Studies carried out by our laboratory during the current funding cycle, reached important milestones in the characterization of 1 integrins as novel regulators of intracellular signaling pathways participating in tumor progression in vivo. Using molecular and genetically engineered models of prostate cancer, we have now established a central role for 1 integrins in orchestrating cross-talk signaling with growth factor receptors, mostly the insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF-IR), modulating the activation of cytoplasmic kinases, including AKT and Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), and promoting tumor cell survival by counteracting apoptosis. We found that these responses are prominently exploited in prostate cancer progression, where 1 integrin-directed signaling is required for primary tumor growth, promotes metastatic dissemination, and antagonizes tumor response to therapy, especially ionizing radiation. Therefore, we formulated a unifying hypothesis that 1 integrins orchestrate multiple intracellular signaling pathways of gene expression, cell motility and cell survival in prostate cancer progression and this will constitute the focus of the present application for the next funding cycle. Experiments in specific aim 1 will dissect the role of 1 integrins in vitro and in vivo in the control of the sonic hedgehog pathway in tumor cells. The pro-metastatic functions of 1 integrins through a novel pathway of tumor cell migration and metastasis will be investigated in the second specific aim, with emphasis on dynamic redistribution of 1 integrins by Trop-2, a transmembrane receptor that is up-regulated in prostate cancer, in specialized subcellular microdomains of prostate cancer cells. The third specific aim will characterize a novel cell survival mechanism mediated by 1 integrins in prostate cancer cells, and centered on their selective inhibition of JNK1-mediated apoptosis in response to ionizing radiation. Overall, the application combines detailed elucidation of mechanistic pathways in vitro, with validation studies using state-of-the-art molecular and genetic models of prostate cancer in vivo. The results will uncover novel aspects of 1 integrin signaling important for cancer progression, and will establish a mechanistic foundation for novel translational approaches in prostate cancer therapy.

Public Health Relevance

The present study will elucidate a novel molecular network of synergistic cooperation between surface receptors and their downstream targets, and it will provide new insights in the current therapeutic approaches for prostate cancer that target either integrins or the insulin-like growth factor receptor. This line of investigations will establish a broad mechanistic foundation for novel translational approaches in the treatment of advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Overall, the application combines multidisciplinary state-of-the-art approaches from several fields of investigation into a single, integrated experimental platform, uniquely positioned to unravel novel pathogenetic mechanisms of prostate cancer progression.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA109874-10
Application #
8816036
Study Section
Tumor Progression and Metastasis Study Section (TPM)
Program Officer
Woodhouse, Elizabeth
Project Start
2004-09-01
Project End
2016-02-29
Budget Start
2015-03-01
Budget End
2016-02-29
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$261,235
Indirect Cost
$92,696
Name
Thomas Jefferson University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053284659
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19107
Wang, Tao; Huang, Jiayi; Vue, Mai et al. (2018) ?v?3 Integrin Mediates Radioresistance of Prostate Cancer Cells Through Regulation of Survivin. Mol Cancer Res :
Lu, Huimin; Bowler, Nicholas; Harshyne, Larry A et al. (2018) Exosomal ?v?6 integrin is required for monocyte M2 polarization in prostate cancer. Matrix Biol 70:20-35
DeRita, Rachel M; Zerlanko, Brad; Singh, Amrita et al. (2017) c-Src, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor, G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases and Focal Adhesion Kinase are Enriched Into Prostate Cancer Cell Exosomes. J Cell Biochem 118:66-73
Lu, Huimin; Wang, Tao; Li, Jing et al. (2016) ?v?6 Integrin Promotes Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer through JNK1-Mediated Activation of Androgen Receptor. Cancer Res 76:5163-74
Sayeed, Aejaz; Lu, Huimin; Liu, Qin et al. (2016) ?1 integrin- and JNK-dependent tumor growth upon hypofractionated radiation. Oncotarget 7:52618-52630
Ju, Xiaoming; Jiao, Xuanmao; Ertel, Adam et al. (2016) v-Src Oncogene Induces Trop2 Proteolytic Activation via Cyclin D1. Cancer Res 76:6723-6734
Singh, Amrita; Fedele, Carmine; Lu, Huimin et al. (2016) Exosome-mediated Transfer of ?v?3 Integrin from Tumorigenic to Nontumorigenic Cells Promotes a Migratory Phenotype. Mol Cancer Res 14:1136-1146
Dutta, Anindita; Li, Jing; Fedele, Carmine et al. (2015) ?v?6 integrin is required for TGF?1-mediated matrix metalloproteinase2 expression. Biochem J 466:525-36
Trerotola, Marco; Ganguly, Kirat K; Fazli, Ladan et al. (2015) Trop-2 is up-regulated in invasive prostate cancer and displaces FAK from focal contacts. Oncotarget 6:14318-28
Fedele, Carmine; Singh, Amrita; Zerlanko, Brad J et al. (2015) The ?v?6 integrin is transferred intercellularly via exosomes. J Biol Chem 290:4545-51

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