The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) is an essential regulator of cell growth and transformation that promotes tumor cell proliferation, motility and protection from apoptosis. We have shown that in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells IGF1R activation increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis and secretion, initiating an autocrine VEGF:VEGFR2 signaling loop. Our overall hypothesis stipulates that VEGF signaling via VEGFR2, leads to enhanced HNSCC tumorigenicity and invasive cell behavior. In strong support of this hypothesis we have identified a cluster of proteins involved in cell motility activated by VEGF stimulation. These proteins include human enhancer of filamentation1 (HEF1), cortactin, paxillin, and focal adhesion kinase. Of significance, HEF1 (or neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated 9/NEDD9) has been identified as a signature protein required for metastasis in melanoma and glioblastoma. Consistent with this, we have shown that VEGF stimulated migration, invasion and invadopodia formation are all dependent upon HEF1 expression. We will further define the role HEF1 plays in HNSCC invasive behavior in the following aims. The goal of AIM 1 is to define the mechanism through which HEF1 mediates VEGF induced HNSCC cell migration and invasion. Specifically, we will define the specific tyrosine residues in HEF1 that are phosphorylated in response to VEGFR2 activation using complementary biochemical techniques and site-directed mutagenesis. We will further define the effector(s) that bind to these sites of regulation and define the role of the N-terminal SH3 domain and its interacting proteins in invasion.
In AIM 2 we will define VEGF regulation of invadopodia formation and the structural and functional contributions of HEF1 to this process. As a subset of this aim we will examine HEF1 localization to invadopodia, the role of its SH3 domain in this process and in matrix metalloproteinase delivery to invadopodia.
In AIM 3 we will test the hypothesis that elevated HEF1 expression is prognostic for advanced stage HNSCC tumors in contributing to metastasis and underlying a poor prognosis. Five year survival studies will also be conducted. Human HNSCC tissue arrays and tumor/normal pairs will be examined for HEF1 expression and select activation of signaling pathways. We will also test the contribution of HEF1 to metastasis using mouse carcinogenesis and xenograft models. These studies will provide important evidence demonstrating a role for HEF1 in HNSCC metastatic signaling downstream of crosstalk to VEGFR2. This will lead to the development of novel strategies and therapeutic agents aimed at reducing the tumorigenic and metastatic effects of the IGF and VEGF pathways in HNSCC.

Public Health Relevance

Cancer of the head and neck is the 6th most frequently occurring cancer worldwide, causing nearly 8,000 deaths per year nationally. Alcohol and tobacco are common risk factors, but additional factors contribute, including the IGF system and as shown here, VEGF signaling pathways. This proposal seeks to define the mechanisms by which VEGF receptors acting through the scaffold protein HEF1, regulate the invasive and metastatic behavior of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA134845-05
Application #
8693600
Study Section
Tumor Progression and Metastasis Study Section (TPM)
Program Officer
Ault, Grace S
Project Start
2008-07-01
Project End
2017-06-30
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Medical University of South Carolina
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29403
Grauzam, Stéphane; Brock, Amanda M; Holmes, Casey O et al. (2018) NEDD9 stimulated MMP9 secretion is required for invadopodia formation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 9:25503-25516
Rosenzweig, Steven A (2018) Acquired Resistance to Drugs Targeting Tyrosine Kinases. Adv Cancer Res 138:71-98
Coaxum, Sonya D; Tiedeken, Jessica; Garrett-Mayer, Elizabeth et al. (2017) The tumor suppressor capability of p53 is dependent on non-muscle myosin IIA function in head and neck cancer. Oncotarget 8:22991-23007
Jezierska-Drutel, Agnieszka; Rosenzweig, Steven A; Neumann, Carola A (2013) Role of oxidative stress and the microenvironment in breast cancer development and progression. Adv Cancer Res 119:107-25
Rossa Jr, Carlos; Sommer, Gunhild; Spolidorio, Luis C et al. (2012) Loss of expression and function of SOCS3 is an early event in HNSCC: altered subcellular localization as a possible mechanism involved in proliferation, migration and invasion. PLoS One 7:e45197
Rosenzweig, Steven A (2012) Acquired resistance to drugs targeting receptor tyrosine kinases. Biochem Pharmacol 83:1041-8
Swain, Monalisa; Slomiany, Mark G; Rosenzweig, Steven A et al. (2010) High-yield bacterial expression and structural characterization of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2. Arch Biochem Biophys 501:195-200
Mulligan, Jennifer K; Rosenzweig, Steven A; Young, M Rita I (2010) Tumor secretion of VEGF induces endothelial cells to suppress T cell functions through the production of PGE2. J Immunother 33:126-35
Lucas Jr, J T; Salimath, B P; Slomiany, M G et al. (2010) Regulation of invasive behavior by vascular endothelial growth factor is HEF1-dependent. Oncogene 29:4449-59
Rosenzweig, Steven A; Atreya, Hanudatta S (2010) Defining the pathway to insulin-like growth factor system targeting in cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 80:1115-24

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