Activating PIK3CA Mutations Induce an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)/Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase (ERK) Paracrine Signaling Axis in Basal-like Breast Cancer

Mutations in PIK3CA, the gene encoding the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) have been shown to transform human mammary epithelial cells (MECs). These mutations are present in all breast cancer subtypes, including basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we identified 72 protein expression changes in human basal-like MECs with knock-in E545K or H1047R PIK3CA mutations versus isogenic MECs with wild-type PIK3CA. Several of these were secreted proteins, cell surface receptors or ECM interacting molecules and were required for growth of PIK3CA mutant cells as well as adjacent cells with wild-type PIK3CA. The proteins identified by MS were enriched among human BLBC cell lines and pointed to a PI3K-dependent amphiregulin/EGFR/ERK signaling axis that is activated in BLBC. Proteins induced by PIK3CA mutations correlated with EGFR signaling and reduced relapse-free survival in BLBC. Treatment with EGFR inhibitors reduced growth of PIK3CA mutant BLBC cell lines and murine mammary tumors driven by a PIK3CA mutant transgene, all together suggesting that PIK3CA mutations promote tumor growth in part by inducing protein changes that activate EGFR.PIK3CA¹, the gene encoding the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), is one of the two most frequently mutated genes in breast cancer. Approximately 80% of these mutations occur in two hot spots in the helical domain (E545K, E542K) and in the catalytic domain (H1047R). PIK3CA activating mutations occur in ∼40% of luminal and HER2-enriched breast cancer subtypes and ∼10% of basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) (1). In this last tumor subtype, mutations in PIK3CA are the most frequent activating kinase mutation. Thus, understanding of how PIK3CA mutations operate in BLBC is important for identifying therapeutic targets in this subtype of the disease, which lacks approved targeted therapies.To elucidate mechanisms by which mutant PIK3CA transforms MECs, we used immortalized, nontumorigenic MCF10A cells, which exhibit basal-like gene expression. Although MCF10A cells require growth factors for proliferation (2), heterozygous knock-in of E545K or H1047R PIK3CA mutation allows growth factor-independent proliferation (3). These knock-in PIK3CA mutant MECs provide a robust model in which to study the impact of these mutations without the effects of random insertion and overexpression associated with ectopic gene transduction. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of these cells identified 72 proteins concordantly altered by both PIK3CA mutations. A significant fraction of these were secreted proteins, cell surface receptors or ECM interacting molecules, suggesting PIK3CA mutations induce changes involving communication with the tumor microenvironment. This analysis identified a PI3K-induced amphiregulin (AREG)-EGFR-ERK signaling pathway that was required for growth of PIK3CA-mutant cells as well as adjacent PIK3CA-WT cells. In addition, these protein changes correlated with poor clinical outcome in BLBC. EGFR antagonists inhibited growth of PIK3CA mutant BLBC tumors, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with this molecular subtype of breast cancer.     

The axon guidance receptor gene ROBO1 is a candidate gene for developmental dyslexia

Dyslexia, or specific reading disability, is the most common learning disorder with a complex, partially genetic basis, but its biochemical mechanisms remain poorly understood. A locus on Chromosome 3, DYX5, has been linked to dyslexia in one large family and speech-sound disorder in a subset of small families. We found that the axon guidance receptor gene ROBO1, orthologous to the Drosophila roundabout gene, is disrupted by a chromosome translocation in a dyslexic individual. In a large pedigree with 21 dyslexic individuals genetically linked to a specific haplotype of ROBO1 (not found in any other chromosomes in our samples), the expression of ROBO1 from this haplotype was absent or attenuated in affected individuals. Sequencing of ROBO1 in apes revealed multiple coding differences, and the selection pressure was significantly different between the human, chimpanzee, and gorilla branch as compared to orangutan. We also identified novel exons and splice variants of ROBO1 that may explain the apparent phenotypic differences between human and mouse in heterozygous loss of ROBO1. We conclude that dyslexia may be caused by partial haplo-insufficiency for ROBO1 in rare families. Thus, our data suggest that a slight disturbance in neuronal axon crossing across the midline between brain hemispheres, dendrite guidance, or another function of ROBO1 may manifest as a specific reading disability in humans.     

Prognostic Implications of SLIT and ROBO1 Expression in Gallbladder Cancer

SLIT, a secretory glycoprotein, and its receptor roundabout (ROBO) are expressed in several types of cancer and have been implicated in tumor angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic implications of SLIT and ROBO1 expression and their association with clinicopathologic characteristics in gallbladder cancer. A retrospective analysis of 109 consecutive patients who underwent primary gallbladder cancer resection was conducted. Univariate and multivariate models were used to analyze the effect of clinicopathologic factors on survival. Expression of SLIT and ROBO1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and their association with clinicopathologic characteristics was analyzed using mean testing. Multivariate linear regression analysis was also applied to investigate the independent predictors of ROBO1 expression. Seventy-five patients were included in the post-resection survival analysis, with 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates of 60 and 40 %, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that pN classification, pT classification, pM classification, liver involvement, perineural invasion, TNM staging, Nevin staging, and microscopic resection margins affect prognosis. Multivariate analysis confirmed that pN classification, liver involvement, and perineural invasion are independent prognostic factors. In the mean tests of 109 cases, the mean difference of SLIT immunoreactivity was significant according to the presence of gallstones (P = 0.003) and liver involvement (P = 0.005), while the mean difference of ROBO1 immunoreactivity was significant according to liver involvement (P < 0.001), TNM staging (P < 0.001), and Nevin staging (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of ROBO1 immunoreactivity showed that SLIT immunoreactivity and TNM stage (adjusted R ² = 0.203) or SLIT immunoreactivity and Nevin stage (adjusted R ² = 0.195) were independent predictors of ROBO1 expression. pN classification, liver involvement, perineural invasion, and pathologic stage are significant prognostic factors for gallbladder cancer survival. SLIT expression is associated with cholelithiasis and liver involvement, and ROBO1 expression is associated with liver involvement and pathologic stage. In addition, SLIT expression and pathologic stage predict ROBO1 expression independently.     

GABA(A) Receptor Pi (GABRP) Stimulates Basal-like Breast Cancer Cell Migration through Activation of Extracellular-regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprised of distinct subtypes predictive of patient outcome. Tumors of the basal-like subtype have a poor prognosis due to inherent aggressiveness and the lack of targeted therapeutics. Basal-like tumors typically lack estrogen receptor-α, progesterone receptor and HER2/ERBB2, or in other words they are triple negative (TN). Continued evaluation of basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) biology is essential to identify novel therapeutic targets. Expression of the pi subunit of the GABA(A) receptor (GABRP) is associated with the BLBC/TN subtype, and herein, we reveal its expression also correlates with metastases to the brain and poorer patient outcome. GABRP expression in breast cancer cell lines also demonstrates a significant correlation with the basal-like subtype suggesting that GABRP functions in the initiation and/or progression of basal-like tumors. To address this postulate, we stably silenced GABRP in two BLBC cell lines, HCC1187 and HCC70 cells. Decreased GABRP reduces in vitro tumorigenic potential and migration concurrent with alterations in the cytoskeleton, specifically diminished cellular protrusions and expression of the BLBC-associated cytokeratins, KRT5, KRT6B, KRT14, and KRT17. Silencing GABRP also decreases phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in both cell lines and selective inhibition of ERK1/2 similarly decreases the basal-like cytokeratins as well as migration. Combined, these data reveal a GABRP-ERK1/2-cytokeratin axis that maintains the migratory phenotype of basal-like breast cancer. GABRP is a component of a cell surface receptor, thus, these findings suggest that targeting this new signaling axis may have therapeutic potential in BLBC.     

Glucocorticoid regulation of SLIT/ROBO tumour suppressor genes in the ovarian surface epithelium and ovarian cancer cells

The three SLIT ligands and their four ROBO receptors have fundamental roles in mammalian development by promoting apoptosis and repulsing aberrant cell migration. SLITs and ROBOs have emerged as candidate tumour suppressor genes whose expression is inhibited in a variety of epithelial tumours. We demonstrated that their expression could be negatively regulated by cortisol in normal ovarian luteal cells. We hypothesised that after ovulation the locally produced cortisol would inhibit SLIT/ROBO expression in the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) to facilitate its repair and that this regulatory pathway was still present, and could be manipulated, in ovarian epithelial cancer cells. Here we examined the expression and regulation of the SLIT/ROBO pathway in OSE, ovarian cancer epithelial cells and ovarian tumour cell lines. Basal SLIT2, SLIT3, ROBO1, ROBO2 and ROBO4 expression was lower in primary cultures of ovarian cancer epithelial cells when compared to normal OSE (P<0.05) and in poorly differentiated SKOV-3 cells compared to the more differentiated PEO-14 cells (P<0.05). Cortisol reduced the expression of certain SLITs and ROBOs in normal OSE and PEO-14 cells (P<0.05). Furthermore blocking SLIT/ROBO activity reduced apoptosis in both PEO-14 and SKOV-3 tumour cells (P<0.05). Interestingly SLIT/ROBO expression could be increased by reducing the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor using siRNA (P<0.05). Overall our findings indicate that in the post-ovulatory phase one role of cortisol may be to temporarily inhibit SLIT/ROBO expression to facilitate regeneration of the OSE. Therefore this pathway may be a target to develop strategies to manipulate the SLIT/ROBO system in ovarian cancer.     

Proteomic Comparison of MCF-7 Tumoursphere and Monolayer Cultures

Breast cancer is a heterogenous disease, composed of tumour cells with differing gene expressions and phenotypes. Very few antigens have been identified and a better understanding of tumour initiating-cells as targets for therapy is critically needed. Recently, a rare subpopulation of cells within tumours has been described with the ability to: (i) initiate and sustain tumour growth; (ii) resist traditional therapies and allow for secondary tumour dissemination; and (iii) display some of the characteristics of stem cells such as self-renewal. These cells are termed tumour-initiating cells or cancer stem cells, or alternatively, in the case of breast cancer, breast cancer stem cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that breast cancer stem cells can be enriched for in “tumoursphere” culture. Proteomics represents a novel way to investigate protein expression between cells. We hypothesise that characterisation of the proteome of the breast cancer line MCF-7 tumourspheres compared to adherent/differentiated cells identifies proteins of novel interest for further isolating or targeting breast cancer stem cells. We present evidence that: (i) the proteome of adherent cells is different to the proteome of cells grown in sphere medium from either early passage (passage 2) or late passage (passage 5) spheres; (ii) that spheres are enriched in expression of a variety of tumour-relevant proteins (including MUC1 and Galectin-3); and (iii) that targeting of one of these identified proteins (galectin-3) using an inhibitor (N-acetyllactosamine) decreases sphere formation/self-renewal of MCF-7 cancer stem cells in vitro and tumourigenicity in vivo. Hence, proteomic analysis of tumourspheres may find use in identifying novel targets for future therapy. The therapeutic targeting of breast cancer stem cells, a highly clinically relevant sub-population of tumour cells, has the potential to eliminate residual disease and may become an important component of a multi-modality treatment of cancer.     

Isolation and differential expression of two isoforms of the ROBO2/Robo2 axon guidance receptor gene in humans and mice

Expression of Robo receptor molecules is important for axon guidance across the midline of the mammalian central nervous system. Here we describe novel isoform a of human ROBO2, which is initially strongly expressed in the fetal human brain but thereafter only weakly expressed in adult brain and a few other tissues. The known isoform b of ROBO2 shows a more or less ubiquitous expression pattern, suggesting diverse functional roles. The genomic structure and distinct expression patterns of Robo2a and Robo2b have been conserved in the mouse, but in contrast to human ROBO2a mouse Robo2a is also abundant in adult brain. Exons 1 and 2 of human ROBO2a lie in an inherently unstable DNA segment at human chromosome 3p12.3 that is associated with segmental duplications, independent chromosome rearrangements during primate evolution, and homozygous deletion and loss of heterozygosity in various human cancers. The 5' end of mouse Robo2a lies in a <150-kb DNA segment of break in synteny between mouse chromosome 16C3.1 and the human genome.     

Glut-1 Expression Correlates with Basal-like Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Glucose transporter 1 (Glut-1) is a facilitative glucose transporter expressed in many cancers including breast cancer. Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is a high-risk disease associated with poor prognosis and lacks the benefit of targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to characterize the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of Glut-1 in patients with BLBC compared with non-BLBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 523 cases of invasive breast carcinoma from our database. The clinicopathologic findings and the biologic markers including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) status were reviewed. IHC stains for cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p53, and Glut-1 were performed on tissue microarray using standard procedures. BLBC was defined as ER-,PR-, Her2-, and CK5/6+ and/or EGFR+. RESULTS: Of informative cases, 14.7% were categorized as BLBC versus 85.3% as non-BLBC. Glut-1 was expressed in 42 (76.4%) of 55 BLBCs, whereas only 55 (23.8%) of 231 non-BLBCs showed immunostaining for Glut-1 (P < .001). Overall, Glut-1 expression was significantly associated with high histologic grade, ER negativity, PR negativity, CK5/6 positivity, EGFR expression, and high p53 expression (P < .001). However, there was no correlation between Glut-1 immunostaining and patient's outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that Glut-1 is significantly associated with BLBC and might be a potential therapeutic target for this aggressive subgroup of breast cancer, and this warrants further investigations.     

Apoptosis mapping in space and time of 3D tumor ecosystems reveals transmissibility of cytotoxic cancer death

The emerging tumor-on-chip (ToC) approaches allow to address biomedical questions out of reach with classical cell culture techniques: in biomimetic 3D hydrogels they partially reconstitute ex vivo the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and the cellular dynamics involving multiple cell types (cancer cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, etc.). However, a clear bottleneck is the extraction and interpretation of the rich biological information contained, sometime hidden, in the cell co-culture videos. In this work, we develop and apply novel video analysis algorithms to automatically measure the cytotoxic effects on human cancer cells (lung and breast) induced either by doxorubicin chemotherapy drug or by autologous tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). A live fluorescent dye (red) is used to selectively pre-stain the cancer cells before co-cultures and a live fluorescent reporter for caspase activity (green) is used to monitor apoptotic cell death. The here described open-source computational method, named STAMP (spatiotemporal apoptosis mapper), extracts the temporal kinetics and the spatial maps of cancer death, by localizing and tracking cancer cells in the red channel, and by counting the red to green transition signals, over 2–3 days. The robustness and versatility of the method is demonstrated by its application to different cell models and co-culture combinations. Noteworthy, this approach reveals the strong contribution of primary cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to breast cancer chemo-resistance, proving to be a powerful strategy to investigate intercellular cross-talks and drug resistance mechanisms. Moreover, we defined a new parameter, the ‘potential of death induction’, which is computed in time and in space to quantify the impact of dying cells on neighbor cells. We found that, contrary to natural death, cancer death induced by chemotherapy or by CTL is transmissible, in that it promotes the death of nearby cancer cells, suggesting the release of diffusible factors which amplify the initial cytotoxic stimulus.     

Heterogeneity of Functional Properties of Clone 66 Murine Breast Cancer Cells Expressing Various Stem Cell Phenotypes

Introduction

Breast cancer grows, metastasizes and relapses from rare, therapy resistant cells with a stem cell phenotype (cancer stem cells/CSCs). However, there is a lack of studies comparing the functions of CSCs isolated using different phenotypes in order to determine if CSCs are homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Methods

Cells with various stem cell phenotypes were isolated by sorting from Clone 66 murine breast cancer cells that grow orthotopically in immune intact syngeneic mice. These populations were compared by in vitro functional assays for proliferation, growth, sphere and colony formation; and in vivo limiting dilution analysis of tumorigenesis.

Results

The proportion of cells expressing CD44^highCD24^low/neg, side population (SP) cells, ALDH1⁺, CD49f^high, CD133^high, and CD34^high differed, suggesting heterogeneity. Differences in frequency and size of tumor spheres from these populations were observed. Higher rates of proliferation of non-SP, ALDH1⁺, CD34^low, and CD49f^high suggested properties of transit amplifying cells. Colony formation was higher from ALDH1⁻ and non-SP cells than ALDH1⁺ and SP cells suggesting a progenitor phenotype. The frequency of clonal colonies that grew in agar varied and was differentially altered by the presence of Matrigel™. In vivo, fewer cells with a stem cell phenotype were needed for tumor formation than “non-stem” cells. Fewer SP cells were needed to form tumors than ALDH1⁺ cells suggesting further heterogeneities of cells with stem phenotypes. Different levels of cytokines/chemokines were produced by Clone 66 with RANTES being the highest. Whether the heterogeneity reflects soluble factor production remains to be determined.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that Clone 66 murine breast cancer cells that express stem cell phenotypes are heterogeneous and exhibit different functional properties, and this may also be the case for human breast cancer stem cells.     

Alterations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ROBO1/DUTT1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ROBO2</Emphasis> loci in early dysplastic lesions of head and neck: clinical and prognostic implications

Deletion of chromosomal 3p12.3 was suggested to be associated with dysplastic lesions of head and neck. This region harbors two candidate tumor suppressors ROBO1/DUTT1, ROBO2 and two non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) located at intron 2 of ROBO1/DUTT1. Aim of this study is to understand the role of these genes in development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. A collection of 72 dysplastic lesions and 116 HNSCC samples and two oral cancer cell lines were analyzed for ROBO1/DUTT1 and ROBO2 deletion and promoter methylation. ROBO1/DUTT1, ROBO2 and two ncRNAs mRNA expression were analyzed by Q-PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis of ROBO1/DUTT1 and ROBO2 was performed. Alterations of these genes were correlated with different clinicopathological parameters. High frequency of molecular alterations (deletion/methylation) was seen in ROBO1/DUTT1 than ROBO2. In mild dysplastic lesions both of these genes showed high molecular alterations and remained more or less constant in subsequent stages. Q-PCR analysis showed reduced expression of these genes and the two ncRNAs. In vitro demethylation experiment by 5-aza-dC showed upregulation of ROBO1/DUTT1 and ROBO2 while the expression of the ncRNAs remained unchanged. Immunohistochemical analysis of ROBO1/DUTT1 and ROBO2 showed concordance with their mRNA expression and molecular alterations. Poor patients’ outcome was predicted in the cases with alteration of ROBO1/DUTT1 along with tobacco addiction and nodal involvement. Our data suggests (a) ROBO1/DUTT1 and the ncRNAs are transcribed from different promoters, and (b) inactivation of ROBO1/DUTT1 could be used as molecular signature for early detection and prognosis of the head and neck cancer. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

EGF-induced Grb7 Recruits and Promotes Ras Activity Essential for the Tumorigenicity of Sk-Br3 Breast Cancer Cells

Co-amplification and co-overexpression of ErbB2 and Grb7 are frequently found in various cancers, including breast cancer. Biochemical and functional correlations of the two molecules have identified Grb7 to be a pivotal mediator downstream of ErbB2-mediated oncogenesis. However, it remains largely unknown how Grb7 is involve in the ErbB2-mediated tumorigenesis. In this study, we show that Grb7-mediated cell proliferation and growth are essential for the tumorigenesis that occurs in ErbB2-Grb7-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Intrinsically, EGF-induced de novo Grb7 tyrosine phosphorylation/activation recruits and activates Ras-GTPases and subsequently promotes the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, thereby stimulating tumor growth. Furthermore, we also found the anti-tumor effect could be synergized by co-treatment with Herceptin plus Grb7 knockdown in Sk-Br3 breast cancer cells. Our findings illustrate an underlying mechanism by which Grb7 promotes tumorigenesis through the formation of a novel EGFR-Grb7-Ras signaling complex, thereby highlighting the potential strategy of targeting Grb7 as an anti-breast cancer therapy.     

Disruption of ROBO2 is associated with urinary tract anomalies and confers risk of vesicoureteral reflux

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) include vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). VUR is a complex, genetically heterogeneous developmental disorder characterized by the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureter and is associated with reflux nephropathy, the cause of 15% of end-stage renal disease in children and young adults. We investigated a man with a de novo translocation, 46,X,t(Y;3)(p11;p12)dn, who exhibits multiple congenital abnormalities, including severe bilateral VUR with ureterovesical junction defects. This translocation disrupts ROBO2, which encodes a transmembrane receptor for SLIT ligand, and produces dominant-negative ROBO2 proteins that abrogate SLIT-ROBO signaling in vitro. In addition, we identified two novel ROBO2 intracellular missense variants that segregate with CAKUT and VUR in two unrelated families. Adult heterozygous and mosaic mutant mice with reduced Robo2 gene dosage also exhibit striking CAKUT-VUR phenotypes. Collectively, these results implicate the SLIT-ROBO signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of a subset of human VUR.