Chondrosarcoma is the only primary bone cancer that lacks an effective systemic treatment. It is the most common primary bone tumor in adults and survival is only 10-25%, with most patients succumbing to lung metastases. However, the mechanisms of metastasis, a strong potential target for therapeutics, are unknown. The long-term goal is to identify molecular targets for treatment. CXCR4 expression is endogenously upregulated in chondrosarcoma and its signaling increases expression of pro-metastatic factors. Specific microRNAs are also overexpressed in chondrosarcoma, and miR-181a in particular functions as an oncomir by enhancing CXCR4 signaling. Both CXCR4 signaling and miR-181a expression are also increased by hypoxia. The objective of this application is to use both cellular and animal model approaches to determine how overexpression of miR-181a is linked to metastasis in chondrosarcoma, and determine its appropriateness as a therapeutic target. CXCR4 is a G-protein-coupled receptor. Regulator of G-protein signaling protein sixteen (RGS16) has an inhibitory effect on CXCR4 signaling. Overexpression of specific microRNAs in cancer can disrupt inhibitory pathways, thereby promoting tumor progression. The central hypothesis is that miR-181a overexpression enhances CXCR4 signaling by inhibiting RGS16 and potentially other inhibitory pathways. This novel hypothesis is based on preliminary data produced in the applicant's laboratory. The rationale for this project is that the current antagonists for CXCR4 are only partly effective, suggesting a two-pronged approach based on targeting microRNA as well as the receptor, may be more effective. In this application, miR-181a as a CXCR4- enhancing oncomiR will be systematically investigated by pursuing two specific aims: 1) Determine the mechanistic link between hypoxia and chondrosarcoma metastasis; 2) Evaluate pharmacologic, anti-microRNA, and combined therapy in a chondrosarcoma mouse model.
In Aim #1, overexpression of miR-181a in chondro- sarcoma cells will be inhibited using a lentivirus based expression construct for anti-miR-181a which has been proven feasible in the applicant's hands. The effects of such inhibition on expression of RGS16 and CXCR4 signaling will be analyzed. 3'-UTR luciferase reporters will be used to validate RGS16 as a target of miR-181a.
In Aim #2, CXCR4 inhibition with anti-miR-181a, the drug AMD3100, and both will be evaluated in a mouse chondrosarcoma model for their effects on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In vivo bioimaging will be used to monitor matrix metalproteinase activity and angiogenesis in the tumors. The contribution of the pro- posed research is expected to be a detailed understanding of how microRNA and CXCR4 signaling regulate expression of MMPs, VEGF, and chondrosarcoma metastasis. This project is innovative because it utilizes anti-microRNA to inhibit CXCR4 signaling which may cause a shift from cytotoxic chemotherapy to biologic based therapy. The proposed research is significant because inhibition of CXCR4 signaling will provide the first biologically targeted therapy for chondrosarcoma.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research is relevant to public health because chondrosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in adults, with a very low survival rate and no effective therapeutics. The proposed research is expected to lead to new understanding of the mechanisms of chondrosarcoma metastasis and to new biologically targeted therapies, which is relevant to the the National Cancer Institute's mission pertaining to the cause and treatment of cancer.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA166089-03
Application #
8895077
Study Section
Skeletal Biology Development and Disease Study Section (SBDD)
Program Officer
Arya, Suresh
Project Start
2013-09-25
Project End
2016-07-31
Budget Start
2015-08-01
Budget End
2016-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rhode Island Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
075710996
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
Sun, Xiaojuan; Charbonneau, Cherie; Wei, Lei et al. (2015) miR-181a Targets RGS16 to Promote Chondrosarcoma Growth, Angiogenesis, and Metastasis. Mol Cancer Res 13:1347-57
Sun, Xiaojuan; Wei, Lei; Chen, Qian et al. (2015) MicroRNA regulates vascular endothelial growth factor expression in chondrosarcoma cells. Clin Orthop Relat Res 473:907-13
Thomas, Nathan P; Li, Pengcui; Fleming, Braden C et al. (2015) Attenuation of cartilage pathogenesis in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in mice by blocking the stromal derived factor 1 receptor (CXCR4) with the specific inhibitor, AMD3100. J Orthop Res 33:1071-8
Wang, Shaowei; Wei, Xiaochun; Zhou, Jingming et al. (2014) Identification of ?2-macroglobulin as a master inhibitor of cartilage-degrading factors that attenuates the progression of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 66:1843-53
Zhou, Jingming; Chen, Qian; Lanske, Beate et al. (2014) Disrupting the Indian hedgehog signaling pathway in vivo attenuates surgically induced osteoarthritis progression in Col2a1-CreERT2; Ihhfl/fl mice. Arthritis Res Ther 16:R11
Sun, Xiaojuan; Charbonneau, Cherie; Wei, Lei et al. (2013) CXCR4-targeted therapy inhibits VEGF expression and chondrosarcoma angiogenesis and metastasis. Mol Cancer Ther 12:1163-70