The long-term goal of this work is to identify secretory protein biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis and prognosis in animals and in humans. In addition to gas exchange, the lung is an organ for host defense through inflammatory responses. Inflammation is a protective process that facilitates pathogen clearance and repairs tissue injury in the lung. However, exuberant inflammation can cause severe consequences and lead to carcinogenesis. One commonly induced pro-inflammatory gene group during pulmonary inflammation is the interleukin 6 (IL-6) family cytokines. Upon binding to their cell-surface receptors, IL-6 family members trigger activation (phosphorylation) of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) by Janus-activated kinases (JAKs). To assess the consequences of STAT3 persistent activation in the lung, a doxycycline-controlled CCSP-rtTA/(tetO)7-CMV-Stat3C bitransgenic mouse model was generated recently in our laboratory that over-expresses STAT3C (the constitutively active form of STAT3) in alveolar type II (AT II) epithelial cells. In sequential steps, Stat3C over-expression promoted inflammation and adenocarcinoma in the lung with a high frequency (80%). This supports a concept that persistent inflammation triggered by the Stat3 signaling induces lung adenocarcinoma. In searching for human lung cancer samples, Stat3 up-regulation was highly associated with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, Stat3 and its downstream genes can be used as biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis in animals and humans. By Affymetrix GeneChip microarray analysis, multiple Stat3 downstream genes were identified in CCSP-rtTA/(tetO)7-CMV-Stat3C bitransgenic mice. A set of mostly-changed-genes from this list showed similar changes in human adenocarcinoma, confirming that Stat3 downstream genes are suitable for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Since many Stat3 downstream genes are plasma proteins, we plan to use them for blood testing in both animal lung adenocarcinoma models and in human lung cancer patients. The central hypothesis for this proposal is that secreted protein products of Stat3 downstream genes can be used for diagnosis and prognosis of lung adenocarcinomas in animal models and in humans.
Two aims are proposed to test the central hypothesis: 1) Characterization of Stat3 downstream genes as lung cancer biomarkers in animals. Three animal models that developed lung adenocarcinoma in association with inflammation will be used. Although they represent different molecular mechanisms for inducing lung adenocarcinoma, Stat3 gene up-regulation and activation are the common mechanism in all three animal models;2) Characterization of Stat3 downstream genes as lung cancer biomarkers in humans. Putative secreted biomarkers will be screened in lung tissues and blood samples that are from human adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer. After these studies, we would like to formulate a panel of protein biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in the blood of animal models and in human lung cancer patients.

Public Health Relevance

Lung cancer is one of the biggest public health challenges facing the United States and many other countries. This work will identify protein biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis in humans and in animals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA138759-02
Application #
8009858
Study Section
Cancer Biomarkers Study Section (CBSS)
Program Officer
Kim, Kelly Y
Project Start
2010-01-01
Project End
2014-12-31
Budget Start
2011-01-01
Budget End
2011-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$343,545
Indirect Cost
Name
Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
603007902
City
Indianapolis
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
46202
Lee, Chih-Chun; Ding, Xinchun; Zhao, Ting et al. (2018) Transthyretin Stimulates Tumor Growth through Regulation of Tumor, Immune, and Endothelial Cells. J Immunol :
Zhao, Ting; Ding, Xinchun; Yan, Cong et al. (2017) Endothelial Rab7 GTPase mediates tumor growth and metastasis in lysosomal acid lipase-deficient mice. J Biol Chem 292:19198-19208
Ding, Xinchun; Zhang, Wenjing; Zhao, Ting et al. (2017) Rab7 GTPase controls lipid metabolic signaling in myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Oncotarget 8:30123-30137
Kumar, Vinit; Cheng, Pingyan; Condamine, Thomas et al. (2016) CD45 Phosphatase Inhibits STAT3 Transcription Factor Activity in Myeloid Cells and Promotes Tumor-Associated Macrophage Differentiation. Immunity 44:303-15
Zhao, Ting; Du, Hong; Blum, Janice S et al. (2016) Critical role of PPAR? in myeloid-derived suppressor cell-stimulated cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Oncotarget 7:1529-43
Zhao, Ting; Yan, Cong; Du, Hong (2016) Lysosomal acid lipase in mesenchymal stem cell stimulation of tumor growth and metastasis. Oncotarget 7:61121-61135
Zhao, Ting; Ding, Xinchun; Du, Hong et al. (2016) Lung Epithelial Cell-Specific Expression of Human Lysosomal Acid Lipase Ameliorates Lung Inflammation and Tumor Metastasis in Lipa(-/-) Mice. Am J Pathol 186:2183-2192
Ding, Xinchun; Wu, Lingyan; Yan, Cong et al. (2015) Establishment of lal-/- myeloid lineage cell line that resembles myeloid-derived suppressive cells. PLoS One 10:e0121001
Zhao, T; Du, H; Ding, X et al. (2015) Activation of mTOR pathway in myeloid-derived suppressor cells stimulates cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in lal(-/-) mice. Oncogene 34:1938-48
Du, Hong; Zhao, Ting; Ding, Xinchun et al. (2015) Hepatocyte-Specific Expression of Human Lysosome Acid Lipase Corrects Liver Inflammation and Tumor Metastasis in lal(-/-) Mice. Am J Pathol 185:2379-89

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