The transforming growth factor ? (TGF??) superfamily of signaling molecules fulfills essential functions in development and disease. Activins are members of this superfamily. Activin A (Act A) and TGF?? overlap in their intracellular signaling cascades and function and have multiple common downstream targets. We have previously demonstrated that coordinated loss of TGF?? receptor II and E-cadherin results in cell invasion. These genetically manipulated esophageal keratinocytes show activation of the common downstream target Smad2 despite the absence of functional TGF?? receptor II. These data indicate that Act A may be responsible for Smad2 activation in the absence of canonical TGF?? signaling in esophageal keratinocytes. The interaction of the epithelium with the surrounding microenvironment is essential for maintaining epithelial homeostasis. A knowledge gap exists as no mechanism for the dual function of Act A in the maintenance and disruption of homeostasis similar to TGF?? has been described yet. Our long-term goal is to produce mechanistic insights into the signaling pathways mediating epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk. Our central hypothesis for this study is that Act A signaling is a major regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk in the esophagus. Our preliminary data show the increased secretion of Act A in organotypic cultures and increased cell invasion of esophageal keratinocytes in Boyden chamber assays after Act A stimulation. Therefore, we propose to utilize state-of-the-art approaches and novel mouse models to demonstrate the role of Act A in squamous homeostasis in vitro and in vivo. These data will advance our understanding of TGF?? superfamily signaling in the esophagus. To test our hypothesis we pursue the following specific aims: 1) To determine how Act A signaling results in EMT and esophageal cell invasion. 1a) To define autocrine Act A signaling in esophageal epithelial cells and 1b) To analyze the functional consequences of ActRIIB loss. 2) To determine how paracrine Act A signaling induces fibroblast activation. 3) To identify the role of Act A in esophageal homeostasis in vivo. In the first aim, an established shRNA approach to suppress Act A and ActRII??, as well as overexpression thereof will be used to show the causal effects of Activin signaling on EMT and cell invasion. We have shown the successful use of organotypic cultures to demonstrate the disruption of epithelial homeostasis by altered epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk. We will utilize this system to identify how paracrine Act A secretion induces fibroblast activation in the second aim.
In specific aim 3, we make use of mouse models with targeted loss of E-cadherin and TGF?? receptor in the esophagus, which we have successfully developed. The approach is innovative, because it mimics the microenvironment by incorporating stromal and epithelial components in the analysis. The proposed research is significant, because it is expected to identify the role of a novel player, Activin A, in esophageal homeostasis.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research is relevant to public health because the identification of signaling pathways regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and esophageal keratinocyte invasion will advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disease and mechanisms of regulating homeostasis. This study will determine the role of Activin A autocrine and paracrine signaling in the induction of cell invasion in vitro and in vivo models. The proposed research is relevant to the part of NIH?s mission that pertains to reducing the suffering of those affected by chronic and costly diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK094900-02
Application #
8442894
Study Section
Clinical, Integrative and Molecular Gastroenterology Study Section (CIMG)
Program Officer
Carrington, Jill L
Project Start
2012-07-01
Project End
2017-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$327,425
Indirect Cost
$117,537
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Loomans, Holli A; Arnold, Shanna A; Hebron, Kate et al. (2017) Loss of ACVRIB leads to increased squamous cell carcinoma aggressiveness through alterations in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion proteins. Am J Cancer Res 7:2422-2437
Le Bras, Gregoire F; Farooq, Muhammad H; Falk, Gary W et al. (2016) Esophageal cancer: The latest on chemoprevention and state of the art therapies. Pharmacol Res 113:236-244
Loomans, Holli A; Arnold, Shanna A; Quast, Laura L et al. (2016) Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invasion is inhibited by Activin A in ACVRIB-positive cells. BMC Cancer 16:873
Andl, Claudia D (2016) Putting the Pieces Together: NOD-Like Receptor Protein 3 Inflammasome Priming and Activation in Barrett's Epithelial Cells. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2:400-402
Loomans, Holli A; Andl, Claudia D (2016) Activin receptor-like kinases: a diverse family playing an important role in cancer. Am J Cancer Res 6:2431-2447
Arnold, Shanna A; Loomans, Holli A; Ketova, Tatiana et al. (2016) Urinary oncofetal ED-A fibronectin correlates with poor prognosis in patients with bladder cancer. Clin Exp Metastasis 33:29-44
Koumangoye, Rainelli B; Andl, Thomas; Taubenslag, Kenneth J et al. (2015) SOX4 interacts with EZH2 and HDAC3 to suppress microRNA-31 in invasive esophageal cancer cells. Mol Cancer 14:24
Le Bras, Grégoire F; Taylor, Chase; Koumangoye, Rainelli B et al. (2015) TGF? loss activates ADAMTS-1-mediated EGF-dependent invasion in a model of esophageal cell invasion. Exp Cell Res 330:29-42
Taylor, Chase; Loomans, Holli A; Le Bras, Gregoire F et al. (2015) Activin a signaling regulates cell invasion and proliferation in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Oncotarget 6:34228-44
Andl, Claudia D (2015) Targeting HCC Therapy: On or Off ToPiX? Dig Dis Sci 60:2219-21

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