Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions that play pivotal roles in maintaining tissue architecture, integrity and function. Desmogleins (Dsg) 1-4 are the transmembrane components of desmosomes and are the target molecules in several human autoimmune, infectious and heritable diseases highlighting their roles in cell-cell adhesion, skin barrier function, and hair follicle development. However, whether these desmogleins can mediate cell signaling under normal and diseased conditions is still poorly understood. In human, genetic mutations in the DSG2 gene results in inherited arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy. Studies of the Dsg2 null mice attest to the importance of Dsg2 during embryonic development and in stem cell growth and survival. Furthermore, Dsg2 is over-expressed in certain epithelial malignancies suggesting a role in cell proliferation and differentiation that favor of tumor development. We recently provide strong evidence that overexpression of Dsg2 in epidermal keratinocytes deregulates multiple signaling pathways associated with increased growth rate, anchorage-independent cell survival, and the development of skin tumors in vivo. These compelling results call for an in-depth investigation of novel roles of desmosomal cadherins in epithelial cell biology and skin tumor development. The long-term goal of our laboratory is to elucidate desmosome-mediated signaling at the molecular and cellular level;particularly, the differences between normal and pathogenic signaling during skin development. Our central hypothesis is that desmogleins can activate signaling events that are independent of desmosomal structure and adhesive function. We argue that the function of desmogleins strictly within the context of the desmosome is not sufficient to explain their diverse biologic effects. Thus the overall goal for this proposal is to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms activated by Dsg2 that impact epithelial cell growth, survival and malignant transformation. This goal will be pursued in three Specific Aims designed to: 1) Assess the effects of Dsg2 on signaling and malignant transformation when expressed in different cell populations specifically progenitor and differentiating epithelial cells;2) Assess the role of proteolytic processing of Dsg2 in epithelial cell growth and survival;and 3) Determine the role of caveolin-1 in Dsg2-mediated signaling and malignant transformation. The proposed work is innovative because it capitalizes on our recent discovered """"""""oncogenic"""""""" role of Dsg2 and preliminary data showing complex proteolytic processing of Dsg2 and localization of Dsg2 with caveolin-1 to the caveolae, specialized lipid rafts that are involved in many key growth and survival signaling pathways. The results obtained here will enhance our understanding of desmosomal cadherins and the pathology of desmosome-associated diseases and will help identify new directions for therapeutic treatments of acquired and inherited diseases resulting from impaired desmosome function.

Public Health Relevance

This application will help define the roles of desmosomal cadherins in modulating, not only epithelial cell-cell adhesion, but also cell growth and survival. In particular, we will focus on desmoglein 2, which is up regulated in several skin cancers. Determining the molecular mechanisms by which desmoglein 2 affects tumor growth and development has the potential of identifying new targets for therapeutic cancer treatments.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR056067-03
Application #
8197909
Study Section
Tumor Microenvironment Study Section (TME)
Program Officer
Baker, Carl
Project Start
2009-12-01
Project End
2014-11-30
Budget Start
2011-12-01
Budget End
2012-11-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$333,720
Indirect Cost
$117,720
Name
Thomas Jefferson University
Department
Dermatology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053284659
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19107
Brennan-Crispi, Donna M; Overmiller, Andrew M; Tamayo-Orrego, Lukas et al. (2018) Overexpression of Desmoglein 2 in a Mouse Model of Gorlin Syndrome Enhances Spontaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma Formation through STAT3-Mediated Gli1 Expression. J Invest Dermatol :
Cooper, Felicia; Overmiller, Andrew M; Loder, Anthony et al. (2018) Enhancement of Cutaneous Wound Healing by Dsg2 Augmentation of uPAR Secretion. J Invest Dermatol 138:2470-2479
Overmiller, Andrew M; Pierluissi, Jennifer A; Wermuth, Peter J et al. (2017) Desmoglein 2 modulates extracellular vesicle release from squamous cell carcinoma keratinocytes. FASEB J 31:3412-3424
Overmiller, Andrew M; McGuinn, Kathleen P; Roberts, Brett J et al. (2016) c-Src/Cav1-dependent activation of the EGFR by Dsg2. Oncotarget 7:37536-37555
Gupta, Abhilasha; Nitoiu, Daniela; Brennan-Crispi, Donna et al. (2015) Cell cycle- and cancer-associated gene networks activated by Dsg2: evidence of cystatin A deregulation and a potential role in cell-cell adhesion. PLoS One 10:e0120091
Roberts, Brett J; Johnson, Kristen E; McGuinn, Kathleen P et al. (2014) Palmitoylation of plakophilin is required for desmosome assembly. J Cell Sci 127:3782-93
McGuinn, Kathleen P; Mahoney, M? G (2014) Lipid rafts and detergent-resistant membranes in epithelial keratinocytes. Methods Mol Biol 1195:133-44
Brennan, Donna; Chen, Xiaole; Cheng, Lan et al. (2012) Noncanonical Hedgehog signaling. Vitam Horm 88:55-72
El-Domyati, Moetaz; El-Ammawi, Tarek S; Moawad, Osama et al. (2012) Efficacy of mesotherapy in facial rejuvenation: a histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Int J Dermatol 51:913-9
Brennan, D; Peltonen, S; Dowling, A et al. (2012) A role for caveolin-1 in desmoglein binding and desmosome dynamics. Oncogene 31:1636-48

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