UVB radiation is a complete carcinogen for skin and initiates signaling pathways and mutations that promote the formation of precancerous actinic keratoses (AKs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs). Both AKs and cSCCs are very common in older individuals with a history of sun-exposure, and the incidence of these lesions is expected to rise in the future. Common mutations in human cSCCs include loss-of-function mutations in p53 and gain-of-function mutations in Ras. In human AKs and cSCCs, Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) are activated in lesional cells compared with non- lesional epidermis, suggesting that SFKs promote skin cancer;this is consistent with the observation that the SFK Fyn is an effector of oncogenic Ras in human keratinocytes. Analysis of human cSCCs and AKs consistently shows decreased Srcasm levels suggesting that Srcasm downregulation may be necessary for neoplasia. Our previous data show that Fyn downregulates p53 and induces the spontaneous formation of precancerous lesions and cSCCs in K14-Fyn Y528F transgenic mice. These precancerous lesions and cSCCs resemble their human counterparts at the histologic and molecular levels. Raising Srcasm levels in these mice normalizes Fyn kinase activity, restores p53, and inhibits tumor formation. We genetically deleted Srcasm in mice and these mice have markedly reduced p53 levels in skin. Recent data show that UVB-treatment of Srcasm null mice produces precancerous lesions that resemble human AKs in 5 weeks. Together, these data show that Fyn and Srcasm form a signaling nexus that regulates skin cancer. The primary goal of this proposal is to demonstrate that Fyn and Srcasm play important Fyn in murine models and in genetically engineered, reconstituted human skin. Promoting Fyn activity should enhance UVB-induced signaling and DNA damage while increasing Srcasm levels should inhibit UVB-induced DNA damage and skin cancer. Decreasing Fyn should inhibit Ras-induced skin cancer. In these studies, we will show how Fyn and Srcasm regulate signaling pathways that contribute to skin cancer. Targeting the kinases responsible for promoting neoplasia in these mouse models with topically applied small molecule kinase inhibitors results in regression of these tumors, suggesting that such molecules may have potential in treating human lesions. The data obtained through this research proposal will further our knowledge of how SFKs and Srcasm regulate UVB-induced DNA damage and skin carcinogenesis. This work will also provide new candidate molecules that may improve topical therapies to treat AKs and cSCCs in patients.

Public Health Relevance

Actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinomas are UVB-induced skin lesions that are becoming more prevalent. Current treatments have side undesirable side effects which include prominent skin irritation. We have developed new mouse models of skin cancer that are responsive to UVB. These models will be studied in conjunction with engineered human skin to better understand how skin cancer develops. We will test potential topical therapies on these models that can eliminate the cancerous lesions without irritating the skin.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA165836-02
Application #
8513948
Study Section
Cancer Etiology Study Section (CE)
Program Officer
Okano, Paul
Project Start
2012-08-01
Project End
2017-05-31
Budget Start
2013-06-01
Budget End
2014-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$312,080
Indirect Cost
$117,030
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Dermatology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Parekh, Vishwas; Seykora, John T (2017) Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clin Lab Med 37:503-525
Taylor, Laura A; O'Day, Conor; Dentchev, Tzvete et al. (2016) p15 Expression Differentiates Nevus from Melanoma. Am J Pathol 186:3094-3099
Billings, Paul C; Sanzari, Jenine K; Kennedy, Ann R et al. (2015) Comparative analysis of colorimetric staining in skin using open-source software. Exp Dermatol 24:157-9
Johnson, Laura A; Scholler, John; Ohkuri, Takayuki et al. (2015) Rational development and characterization of humanized anti-EGFR variant III chimeric antigen receptor T cells for glioblastoma. Sci Transl Med 7:275ra22
Ortiz, Myrna L; Kumar, Vinit; Martner, Anna et al. (2015) Immature myeloid cells directly contribute to skin tumor development by recruiting IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells. J Exp Med 212:351-67
Wong, Waihay J; Richardson, Theresa; Seykora, John T et al. (2015) Hypoxia-inducible factors regulate filaggrin expression and epidermal barrier function. J Invest Dermatol 135:454-461
Seykora, John; Dentchev, Tzvete; Margolis, David J (2015) Filaggrin-2 barrier protein inversely varies with skin inflammation. Exp Dermatol 24:720-2
McNeal, Andrew S; Liu, Kevin; Nakhate, Vihang et al. (2015) CDKN2B Loss Promotes Progression from Benign Melanocytic Nevus to Melanoma. Cancer Discov 5:1072-85
Rendl, Michael; Sundberg, John; Seykora, John et al. (2014) Launch of the new letter category: 'mouse mutants with absent/minimal skin phenotype'. Exp Dermatol 23:691
Chehoud, Christel; Rafail, Stavros; Tyldsley, Amanda S et al. (2013) Complement modulates the cutaneous microbiome and inflammatory milieu. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:15061-6

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications