scholarly journals Lymphatic endothelium stimulates melanoma metastasis and invasion via MMP14-dependent Notch3 and β1-integrin activation

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pirita Pekkonen ◽  
Sanni Alve ◽  
Giuseppe Balistreri ◽  
Silvia Gramolelli ◽  
Olga Tatti-Bugaeva ◽  
...  

Lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis correlate with poor clinical outcome in melanoma. However, the mechanisms of lymphatic dissemination in distant metastasis remain incompletely understood. We show here that exposure of expansively growing human WM852 melanoma cells, but not singly invasive Bowes cells, to lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) in 3D co-culture facilitates melanoma distant organ metastasis in mice. To dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms, we established LEC co-cultures with different melanoma cells originating from primary tumors or metastases. Notably, the expansively growing metastatic melanoma cells adopted an invasively sprouting phenotype in 3D matrix that was dependent on MMP14, Notch3 and β1-integrin. Unexpectedly, MMP14 was necessary for LEC-induced Notch3 induction and coincident β1-integrin activation. Moreover, MMP14 and Notch3 were required for LEC-mediated metastasis of zebrafish xenografts. This study uncovers a unique mechanism whereby LEC contact promotes melanoma metastasis by inducing a reversible switch from 3D growth to invasively sprouting cell phenotype.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumei Li ◽  
Bifei Li ◽  
Fan Chen ◽  
Weiyu Shen ◽  
Vladimir L. Katanaev ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Metastasis is the leading cause of melanoma mortality. Current therapies are rarely curative for metastatic melanoma, revealing the urgent need to identify more effective preventive and therapeutic targets. This study aimed to screen for the key core genes and molecular mechanisms related to the metastasis of melanoma. Methods Gene expression profile, GSE8401 including 31 primary melanoma and 52 metastatic melanoma clinical samples, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between metastatic melanoma and primary melanoma were screened using GEO2R. Assays of gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway and protein-protein interaction (PPI) were performed to visualize these DEGs through Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) software and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and Cytoscape with Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plug-in tools. Top 10 genes with high degree were defined as hub genes. Furthermore, paired post-metastatic melanoma cells and pre-metastatic melanoma cells were established by experimental mouse model of melanoma metastasis to verify the expression of these hub genes. Results 424 DEGs between the metastatic melanoma and primary melanoma were screened, including 60 upregulated genes enriched in ECM-receptor interaction and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and 364 downregulated genes enriched in amoebiasis, melanogenesis, and ECM-receptor interaction. CDH1, EGFR, KRT5, COL17A1, KRT14, IVL, DSP, DSG1, FLG and CDK1 were defined as the hub genes. . In addition, paired post-metastatic melanoma cells (A375M) and pre-metastatic melanoma cells (A375) were established and qRT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression of the hub genes during melanoma metastasis. Conclusion This bioinformatic study has provided a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of melanoma metastasis. KRT5, IVL and COL17A1 have emerged as possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets in metastasis of melanoma.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pirita Pekkonen ◽  
Sanni Alve ◽  
Giuseppe Balistreri ◽  
Silvia Gramolelli ◽  
Olga Tatti-Bugaeva ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Anna Sobiepanek ◽  
Alessio Paone ◽  
Francesca Cutruzzolà ◽  
Tomasz Kobiela

AbstractMelanoma is the most fatal form of skin cancer, with increasing prevalence worldwide. The most common melanoma genetic driver is mutation of the proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase BRAF; thus, the inhibition of its MAP kinase pathway by specific inhibitors is a commonly applied therapy. However, many patients are resistant, or develop resistance to this type of monotherapy, and therefore combined therapies which target other signaling pathways through various molecular mechanisms are required. A possible strategy may involve targeting cellular energy metabolism, which has been recognized as crucial for cancer development and progression and which connects through glycolysis to cell surface glycan biosynthetic pathways. Protein glycosylation is a hallmark of more than 50% of the human proteome and it has been recognized that altered glycosylation occurs during the metastatic progression of melanoma cells which, in turn facilitates their migration. This review provides a description of recent advances in the search for factors able to remodel cell metabolism between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and of changes in specific markers and in the biophysical properties of cells during melanoma development from a nevus to metastasis. This development is accompanied by changes in the expression of surface glycans, with corresponding changes in ligand-receptor affinity, giving rise to structural features and viscoelastic parameters particularly well suited to study by label-free biophysical methods.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3279
Author(s):  
Yuet Ping Kwan ◽  
Melissa Hui Yen Teo ◽  
Jonathan Chee Woei Lim ◽  
Michelle Siying Tan ◽  
Graciella Rosellinny ◽  
...  

Although less common, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer largely due to its highly metastatic nature. Currently, there are limited treatment options for metastatic melanoma and many of them could cause serious side effects. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex disease pathophysiology of metastatic melanoma may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and facilitate the development of targeted therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the role of leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) in melanoma development and progression. We first established the association between LRG1 and melanoma in both human patient biopsies and mouse melanoma cell lines and revealed a significant induction of LRG1 expression in metastatic melanoma cells. We then showed no change in tumour cell growth, proliferation, and angiogenesis in the absence of the host Lrg1. On the other hand, there was reduced melanoma cell metastasis to the lungs in Lrg1-deficient mice. This observation was supported by the promoting effect of LRG1 in melanoma cell migration, invasion, and adhesion. Mechanistically, LRG1 mediates melanoma cell invasiveness in an EGFR/STAT3-dependent manner. Taken together, our studies provided compelling evidence that LRG1 is required for melanoma metastasis but not growth. Targeting LRG1 may offer an alternative strategy to control malignant melanoma.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Min Seung Lee ◽  
So Hyun Lim ◽  
Ah-Ran Yu ◽  
Chi Yeon Hwang ◽  
Insug Kang ◽  
...  

Proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib (BZ) and carfilzomib (CFZ), have been suggested as treatments for various cancers. To utilize BZ and/or CFZ as effective therapeutics for treating melanoma, we studied their molecular mechanisms using B16-F1 melanoma cells. Flow cytometry of Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled cells indicated apoptosis induction by treatment with BZ and CFZ. Apoptosis was evidenced by the activation of various caspases, including caspase 3, 8, 9, and 12. Treatment with BZ and CFZ induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as indicated by an increase in eIF2α phosphorylation and the expression of ER stress-associated proteins, including GRP78, ATF6α, ATF4, XBP1, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein. The effects of CFZ on ER stress and apoptosis were lower than that of BZ. Nevertheless, CFZ and BZ synergistically induced ER stress and apoptosis in B16-F1 cells. Furthermore, the combinational pharmacological interactions of BZ and CFZ against the growth of B16-F1 melanoma cells were assessed by calculating the combination index and dose-reduction index with the CompuSyn software. We found that the combination of CFZ and BZ at submaximal concentrations could obtain dose reduction by exerting synergistic inhibitory effects on cell growth. Moreover, this drug combination reduced tumor growth in C57BL/6 syngeneic mice. Taken together, these results suggest that CFZ in combination with BZ may be a beneficial and potential strategy for melanoma treatment.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiko Shindo ◽  
Kenta Ito ◽  
Kenichiro Hanawa ◽  
Kentaro Aizawa ◽  
Takashi Shiroto ◽  
...  

Purpose: Despite recent progress in the management of ischemic heart disease (IHD), the number of patients with severe IHD is increasing. In this study, we aimed to develop low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy for the treatment of IHD and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms for the LIPUS-induced angiogenesis. Methods and Results: We first confirmed that the LIPUS up-regulated mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with a peak at 32-cycle in cultured human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Then, we examined the in vivo effects of LIPUS in a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (n=28). The heart was treated with either sham or LIPUS (32-cycle, 20 min) at 3 different short axis levels (n=14 each). Four weeks after the therapy, LVEF was significantly improved in the LIPUS group (46±4 to 57±5%, P<0.05), whereas it remained unchanged in the control group. Capillary density and regional myocardial blood flow in the ischemic region were also increased in the LIPUS group but not in the control group. The protein expressions of VEGF, eNOS and bFGF in the ischemic area were enhanced in the LIPUS group compared with the control group. To further examine the signaling pathways responsible for the LIPUS-induced angiogenesis, HUVECs were transfected with siRNA or scrambled siRNA of either β1 integrin or caveolin-1. Knockdown of either β1 integrin or caveolin-1 with siRNA suppressed the LIPUS-induced up-regulation of VEGF. siRNA-mediated suppression of either focal adhesion kinase (FAK) or Fyn also inhibited the LIPUS-induced up-regulation of VEGF. Knockdown of these molecules with siRNA was confirmed with real-time PCR. Conclusions: These results suggest that the LIPUS therapy is promising as a new, non-invasive therapy for IHD and that β1 integrin and caveolin-1 may be involved in underlying molecular mechanisms for the beneficial effects of the LIPUS.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengxue Zhang ◽  
Bowen Wang ◽  
Craig Kent ◽  
Lian-Wang Guo

Introduction: Intimal hyperplasia (IH) occurs primarily due to vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) transformation from quiescent to pathogenic phenotypes (e.g. proliferation and inflammation). Identification and effective targeting of key epigenetic factors governing SMC pathogenic transformation may lead to novel therapeutic methods for prevention of IH. We previously found that globally blocking the bromo- and extra-terminal (BET) epigenetic “reader” family abrogated SMC phenotype transformation and IH. We further investigated the functions of the two BET bromodomains (Bromo1 and Bromo2). Hypothesis: Bromo1 and Bromo2 play different roles in SMC pathogenic transformation. Methods and Results: We pre-treated rat primary aortic SMCs (for 2h) with Olinone or RVX208, inhibitors specific for Bromo1 and Bromo2 respectively, and then stimulated SMC phenotype transformation. Whereas RVX208 abrogated PDGF-BB-stimulated SMC proliferation (BrdU assay) in a dose dependent manner, Olinone enhanced SMC proliferation at high concentrations (>20 μM). RVX208 at 50 μM reduced TNFα-induced SMC inflammation (MCP-1 ELISA) by 80%,but Olinone at the same concentration slightly increased MCP-1. Furthermore, whereas RVX208 abolished PDGF-BB or TNFα-induced STAT3 phosphorylation (Western blotting), Olinone slightly increased phospho-STAT3. Conclusions: Our results reveal that blocking two BET bromodomains respectively produces distinct effects on SMC phenotype transformation, suggesting their differential epigenetic functions. Further elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms should contribute to precise targeting of the BET family for optimal mitigation of IH.


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