Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - G Zhang
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - E Bonyadi Rad
- Cancer Biology Unit, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - N K Haass
- The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - H P Soyer
- Dermatology Research Centre, Translational Research Institute, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - B Gabrielli
- The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - G Hoefler
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - M Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - H Schaider
- Cancer Biology Unit, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Dermatology Research Centre, Translational Research Institute, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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Menon D, Das S, Krepler C, Vultur A, Rinner B, Schauer S, Kashofer K, Wagner K, Zhang G, Rad EB, Soyer H, Gabrielli B, Somasundaram R, Hoefler G, Herlyn M, Schaider H. 93 A stress induced early innate response causes multi-drug tolerance in melanoma. Eur J Cancer 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(14)70219-9] [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]
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22
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Vultur A, O'Connell M, Webster M, Villanueva J, Herlyn D, Somasundaram R, Krepler C, Zaidi R, Patton E, Sekulic A, Jonsson G, Weeraratna AT. Meeting report from the 10th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research, Philadelphia, PA, November 2013. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 27:E1-E12. [PMID: 24650043 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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]
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23
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O’Connell MP, Marchbank K, Webster MR, Valiga AA, Kaur A, Vultur A, Li L, Herlyn M, Villanueva J, Liu Q, Yin X, Widura S, Nelson J, Ruiz N, Camilli TC, Indig FE, Flaherty KT, Wargo JA, Frederick DT, Cooper ZA, Nair S, Amaravadi RK, Schuchter LM, Karakousis GC, Xu W, Xu X, Weeraratna AT. Hypoxia induces phenotypic plasticity and therapy resistance in melanoma via the tyrosine kinase receptors ROR1 and ROR2. Cancer Discov 2013; 3:1378-93. [PMID: 24104062 PMCID: PMC3918498 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-13-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED An emerging concept in melanoma biology is that of dynamic, adaptive phenotype switching, where cells switch from a highly proliferative, poorly invasive phenotype to a highly invasive, less proliferative one. This switch may hold significant implications not just for metastasis, but also for therapy resistance. We demonstrate that phenotype switching and subsequent resistance can be guided by changes in expression of receptors involved in the noncanonical Wnt5A signaling pathway, ROR1 and ROR2. ROR1 and ROR2 are inversely expressed in melanomas and negatively regulate each other. Furthermore, hypoxia initiates a shift of ROR1-positive melanomas to a more invasive, ROR2-positive phenotype. Notably, this receptor switch induces a 10-fold decrease in sensitivity to BRAF inhibitors. In patients with melanoma treated with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib, Wnt5A expression correlates with clinical response and therapy resistance. These data highlight the fact that mechanisms that guide metastatic progression may be linked to those that mediate therapy resistance. SIGNIFICANCE These data show for the fi rst time that a single signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, can effectively guide the phenotypic plasticity of tumor cells, when primed to do so by a hypoxic microenvironment. Importantly, this increased Wnt5A signaling can give rise to a subpopulation of highly invasive cells that are intrinsically less sensitive to novel therapies for melanoma, and targeting the Wnt5A/ROR2 axis could improve the efficacy and duration of response for patients with melanoma on vemurafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. O’Connell
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Katie Marchbank
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Marie R. Webster
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Alexander A. Valiga
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Amanpreet Kaur
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Adina Vultur
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ling Li
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Qin Liu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Xiangfan Yin
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sandy Widura
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Janelle Nelson
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Nivia Ruiz
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tura C. Camilli
- The National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Fred E. Indig
- The National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ravi K. Amaravadi
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lynn M. Schuchter
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Wei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ashani T. Weeraratna
- Tumor Metastasis and Microenvironment Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
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Villanueva J, Infante JR, Krepler C, Reyes-Uribe P, Samanta M, Chen HY, Li B, Swoboda RK, Wilson M, Vultur A, Fukunaba-Kalabis M, Wubbenhorst B, Chen TY, Liu Q, Sproesser K, DeMarini DJ, Gilmer TM, Martin AM, Marmorstein R, Schultz DC, Speicher DW, Karakousis GC, Xu W, Amaravadi RK, Xu X, Schuchter LM, Herlyn M, Nathanson KL. Concurrent MEK2 mutation and BRAF amplification confer resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors in melanoma. Cell Rep 2013; 4:1090-9. [PMID: 24055054 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although BRAF and MEK inhibitors have proven clinical benefits in melanoma, most patients develop resistance. We report a de novo MEK2-Q60P mutation and BRAF gain in a melanoma from a patient who progressed on the MEK inhibitor trametinib and did not respond to the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib. We also identified the same MEK2-Q60P mutation along with BRAF amplification in a xenograft tumor derived from a second melanoma patient resistant to the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib. Melanoma cells chronically exposed to trametinib acquired concurrent MEK2-Q60P mutation and BRAF-V600E amplification, which conferred resistance to MEK and BRAF inhibitors. The resistant cells had sustained MAPK activation and persistent phosphorylation of S6K. A triple combination of dabrafenib, trametinib, and the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor GSK2126458 led to sustained tumor growth inhibition. Hence, concurrent genetic events that sustain MAPK signaling can underlie resistance to both BRAF and MEK inhibitors, requiring novel therapeutic strategies to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Villanueva
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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25
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Roesch A, Vultur A, Bogeski I, Wang H, Zimmermann KM, Speicher D, Körbel C, Laschke MW, Gimotty PA, Philipp SE, Krause E, Pätzold S, Villanueva J, Krepler C, Fukunaga-Kalabis M, Hoth M, Bastian B, Vogt T, Herlyn M. Overcoming intrinsic multidrug resistance in melanoma by blocking the mitochondrial respiratory chain of slow-cycling JARID1B(high) cells. Cancer Cell 2013; 23:811-25. [PMID: 23764003 PMCID: PMC3810180 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 504] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite success with BRAFV600E inhibitors, therapeutic responses in patients with metastatic melanoma are short-lived because of the acquisition of drug resistance. We identified a mechanism of intrinsic multidrug resistance based on the survival of a tumor cell subpopulation. Treatment with various drugs, including cisplatin and vemurafenib, uniformly leads to enrichment of slow-cycling, long-term tumor-maintaining melanoma cells expressing the H3K4-demethylase JARID1B/KDM5B/PLU-1. Proteome-profiling revealed an upregulation in enzymes of mitochondrial oxidative-ATP-synthesis (oxidative phosphorylation) in this subpopulation. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration blocked the emergence of the JARID1B(high) subpopulation and sensitized melanoma cells to therapy, independent of their genotype. Our findings support a two-tiered approach combining anticancer agents that eliminate rapidly proliferating melanoma cells with inhibitors of the drug-resistant slow-cycling subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Roesch
- The Saarland University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
- Corresponding author: Meenhard Herlyn, D.V.M., D.Sc., Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Room 489, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Phone: 001-215-898-3950; Fax: 215-898-0980; , Alexander Roesch, M.D., The Saarland University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Phone: 0049-6841-16-23788, Fax: 0049-6841-16-23845;
| | - Adina Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- The Saarland University, Department of Biophysics, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Huan Wang
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
| | - Katharina M. Zimmermann
- The Saarland University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
- The Saarland University, Department of Biophysics, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - David Speicher
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
| | - Christina Körbel
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, D-66421 Homburg/Saar
| | - Matthias W. Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, D-66421 Homburg/Saar
| | - Phyllis A. Gimotty
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, 631 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
| | - Stephan E. Philipp
- The Saarland University, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Elmar Krause
- The Saarland University, Department of Physiology, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Sylvie Pätzold
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University of Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
| | - Clemens Krepler
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
| | | | - Markus Hoth
- The Saarland University, Department of Biophysics, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Boris Bastian
- The University of California, San Francisco, Cardiovascular Research Institute, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, San Francisco, CA 94159, U.S.A
| | - Thomas Vogt
- The Saarland University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A
- Corresponding author: Meenhard Herlyn, D.V.M., D.Sc., Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Room 489, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Phone: 001-215-898-3950; Fax: 215-898-0980; , Alexander Roesch, M.D., The Saarland University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Phone: 0049-6841-16-23788, Fax: 0049-6841-16-23845;
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26
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Vultur
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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27
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Vultur A, Villanueva J, Krepler C, Rajan G, Chen Q, Xiao M, Li L, Gimotty PA, Wilson M, Hayden J, Keeney F, Nathanson KL, Herlyn M. MEK inhibition affects STAT3 signaling and invasion in human melanoma cell lines. Oncogene 2013; 33:1850-61. [PMID: 23624919 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Elevated activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is found in the majority of human melanomas and is known to regulate proliferation, survival and invasion. Current targeted therapies focus on decreasing the activity of this pathway; however, we do not fully understand how these therapies impact tumor biology, especially given that melanoma is a heterogeneous disease. Using a three-dimensional (3D), collagen-embedded spheroid melanoma model, we observed that MEK and BRAF inhibitors can increase the invasive potential of ∼20% of human melanoma cell lines. The invasive cell lines displayed increased receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity and activation of the Src/FAK/signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling axis, also associated with increased cell-to-cell adhesion and cadherin engagement following MEK inhibition. Targeting various RTKs, Src, FAK and STAT3 with small molecule inhibitors in combination with a MEK inhibitor prevented the invasive phenotype, but only STAT3 inhibition caused cell death in the 3D context. We further show that STAT3 signaling is induced in BRAF-inhibitor-resistant cells. Our findings suggest that MEK and BRAF inhibitors can induce STAT3 signaling, causing potential adverse effects such as increased invasion. We also provide the rationale for the combined targeting of the MAPK pathway along with inhibitors of RTKs, SRC or STAT3 to counteract STAT3-mediated resistance phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vultur
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Villanueva
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C Krepler
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - G Rajan
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Q Chen
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Xiao
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - L Li
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - P A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Wilson
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Hayden
- Imaging Facility, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - F Keeney
- Imaging Facility, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - K L Nathanson
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Herlyn
- 1] Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA [2] Imaging Facility, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Kastl A, Dieckmann S, Wähler K, Völker T, Kastl L, Merkel AL, Vultur A, Shannan B, Harms K, Ocker M, Parak WJ, Herlyn M, Meggers E. Rhenium complexes with visible-light-induced anticancer activity. ChemMedChem 2013; 8:924-7. [PMID: 23568508 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201300060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Shedding light on the matter: Rhenium(I) indolato complexes with highly potent visible-light-triggered antiproliferative activity (complex 1: EC50 light=0.1 μM vs EC50 dark=100 μM) in 2D- and 3D-organized cancer cells are reported and can be traced back to an efficient generation of singlet oxygen, causing rapid morphological changes and an induction of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Kastl
- Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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29
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Desai BM, Villanueva J, Nguyen TTK, Lioni M, Xiao M, Kong J, Krepler C, Vultur A, Flaherty KT, Nathanson KL, Smalley KSM, Herlyn M. The anti-melanoma activity of dinaciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is dependent on p53 signaling. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59588. [PMID: 23527225 PMCID: PMC3601112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)-2 is known to be dispensable for the growth of most tumors, it is thought to be important for the proliferation of melanoma cells, where its expression is controlled by the melanocyte-lineage specific transcription factor MITF. Treatment of a panel of melanoma cells with the CDK inhibitor dinaciclib led to a concentration-dependent inhibition of growth under both 2D adherent and 3D organotypic cell culture conditions. Dinaciclib targeted melanoma cell lines regardless of cdk2 or MITF levels. Inhibition of growth was associated with a rapid induction of G2/M cell arrest and apoptosis. Treatment of human melanoma mouse xenografts with dinaciclib led to tumor regression associated with reduced retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and Bcl-2 expression. Further mechanistic studies revealed that dinaciclib induces p53 expression whilst simultaneously downregulating the expression of the anti-apoptotic factors Mcl-1 and XIAP. To clarify the role of p53 activation in the dinaciclib-induced cell death, we generated melanoma cell lines in which p53 expression was knocked down using a shRNA lentiviral vector. Knockdown of p53 completely abolished the induction of apoptosis seen following dinaciclib treatment as shown by a lack of annexin-V staining and caspase-3 cleavage. Altogether, these data show that dinaciclib induces apoptosis in a large panel of melanoma cell lines through a mechanism requiring p53 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brijal M. Desai
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Mercedes Lioni
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Min Xiao
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jun Kong
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Clemens Krepler
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Adina Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Keith T. Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katherine L. Nathanson
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Keiran S. M. Smalley
- Department of Molecular Oncology, The Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Krepler C, Chunduru SK, Halloran MB, He X, Xiao M, Vultur A, Villanueva J, Mitsuuchi Y, Neiman EM, Benetatos C, Nathanson KL, Amaravadi RK, Pehamberger H, McKinlay M, Herlyn M. The novel SMAC mimetic birinapant exhibits potent activity against human melanoma cells. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:1784-94. [PMID: 23403634 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-2518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) promote cancer cell survival and confer resistance to therapy. We report on the ability of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases mimetic, birinapant, which acts as antagonist to cIAP1 and cIAP2, to restore the sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli such as TNF-α in melanomas. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Seventeen melanoma cell lines, representing five major genetic subgroups of cutaneous melanoma, were treated with birinapant as a single agent or in combination with TNF-α. Effects on cell viability, target inhibition, and initiation of apoptosis were assessed and findings were validated in 2-dimensional (2D), 3D spheroid, and in vivo xenograft models. RESULTS When birinapant was combined with TNF-α, strong combination activity, that is, neither compound was effective individually but the combination was highly effective, was observed in 12 of 18 cell lines. This response was conserved in spheroid models, whereas in vivo birinapant inhibited tumor growth without adding TNF-α in in vitro resistant cell lines. Birinapant combined with TNF-α inhibited the growth of a melanoma cell line with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibition to the same extent as in the parental cell line. CONCLUSIONS Birinapant in combination with TNF-α exhibits a strong antimelanoma effect in vitro. Birinapant as a single agent shows in vivo antitumor activity, even if cells are resistant to single agent therapy in vitro. Birinapant in combination with TNF-α is effective in a melanoma cell line with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Krepler
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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31
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Kong X, Qin J, Li Z, Vultur A, Tong L, Feng E, Rajan G, Liu S, Lu J, Liang Z, Zheng M, Zhu W, Jiang H, Herlyn M, Liu H, Marmorstein R, Luo C. Development of a novel class of B-Raf(V600E)-selective inhibitors through virtual screening and hierarchical hit optimization. Org Biomol Chem 2013; 10:7402-17. [PMID: 22875039 DOI: 10.1039/c2ob26081f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in critical nodes of cellular signaling pathways have been associated with tumorigenesis and progression. The B-Raf protein kinase, a key hub in the canonical MAPK signaling cascade, is mutated in a broad range of human cancers and especially in malignant melanoma. The most prevalent B-Raf(V600E) mutant exhibits elevated kinase activity and results in constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway, thus making it a promising drug target for cancer therapy. Herein, we describe the development of novel B-Raf(V600E) selective inhibitors via multi-step virtual screening and hierarchical hit optimization. Nine hit compounds with low micromolar IC(50) values were identified as B-Raf(V600E) inhibitors through virtual screening. Subsequent scaffold-based analogue searching and medicinal chemistry efforts significantly improved both the inhibitor potency and oncogene selectivity. In particular, compounds 22f and 22q possess nanomolar IC(50) values with selectivity for B-Raf(V600E)in vitro and exclusive cytotoxicity against B-Raf(V600E) harboring cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqian Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
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32
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Schayowitz A, Bertenshaw G, Jeffries E, Schatz T, Cotton J, Villanueva J, Herlyn M, Krepler C, Vultur A, Xu W, Yu GH, Schuchter L, Clark DP. Functional profiling of live melanoma samples using a novel automated platform. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52760. [PMID: 23285177 PMCID: PMC3532357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims This proof-of-concept study was designed to determine if functional, pharmacodynamic profiles relevant to targeted therapy could be derived from live human melanoma samples using a novel automated platform. Methods A series of 13 melanoma cell lines was briefly exposed to a BRAF inhibitor (PLX-4720) on a platform employing automated fluidics for sample processing. Levels of the phosphoprotein p-ERK in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway from treated and untreated sample aliquots were determined using a bead-based immunoassay. Comparison of these levels provided a determination of the pharmacodynamic effect of the drug on the MAPK pathway. A similar ex vivo analysis was performed on fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy samples from four murine xenograft models of metastatic melanoma, as well as 12 FNA samples from patients with metastatic melanoma. Results Melanoma cell lines with known sensitivity to BRAF inhibitors displayed marked suppression of the MAPK pathway in this system, while most BRAF inhibitor-resistant cell lines showed intact MAPK pathway activity despite exposure to a BRAF inhibitor (PLX-4720). FNA samples from melanoma xenografts showed comparable ex vivo MAPK activity as their respective cell lines in this system. FNA samples from patients with metastatic melanoma successfully yielded three categories of functional profiles including: MAPK pathway suppression; MAPK pathway reactivation; MAPK pathway stimulation. These profiles correlated with the anticipated MAPK activity, based on the known BRAF mutation status, as well as observed clinical responses to BRAF inhibitor therapy. Conclusion Pharmacodynamic information regarding the ex vivo effect of BRAF inhibitors on the MAPK pathway in live human melanoma samples can be reproducibly determined using a novel automated platform. Such information may be useful in preclinical and clinical drug development, as well as predicting response to targeted therapy in individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Schayowitz
- BioMarker Strategies, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Greg Bertenshaw
- BioMarker Strategies, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Emiko Jeffries
- BioMarker Strategies, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Timothy Schatz
- BioMarker Strategies, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - James Cotton
- BioMarker Strategies, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Adina Vultur
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Wei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gordon H. Yu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lynn Schuchter
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Douglas P. Clark
- BioMarker Strategies, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Qin J, Xie P, Ventocilla C, Zhou G, Vultur A, Chen Q, Liu Q, Herlyn M, Winkler J, Marmorstein R. Identification of a novel family of BRAF(V600E) inhibitors. J Med Chem 2012; 55:5220-30. [PMID: 22537109 DOI: 10.1021/jm3004416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The BRAF oncoprotein is mutated in about half of malignant melanomas and other cancers, and a kinase activating single valine to glutamate substitution at residue 600 (BRAF(V600E)) accounts for over 90% of BRAF-mediated cancers. Several BRAF(V600E) inhibitors have been developed, although they harbor some liabilities, thus motivating the development of other BRAF(V600E) inhibitor options. We report here the use of an ELISA based high-throughput screen to identify a family of related quinolol/naphthol compounds that preferentially inhibit BRAF(V600E) over BRAF(WT) and other kinases. We also report the X-ray crystal structure of a BRAF/quinolol complex revealing the mode of inhibition, employ structure-based medicinal chemistry efforts to prepare naphthol analogues that inhibit BRAF(V600E) in vitro with IC(50) values in the 80-200 nM range under saturating ATP concentrations, and demonstrate that these compounds inhibit MAPK signaling in melanoma cells. Prospects for improving the potency and selectivity of these inhibitors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Qin
- The Wistar Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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34
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Krepler C, Herlyn M, Villanueva J, Samatar A, Chen Y, Halloran M, Samanta M, He X, Vultur A, Wubbenhorst B, Nathanson K. Abstract B12: PTEN modulates sensitivity to a novel ERK inhibitor in BRAFV600E-mutant melanomas. Clin Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.mechres-b12] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The presence of activating BRAF mutations in approximately 50% of melanomas, the majority of which are BRAFV600E, has prompted the development of selective inhibitors of the BRAF/MAPK/ERK pathway for targeted therapy. RAF inhibitors, including vemurafenib and GSK2118436, have shown striking results in clinical trials, highlighting this pathway as a suitable target for melanoma therapy. A number of other pharmacological agents targeting this pathway are currently in pre-clinical or clinical development. However, therapy with MAPK pathway inhibitors results in a wide range of response patterns in patients with BRAF-mutant tumors. Furthermore, even in patients with measurable responses, tumors eventually develop resistance and patients relapse. It has been previously reported that activation of the PI3K pathway may play a role modulating the response to RAF and MEK inhibitors. Here we report that melanoma cells which harbor the BRAFV600E mutation and express PTEN have low levels of phospho-AKT and are sensitive to a novel ATP-competitive ERK inhibitor. In contrast, BRAFV600E mutant melanoma cell lines that do not express PTEN have higher levels of phospho-AKT and are less sensitive to ERK inhibition. Importantly, we have confirmed these findings in an in vivo xenotransplantation model of melanoma. Additionally, we found that siRNA-mediated PTEN silencing in a PTEN wild-type cell line modestly decreases sensitivity to ERK inhibition. Conversely, PTEN overexpression in a PTEN-null cell line partially sensitizes cells to the ERK small molecule inhibitor. Consistent with these findings, targeting PI3K in melanoma cells lacking functional PTEN sensitizes them to ERK inhibition. Our studies suggest that the presence or absence of functional PTEN can modulate response to ERK inhibitors and warrant further evaluation of combination strategies to treat melanomas refractory to inhibitors of the MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Krepler
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ahmed Samatar
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yuhao Chen
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Molly Halloran
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Minu Samanta
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Xu He
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Adina Vultur
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Bradley Wubbenhorst
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Katherine Nathanson
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2Merck Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 3University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has emerged as a central target for melanoma therapy due to its persistent activation in the majority of tumors. Several BRAF inhibitors aimed at curbing MAPK pathway activity are currently in advanced stages of clinical investigation. However, their therapeutic success is limited by the emergence of drug resistance, as responses are transient and tumors eventually recur. To develop effective and long-lasting therapies for melanoma patients, it is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Here, we briefly review recent preclinical studies that have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms of resistance to BRAF inhibitors and discuss potential strategies to treat drug-resistant melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Villanueva
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Blanck S, Cruchter T, Vultur A, Riedel R, Harms K, Herlyn M, Meggers E. Organometallic Pyridylnaphthalimide Complexes as Protein Kinase Inhibitors. Organometallics 2011; 30:4598-4606. [PMID: 21918590 DOI: 10.1021/om200366r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
A new metal-containing scaffold for the design of protein kinase inhibitors is introduced. Key feature is a 3-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthalimide "pharmacophore chelate ligand" which is designed to form two hydrogen bonds with the hinge region of the ATP-binding site and is at the same time capable of serving as a stable bidentate ligand through C-H-activation at the 4-position of the electron-deficient naphthalene moiety. This C-H-activation leads to a reduced demand for coordinating heteroatoms and thus sets the basis for a very efficient three-step synthesis starting from 1,8-naphthalic anhydride. The versatility of this ligand is demonstrated with the discovery of a ruthenium complex that functions as a nanomolar inhibitor for myosin light-chain kinase (MYLK or MLCK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Blanck
- Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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Krepler C, Chunduru SK, He X, Gimotty PA, Vultur A, Villanueva J, Herlyn M. Abstract 5480: Effect of the Smac mimetic TL32711 in combination with TRAIL or TNF alpha on a panel of melanoma cell lines. Cancer Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2011-5480] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although major advances have been made recently in the treatment of malignant melanoma, it remains an incurable disease when not surgically excised at a very early stage. This is due to the development of resistance to targeted compounds currently being tested in patients. In addition, the genetic heterogeneity of melanoma often limits the effects of those therapies to specific subsets of patients. New targets that are exploitable in multiple genetic subgroups of melanoma and that can overcome resistance are therefore still urgently needed. IAP's (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins) have been described as major players in conferring resistance to therapy by blocking the apoptotic cascade in a high percentage of melanomas. Thus, the sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli, such as TNF alpha or TRAIL, could be restored in melanomas using the novel Smac (second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases) mimetic, TL32711. A panel of patient-derived human melanoma cell lines was clustered according to mutational status, representing all major genetic subgroups of cutaneous melanoma. Cells were treated with TL32711 as a single agent or in combination with TRAIL or TNF-α for 72h. Cell viability was assessed by MTS assay. Target inhibition and initiation of apoptosis were also evaluated. To more accurately predict in vivo efficacy, cells were grown as three dimensional spheroids in a collagen matrix and treated as described above. Treatment effects on spheroids were assessed through confocal microscopy using live/ dead immune fluorescent staining, as well as alamar blue cell viability assay for objective quantification.We observed that seventeen out of eighteen cell lines tested were resistant to TL32711 as a single agent in vitro, even at high doses of the compound. Similarly, treatment with TRAIL or TNF-α alone did not show any significant increase in apoptosis. However, when TL32711 was combined with either TRAIL or TNF-α, a strong synergistic activity was observed in twelve out of eighteen cell lines at low doses, resulting in a dramatic increase in cell death of adherent and three dimensional cultures (spheroids). In all treated cell lines, degradation of the target IAP proteins was observed. However, only in sensitive cell lines, activation of apoptotic cascade was observed.In conclusion, the Smac mimetic TL32711 exhibits strong synergistic activity in combination with TRAIL or TNF-α leading to apoptosis in the majority of the genetically diverse cell lines tested. Since TNF-α and TRAIL are present in a high percentage of melanoma tumors in vivo, single agent activity of TL32711 may be observed in vivo.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5480. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5480
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xu He
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
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Villanueva J, Krepler C, Vultur A, Chen Y, He X, Wubbenhorst B, Nathanson KL, Herlyn M. Abstract 711: Understanding the mechanisms of resistance to BRAF inhibitors in melanoma. Cancer Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2011-711] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The presence of activating BRAF mutations in approximately 50% of melanomas, the majority of which are BRAFV600E, has prompted the development of selective BRAF inhibitors for targeted therapy. Pre-clinical data using multiple BRAF inhibitors and results from recent clinical trials using PLX4032 validate the effectiveness of this treatment strategy and offers hope to patients suffering from this deadly disease. However, similar to other malignancies, therapy with BRAF inhibitors is effective in only a subset of patients and even if an initial effective response is observed, tumors eventually develop resistance and patients relapse. We recently reported that acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors can be mediated by non-genetic mechanisms through rewiring of their signaling pathways and this is mediated by a RAF kinase switch and increased PI3K-dependent survival. However, as melanoma is a highly heterogeneous disease, we anticipate that multiple mechanisms can be associated with acquired resistance to BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors. Also, the mechanisms of intrinsic resistance can be different from those underlying acquired resistance.
Here we report that melanoma cells which harbor the BRAFV600E mutation and express PTEN have low levels of phospho-AKT and are sensitive to BRAF inhibitors. In contrast, BRAFV600E mutant melanoma cell lines that do not express PTEN have higher levels of phospho-AKT and are less sensitive to BRAF inhibitors. Co-targeting PI3K and mutant BRAF in melanoma cells that lack functional PTEN sensitizes them to the combination strategy. Our studies suggest that the presence or absence of functional PTEN can modulate response to inhibitors of the MAPK pathway and warrant further evaluation of combination strategies to treat melanomas refractory to BRAF inhibitors.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 711. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-711
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xu He
- 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
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Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and its incidence has been increasing worldwide. The disease manifests itself as clinically and genetically distinct subgroups, indicating the need for patient-specific diagnostic and treatment tools. The discovery of activating mutations (V600E) in the BRAF kinase in approximately 50% of patients spurred the development of compounds to inhibit aberrant BRAF activity, and the first drug candidate to show promising clinical activity is PLX4032 (also known as RG7204). Most recent clinical data from a phase II trial indicate that PLX4032 causes tumor regression and stabilized disease in >50% of advanced melanoma patients harboring BRAF V600E tumors. These data validate the effectiveness of oncogene-targeted therapy against advanced melanoma and offer hope that the disease can be overcome. However, as melanoma is dynamic and heterogeneous, careful treatment strategies and combination therapies are warranted to obtain long-term clinical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Vultur
- Program of Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Villanueva J, Vultur A, Lee JT, Somasundaram R, Fukunaga-Kalabis M, Cipolla AK, Wubbenhorst B, Xu X, Gimotty PA, Kee D, Santiago-Walker AE, Letrero R, D’Andrea K, Pushparajan A, Hayden JE, Brown KD, Laquerre S, McArthur GA, Sosman JA, Nathanson KL, Herlyn M. Acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors mediated by a RAF kinase switch in melanoma can be overcome by cotargeting MEK and IGF-1R/PI3K. Cancer Cell 2010; 18:683-95. [PMID: 21156289 PMCID: PMC3026446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2010.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 993] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BRAF is an attractive target for melanoma drug development. However, resistance to BRAF inhibitors is a significant clinical challenge. We describe a model of resistance to BRAF inhibitors developed by chronic treatment of BRAF(V)⁶⁰⁰(E) melanoma cells with the BRAF inhibitor SB-590885; these cells are cross-resistant to other BRAF-selective inhibitors. Resistance involves flexible switching among the three RAF isoforms, underscoring the ability of melanoma cells to adapt to pharmacological challenges. IGF-1R/PI3K signaling was enhanced in resistant melanomas, and combined treatment with IGF-1R/PI3K and MEK inhibitors induced death of BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells. Increased IGF-1R and pAKT levels in a post-relapse human tumor sample are consistent with a role for IGF-1R/PI3K-dependent survival in the development of resistance to BRAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Villanueva
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Adina Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - John T. Lee
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | | | | | - Angela K. Cipolla
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Bradley Wubbenhorst
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Phyllis A. Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Damien Kee
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria 8006, Australia
| | | | - Richard Letrero
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Kurt D’Andrea
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Anitha Pushparajan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - James E. Hayden
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | | | | | | | | | - Katherine L. Nathanson
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Correspondence: Tel: +1-215-898-3950. Fax: +1-215-898-0890
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Abstract
Unresponsiveness to therapy is a hallmark feature of advanced metastatic melanoma. However, the discovery of BRAF-activating mutations in approximately 50% of human melanomas has provided an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we discuss two recent publications focusing on the mutant BRAF kinase inhibitor PLX4032 that validate oncogene-targeted melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Geletu M, Mohan R, Arulanandam R, Vultur A, Raptis LH. Abstract 4004: Reciprocal regulation of Stat3 and the caveolae protein, cav1. Cancer Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am10-4004] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Caveolae are cholesterol-rich, flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane with many roles in the cell, including the regulation of signal transduction. Caveolin 1 (Cav1) is the major protein responsible for the organization and maintenance of caveolae microdomains. Cav1 recruits many receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases and through binding to its scaffolding-domain, Cav1 sequesters the kinases in an inactive form, thereby preventing their involvement in signaling pathways. One important downstream target of many tyrosine kinases (Src, EGF, PDGF, IL6 and others) is the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3). Stat3 is a cytoplasmic signal transducer which is activated by tyrosine-705 phosphorylation by a number of kinases, then migrates to the nucleus to initiate transcription of genes involved in cell division and survival. Despite extensive evidence on the role of cav1 in signal transduction, its effect upon Stat3 is still obscure.
We previously demonstrated that cell-to-cell adhesion, as occurs in confluent cultures, can cause a dramatic increase in Stat3 phosphorylation and activity in cultured cells (Oncogene 23:2600, MBC 16:3832). Therefore, to examine effects upon Stat3, cell density has to be taken into account. Our results now indicate that cav-1 downregulation through expression of an anti-sense construct, or treatment with the pharmacological inhibitor, methyl-cyclo-dextran which removes cholesterol from the membrane and destroys caveolae, caused a strong activation of Stat3 as well as Erk1/2, at all densities examined. Conversely, cav1 overexpression downregulated Stat3 and induced apoptosis in NIH3T3 fibroblasts both before and after transformation by the Simian Virus 40 Large Tumor antigen, as well as in HeLa cells. In all cases, apoptosis was prevented by co-expression of the constitutively active form of Stat3, Stat3C. Taken together, these findings point to cav1 as an inhibitor of Stat3 activity.
It was previously demonstrated that cav1 upregulates p53 gene activity. Since Stat3 is known to inhibit p53 transcription by direct binding to the p53 promotor, these data also point to the possibility that cav1 may, in fact, activate p53 through Stat3 inhibition.
Our results also demonstrate for the first time that, in a feedback loop, Stat3 inhibition following infection with an Adenovirus vector expressing a Stat3-specific, shRNA, results in a dramatic increase in cav1 levels, indicating that Stat3 also downregulates cav1 expression. Since p53 also upregulates cav1, and Stat3 blocks the p53 promotor, it is possible that Stat3 may block cav1 simply by downregulating p53, rather than downregulating the cav1 promotor directly. The above findings taken together reveal the presence of a potent, negative regulatory loop between cav1 and Stat3 activity that plays a crucial role in cellular survival. (supported by CIHR, CBCF-Ontario chapter, US Army breast cancer program NSERC and BCAK).
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4004.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reva Mohan
- 1Queen's Univ., Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Arulanandam R, Geletu M, Vultur A, Cao J, Larue L, Feracci H, Raptis LH. Abstract 991: Cadherin-cadherin engagement promotes cell survival via Rac/Cdc42 and Stat3. Cancer Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am10-991] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription-3) is activated by a number of receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, while a constitutively active form of Stat3 alone is sufficient to induce neoplastic transformation. We recently demonstrated a dramatic increase in the activity of Stat3 in breast carcinoma as well as normal epithelial cells and fibroblasts, as a consequence of cell to cell adhesion (Oncogene 23:2600). Given the generally accepted, positive role of Stat3 in proliferation, the Stat3 activity increase observed in confluent cells, that is when cells do not divide, was an unexpected observation. Interestingly, by plating cells onto surfaces coated with fragments encompassing the two outermost domains of E-cadherin and cadherin-11, two members of the classical type I and II cadherin family of surface receptors, responsible for the formation of cell to cell junctions, we demonstrated that cadherin engagement per se can directly activate Stat3, in the absence of cell to cell contact. Examination of the mechanism of the cadherin-mediated, Stat3 activation unexpectedly revealed for the first time a dramatic surge in total Rac1 and Cdc42 protein levels by cadherin engagement, and a proportional increase in Rac1 and Cdc42 activity. Therefore, to examine the potential role of Rac/Cdc42 in the density-dependent, Stat3 activation, the ability of mutationally activated RacV12 to activate Stat3 at high cell densities was examined. The results revealed a dramatic increase in protein levels and activity of both the endogenous Rac and RacV12 with cell density, which was due to inhibition of proteasomal degradation in both cases. In addition, RacV12-expressing cells had higher Stat3, tyrosine-705 phosphorylation and activity levels at all densities, indicating that RacV12 is, in fact, able to activate Stat3. Further examination of the mechanism of Stat3 activation showed that both cadherin engagement and RacV12 expression caused a surge in mRNA of Interleukin-6 (IL6) family cytokines, known potent Stat3 activators. Knockdown of gp130, the common subunit of this family reduced Stat3 activity in densely growing normal, as well as in RacV12-transformed cells, indicating that the IL6 family may be responsible for the Stat3 activation both by cadherin engagement and Rac mutational activation. Indeed, Rac knockdown reduced the density-mediated, Stat3 activation, indicating that Rac is responsible for the Stat3 stimulation observed upon cadherin ligation. Inhibition of cadherin interactions using a peptide, a soluble cadherin fragment or genetic ablation induced apoptosis, pointing to a significant role of this pathway in cell survival signalling, a finding which could also have important therapeutic implications. (supported by CIHR, CBCF-Ontario chapter, US Army breast cancer program, NSERC and Breast Cancer Action Kingston).
Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 991.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jun Cao
- 1Queen's Univ., Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Raptis L, Arulanandam R, Vultur A, Geletu M, Chevalier S, Feracci H. Beyond structure, to survival: activation of Stat3 by cadherin engagement. Biochem Cell Biol 2009; 87:835-43. [DOI: 10.1139/o09-061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells in normal tissues or in tumors have extensive opportunities for adhesion to their neighbors and the importance of cell to cell contact in the study of fundamental cellular processes is beginning to emerge. In this review, we discuss recent evidence of dramatic changes in the activity of an important signal transducer found to be profoundly affected by cell to cell adhesion, the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3). Direct cadherin engagement, growth of cells to postconfluence, or formation of multicellular aggregates were found to induce a striking increase in the levels of Stat3 activity, Rac1/Cdc42, and members of the IL6 receptor family in different settings. This activation was specific to Stat3, in that the levels of the extracellular signal regulated kinase (Erk1/2), a signal transducer often coordinately activated with Stat3 by a number of growth factors or oncogenes, remained unaffected by cell density. Density-dependent Stat3 activation may play a key role in survival, and could contribute to the establishment of cell polarity. It is clear that at any given time the total Stat3 activity levels in a cell are the sum of the effects of cell to cell adhesion plus the conventional Stat3 activating factors present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leda Raptis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
- Université Bordeaux 1, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS UPR 8641, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Rozanne Arulanandam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
- Université Bordeaux 1, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS UPR 8641, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Adina Vultur
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
- Université Bordeaux 1, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS UPR 8641, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Mulu Geletu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
- Université Bordeaux 1, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS UPR 8641, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Sébastien Chevalier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
- Université Bordeaux 1, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS UPR 8641, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Hélène Feracci
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
- Université Bordeaux 1, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS UPR 8641, 33600 Pessac, France
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Arulanandam R, Vultur A, Cao J, Carefoot E, Elliott BE, Truesdell PF, Larue L, Feracci H, Raptis L. Cadherin-cadherin engagement promotes cell survival via Rac1/Cdc42 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3. Mol Cancer Res 2009; 7:1310-27. [PMID: 19671682 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-08-0469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3) is activated by a number of receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, whereas a constitutively active form of Stat3 alone is sufficient to induce neoplastic transformation. In the present report, we show that Stat3 can also be activated through homophilic interactions by the epithelial (E)-cadherin. Indeed, by plating cells onto surfaces coated with fragments encompassing the two outermost domains of this cadherin, we clearly show that cadherin engagement can activate Stat3, even in the absence of direct cell-to-cell contact. Most importantly, our results also reveal for the first time an unexpected and dramatic surge in total Rac1 and Cdc42 protein levels triggered by cadherin engagement and an increase in Rac1 and Cdc42 activity, which is responsible for the Stat3 stimulation observed. Inhibition of cadherin interactions using a peptide, a soluble cadherin fragment, or genetic ablation induced apoptosis, points to a significant role of this pathway in cell survival signaling, a finding that could also have important therapeutic implications. (Mol Cancer Res 2009;7(8):1310-27).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozanne Arulanandam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
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Geletu M, Chaize C, Arulanandam R, Vultur A, Kowolik C, Anagnostopoulou A, Jove R, Raptis L. Stat3 activity is required for gap junctional permeability in normal rat liver epithelial cells. DNA Cell Biol 2009; 28:319-27. [PMID: 19456249 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2008.0833] [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: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neoplastic transformation by oncogenes such as activated Src is known to suppress gap junctional, intercellular communication (GJIC). One of the Src effector pathways leading to GJIC suppression and transformation is the Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk, so that inhibition of this pathway in vSrc-transformed cells restores GJIC. A distinct Src downstream effector required for neoplasia is the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3). To examine the role of Stat3 upon the Src-mediated, GJIC suppression, Stat3 was downregulated in rat liver epithelial cells expressing activated Src through treatment with the CPA7, Stat3 inhibitor, or through infection with a retroviral vector expressing a Stat3-specific shRNA. GJIC was examined by electroporating the fluorescent dye, Lucifer yellow, into cells grown on two coplanar electrodes of electrically conductive, optically transparent, indium-tin oxide, followed by observation of the migration of the dye to the adjacent, nonelectroporated cells under fluorescence illumination. The results demonstrate that, contrary to inhibition of the Ras pathway, Stat3 inhibition in cells expressing activated Src does not restore GJIC. On the contrary, Stat3 inhibition in normal cells with high GJIC levels eliminated junctional permeability. Therefore, Stat3's function is actually required for the maintenance of junctional permeability, although Stat3 generally promotes growth and in an activated form can act as an oncogene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulu Geletu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Buettner R, Mesa T, Vultur A, Lee F, Jove R. Inhibition of Src family kinases with dasatinib blocks migration and invasion of human melanoma cells. Mol Cancer Res 2009; 6:1766-74. [PMID: 19010823 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-08-0169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Src family kinases (SFK) are involved in regulating a multitude of biological processes, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival, depending on the cellular context. Therefore, although SFKs are currently being investigated as potential targets for treatment strategies in various cancers, the biological responses to inhibition of SFK signaling in any given tumor type are not predictable. Dasatinib (BMS-354825) is a dual Src/Abl kinase inhibitor with potent antiproliferative activity against hematologic malignancies harboring activated BCR-ABL. In this study, we show that dasatinib blocks migration and invasion of human melanoma cells without affecting proliferation and survival. Moreover, dasatinib completely inhibits SFK kinase activity at low nanomolar concentrations in all eight human melanoma cell lines investigated. In addition, two known downstream targets of SFKs, focal adhesion kinase and Crk-associated substrate (p130(CAS)), are inhibited with similar concentrations and kinetics. Consistent with inhibition of these signaling pathways and invasion, dasatinib down-regulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9. We also provide evidence that dasatinib directly inhibits kinase activity of the EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase, which is overexpressed and/or overactive in many solid tumors, including melanoma. Thus, SFKs and downstream signaling are implicated as having key roles in migration and invasion of melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Buettner
- Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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Vultur A, Buettner R, Kowolik C, Liang W, Smith D, Boschelli F, Jove R. SKI-606 (bosutinib), a novel Src kinase inhibitor, suppresses migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:1185-94. [PMID: 18483306 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Src family kinase activity is elevated in many human tumors, including breast cancer, and is often associated with aggressive disease. We examined the effects of SKI-606 (bosutinib), a selective Src family kinase inhibitor, on human cancer cells derived from breast cancer patients to assess its potential for breast cancer treatment. Our results show that SKI-606 caused a decrease in cell motility and invasion of breast cancer cell lines with an IC50 of approximately 250 nmol/L, which was also the IC50 for inhibition of cellular Src kinase activity in intact tumor cells. These changes were accompanied by an increase in cell-to-cell adhesion and membrane localization of beta-catenin. By contrast, cell proliferation and survival were unaffected by SKI-606 at concentrations sufficient to block cell migration and invasion. Analysis of downstream effectors of Src revealed that SKI-606 inhibits the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), and Crk-associated substrate (p130Cas), with an IC50 similar to inhibition of cellular Src kinase. Our findings indicate that SKI-606 inhibits signaling pathways involved in controlling tumor cell motility and invasion, suggesting that SKI-606 is a promising therapeutic for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Vultur
- Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Cao J, Arulanandam R, Vultur A, Anagnostopoulou A, Raptis L. Erratum: Differential effects of c-Ras upon transformation, adipocytic differentiation, and apoptosis mediated by the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen. Biochem Cell Biol 2008. [DOI: 10.1139/o08-033] [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: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cao
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, and Cancer Research Center, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont., Canada
| | - Rozanne Arulanandam
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, and Cancer Research Center, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont., Canada
| | - Adina Vultur
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, and Cancer Research Center, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont., Canada
| | - Aikaterini Anagnostopoulou
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, and Cancer Research Center, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont., Canada
| | - Leda Raptis
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, and Cancer Research Center, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont., Canada
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