Tumor-associated chronic inflammation has long been linked to both hematogenous and lymphatic metastases, both of which directly correlated with reduced cancer patient survival. Beyond this correlation, little is known about the molecular basis of inflammation-associated metastasis. Studies designed to interrogate this question could advance development of effective therapies to improve patient outcomes. The proposed investigation will provide molecular insight into central mechanisms of inflammation that promote metastasis. The main pathway controlling inflammatory responses, Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-?B), is frequently hyperactive in epithelial tumors due to over-production of inflammatory cytokines by neoplastic cells as well as by host cells within the tumor microenvironment. Our preliminary studies demonstrate that activation of the NF-?B pathway increases expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), the main receptor driving lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. Evidence is also presented that in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) VEGFR-3 expression might be regulated by both the p50 subunit of NF-?B and the lymphatic-specific transcription factor, Prox1. Consistent with hyperactive NF-?B signaling, we found that NF-?B-inducing factors IL-1?, MIF and KC/CXCL1 are overexpressed in pro-lymphangiogenic breast tumor lines and act in concert with a VEGFR-3 specific ligand, VEGF-C156S, to synergistically induce LECs proliferation. Collectively, our findings imply that NF-?B and Prox1 activate the VEGFR-3 promoter, likely leading to increased VEGFR-3 expression and higher receptor density on the surface of LECs. Because the density of VEGFR-3 receptors is a likely rate-limiting step during lymphangiogenesis, we hypothesize that NF-?B and Prox1 mediated increase of VEGFR-3 transcription is crucial for induction of tumor lymphangiogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we propose the following Specific Aims: (1) Delineate the effects of NF-?B dependent inflammatory mediators IL-1?, MIF and KC/CXCL1 on VEGFR-3 expression, activation of VEGFR-3 signaling and LEC stimulation in vitro;(2) Delineate the role of Prox1 in NF-?B-mediated regulation of VEGFR-3 expression;(3) Define the role of host and tumor-derived IL-1?, MIF and KC/CXCL1 cytokines in induction of breast cancer-associated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in vivo. Successful completion of these aims is anticipated to provide the molecular basis imperative for the design of therapies specifically targeting tumor lymphangiogenesis and metastasis, thus advancing our overall goal of improving cancer patient survival.

Public Health Relevance

Epithelial malignancies frequently have an inflammatory component that has long been linked to increased vessel formation and incidence of metastasis. We propose to delineate the molecular events that associate tumor inflammation, the formation of new lymphatic vessels and lymphatic metastasis. This information will help to identify novel targets for inhibition of lymphatic metastasis. Because metastasis is the primary cause of mortality from cancer, these studies have the potential to significantly improve health outcomes in a large number of cancer patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA140732-01A1
Application #
7891116
Study Section
Tumor Microenvironment Study Section (TME)
Program Officer
Mohla, Suresh
Project Start
2010-04-01
Project End
2015-01-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2011-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$311,626
Indirect Cost
Name
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
038415006
City
Springfield
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
62794
Ran, Sophia; Wilber, Andrew (2017) Novel role of immature myeloid cells in formation of new lymphatic vessels associated with inflammation and tumors. J Leukoc Biol 102:253-263
Volk-Draper, Lisa D; Hall, Kelly L; Wilber, Andrew C et al. (2017) Lymphatic endothelial progenitors originate from plastic myeloid cells activated by toll-like receptor-4. PLoS One 12:e0179257
Ran, Sophia (2015) The Role of TLR4 in Chemotherapy-Driven Metastasis. Cancer Res 75:2405-10
Cromer, Walter E; Zawieja, Scott D; Tharakan, Binu et al. (2014) The effects of inflammatory cytokines on lymphatic endothelial barrier function. Angiogenesis 17:395-406
Volk-Draper, Lisa; Hall, Kelly; Griggs, Caitlin et al. (2014) Paclitaxel therapy promotes breast cancer metastasis in a TLR4-dependent manner. Cancer Res 74:5421-34
Mehner, Christine; Hockla, Alexandra; Miller, Erin et al. (2014) Tumor cell-produced matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) drives malignant progression and metastasis of basal-like triple negative breast cancer. Oncotarget 5:2736-49
Rajput, Sandeep; Volk-Draper, Lisa D; Ran, Sophia (2013) TLR4 is a novel determinant of the response to paclitaxel in breast cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 12:1676-87
Engelmann, David; Mayoli-Nüssle, Deborah; Mayrhofer, Christian et al. (2013) E2F1 promotes angiogenesis through the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 axis in a feedback loop for cooperative induction of PDGF-B. J Mol Cell Biol 5:391-403
Hall, Kelly L; Volk-Draper, Lisa D; Flister, Michael J et al. (2012) New model of macrophage acquisition of the lymphatic endothelial phenotype. PLoS One 7:e31794
Ran, Sophia; Montgomery, Kyle E (2012) Macrophage-mediated lymphangiogenesis: the emerging role of macrophages as lymphatic endothelial progenitors. Cancers (Basel) 4:618-57

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