Several protective mechanisms have evolved to ensure survival of cells under adverse condition. `Heat Shock Response' is one such survival mechanism. We have previously shown that heat shock protein-70, a multi-faceted chaperone protein protects pancreatic acinar cells from damage during acute pancreatitis. We have extended these observations to pancreatic cancer and have demonstrated that (HSP70) is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells and plays a very prominent role in protecting cancer cells from cell death. While previous research focused primarily on the properties of the cancer cell, there has recently been increased understanding of the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in supporting cancer growth. Pancreatic cancer has an intricate TME, which is believed to contribute to its aggressive behavior. While studies in non-pancreatic tumors suggest that lack of Heat Shock Factor-1 (HSF1) in stroma decreases the growth of, the role of heat shock response pathway in shaping the TME of pancreatic cancer has never been studied. Intriguingly, our data suggest that triptolide, a natural heat shock inhibitor modulates pancreatic cancer TME and depletes stroma. Our preliminary data also suggest that lack of HSP70 in stromal cells is associated with increased cytotoxic T cell infiltration. Furthermore, we have shown that depletion of HSP70 in immune cells, the other important component of TME, decreases growth of tumors and that T cells lacking HSP70 are more effective in killing pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. These data suggest that Heat Shock Response/ HSP70 in various components of TME (immune vs stroma) influence tumor growth and that triptolide could influence TME by modulating heat shock response. The current grant is focused towards understanding the role of Heat shock response in biology of pancreatic cancer.
In specific aim 1 we will confirm the role of stromal HSP70 and Heat Shock Response (HSR) in pancreatic cancer growth using a variety of animal models of pancreatic cancer as well as human specimens.
In aim 2, we will elucidate the mechanism by which HSP70 and heat shock response in tumor stroma promotes tumor growth. Specifically, we will elucidate if lack of stromal HSR leads to increased efficacy of immune cells against cancer cells. Finally, in aim 3, we will elucidate the mechanism(s) by which HSP70 and HSR in immune cells promote pancreatic cancer growth. Specifically, we will evaluate whether HSP70/HSR in T cells affect T cell activation and T cell mediated killing. We believe that elucidation of the mechanism by which HSP70/HSR in TME modulate pancreatic cancer progression will lead to increased comprehension of the mechanism cancer cell uses to evade cell death.

Public Health Relevance

We have previously shown that HSP-70, a chaperone protein, protects pancreatic acinar cells from damage during acute pancreatitis. We have extended these observations to demonstrate that HSP70 is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells and plays a very prominent role in protecting cancer cells from cell death. While previous research focused primarily on the properties of the cancer cell, there has recently been increased understanding of the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in supporting cancer growth. Current grant is focused on understanding the role of HSP70 in TME on Pancreatic cancer progression.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA124723-13
Application #
9917706
Study Section
Tumor Microenvironment Study Section (TME)
Program Officer
Hildesheim, Jeffrey
Project Start
2007-09-24
Project End
2023-04-30
Budget Start
2020-05-01
Budget End
2021-04-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Miami School of Medicine
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
052780918
City
Coral Gables
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33146
Garg, Bharti; Giri, Bhuwan; Modi, Shrey et al. (2018) NF?B in Pancreatic Stellate Cells Reduces Infiltration of Tumors by Cytotoxic T Cells and Killing of Cancer Cells, via Up-regulation of CXCL12. Gastroenterology 155:880-891.e8
Dauer, Patricia; Zhao, Xianda; Gupta, Vineet K et al. (2018) Inactivation of Cancer-Associated-Fibroblasts Disrupts Oncogenic Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Promotes Its Regression. Cancer Res 78:1321-1333
Nomura, Alice; Gupta, Vineet K; Dauer, Patricia et al. (2018) NF?B-Mediated Invasiveness in CD133+ Pancreatic TICs Is Regulated by Autocrine and Paracrine Activation of IL1 Signaling. Mol Cancer Res 16:162-172
Sethi, Vrishketan; Kurtom, Saba; Tarique, Mohammad et al. (2018) Gut Microbiota Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice by Modulating Immune Response. Gastroenterology 155:33-37.e6
Giri, Bhuwan; Sethi, Vrishketan; Modi, Shrey et al. (2017) ""Heat shock protein 70 in pancreatic diseases: Friend or foe"". J Surg Oncol 116:114-122
Sethi, Vrishketan; Giri, Bhuwan; Saluja, Ashok et al. (2017) Insights into the Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms. Dig Dis Sci 62:1778-1786
Dauer, Patricia; Gupta, Vineet K; McGinn, Olivia et al. (2017) Inhibition of Sp1 prevents ER homeostasis and causes cell death by lysosomal membrane permeabilization in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 7:1564
McGinn, Olivia; Gupta, Vineet K; Dauer, Patricia et al. (2017) Inhibition of hypoxic response decreases stemness and reduces tumorigenic signaling due to impaired assembly of HIF1 transcription complex in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 7:7872
Isharwal, Sumit; Modi, Shrey; Arora, Nivedita et al. (2017) Minnelide Inhibits Androgen Dependent, Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer Growth by Decreasing Expression of Androgen Receptor Full Length and Splice Variants. Prostate 77:584-596
Dauer, Patricia; Nomura, Alice; Saluja, Ashok et al. (2017) Microenvironment in determining chemo-resistance in pancreatic cancer: Neighborhood matters. Pancreatology 17:7-12

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