Apposition of Fibroblasts With Metaplastic Gastric Cells Promotes Dysplastic Transition.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Elements of field cancerization, including atrophic gastritis, metaplasia, and dysplasia, promote gastric cancer development in association with chronic inflammation. However, it remains unclear how stroma changes during carcinogenesis and how the stroma contributes to progression of gastric preneoplasia. Here we investigated heterogeneity of fibroblasts, one of the most important elements in the stroma, and their roles in neoplastic transformation of metaplasia. METHODS: We used single-cell transcriptomics to evaluate the cellular heterogeneity of mucosal cells from patients with gastric cancer. Tissue sections from the same cohort and tissue microarrays were used to identify the geographical distribution of distinct fibroblast subsets. We further evaluated the role of fibroblasts from pathologic mucosa in dysplastic progression of metaplastic cells using patient-derived metaplastic gastroids and fibroblasts. RESULTS: We identified 4 subsets of fibroblasts within stromal cells defined by the differential expression of PDGFRA, FBLN2, ACTA2, or PDGFRB. Each subset was distributed distinctively throughout stomach tissues with different proportions at each pathologic stage. The PDGFRα+ subset expanded in metaplasia and cancer compared with normal, maintaining a close proximity with the epithelial compartment. Co-culture of metaplasia- or cancer-derived fibroblasts with gastroids showing the characteristics of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia-induced disordered growth, loss of metaplastic markers, and increases in markers of dysplasia. Culture of metaplastic gastroids with conditioned media from metaplasia- or cancer-derived fibroblasts also promoted dysplastic transition. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that fibroblast associations with metaplastic epithelial cells can facilitate direct transition of metaplastic spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia cell lineages into dysplastic lineages.

Data-independent acquisition and quantification of extracellular matrix from human lung in chronic inflammation-associated carcinomas.

Early events associated with chronic inflammation and cancer involve significant remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which greatly affects its composition and functional properties. Using lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), a chronic inflammation-associated cancer (CIAC), we optimized a robust proteomic pipeline to discover potential biomarker signatures and protein changes specifically in the stroma. We combined ECM enrichment from fresh human tissues, data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategies, and stringent statistical processing to analyze "Tumor" and matched adjacent histologically normal ("Matched Normal") tissues from patients with LSCC. Overall, 1802 protein groups were quantified with at least two unique peptides, and 56% of those proteins were annotated as "extracellular." Confirming dramatic ECM remodeling during CIAC progression, 529 proteins were significantly altered in the "Tumor" compared to "Matched Normal" tissues. The signature was typified by a coordinated loss of basement membrane proteins and small leucine-rich proteins. The dramatic increase in the stromal levels of SERPINH1/heat shock protein 47, that was discovered using our ECM proteomic pipeline, was validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of "Tumor" and "Matched Normal" tissues, obtained from an independent cohort of LSCC patients. This integrated workflow provided novel insights into ECM remodeling during CIAC progression, and identified potential biomarker signatures and future therapeutic targets.

Soluble factors in malignant ascites promote the metastatic adhesion of gastric adenocarcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinoma of the proximal stomach is the fastest rising malignancy in North America. It is commonly associated with peritoneal accumulation of malignant ascites (MA), a fluid containing cancer and inflammatory cells and soluble proteins. Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is the most common site of gastric cancer (GC) progression after curative-intent surgery and is the leading cause of death among GC patients. METHODS/RESULTS: Using a panel of gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines (human: MKN 45, SNU-5; murine: NCC-S1M), we demonstrate that prior incubation of GC cells with MA results in a significant (> 1.7-fold) increase in the number of cells capable of adhering to human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) (p < 0.05). We then corroborate these findings using an ex vivo PM model and show that MA also significantly enhances the ability of GC cells to adhere to strips of human peritoneum (p < 0.05). Using a multiplex ELISA, we identify MIF and VEGF as consistently elevated across MA samples from GC patients (p < 0.05). We demonstrate that agents that block the effects of MIF or VEGF abrogate the ability of MA to stimulate the adhesion of GC cells to adhere to human peritoneum and promote both ex vivo and in vivo metastases. CONCLUSION: Agents targeting MIF or VEGF may be relevant to the treatment or prevention of PM in GC patients.

Relation between mismatch repair status, chemoresponse, survival and anatomic location in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: It has recently been reported that mismatch repair (MMR) status and microsatellite instability (MSI) status in gastroesophageal carcinomas predict surgical, chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic outcomes; however, there is extensive variability in the reported incidence and clinical implications of MMR/MSI status in gastroesophaegal adenocarcinomas. We characterized a Canadian surgical patient cohort with respect to MMR status, clinicopathologic correlates and anatomic tumour location. METHODS: We investigated MMR and BRAF V600E status of gastroesophaegal adenocarcinomas in patients who underwent gastrectomy or esophagectomy with extended (D2) lymphadenectomy at a single centre between 2011 and 2019. We correlated patterns of MMR expression in the overall cohort and in anatomic location-defined subgroups with treatment response and overall survival using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In all, 226 cases of gastroesophaegal adenocarcinoma (63 esophageal, 98 gastroesophageal junctional and 65 gastric) were included. The MMR-deficient (dMMR) immunophenotype was found in 28 tumours (12.3%) (15 junctional [15.3%], 13 gastric [20.0%] and none of the esophageal). The majority (25 [89%]) of dMMR cases showed MLH1/PMS2 loss without concurrent BRAF V600E mutation. Two MSH2/ MSH6-deficient gastric tumours and 1 MSH6-deficient junctional tumour were detected. The pathologic response to preoperative chemotherapy was comparable in the dMMR and MMR-proficient (pMMR) cohorts. However, dMMR status was associated with significantly longer median overall survival than pMMR status (5.8 yr v. 2.4 yr, hazard ratio [HR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-3.46), particularly in junctional tumours (4.6 yr v. 1.9 yr, HR 2.97, 95% CI 1.27-6.94). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that MMR status has at least prognostic value, which supports the need for biomarker testing in gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas, including junctional adenocarcinomas. This highlights the clinical significance of determining the MMR status in all adenocarcinomas of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Response to induction chemotherapy, however, was not influenced by MMR status.

Expression of DRD2 Is Increased in Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Inhibitors Slow Tumor Growth in Mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Incidence of and mortality from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, are almost equivalent, so better treatments are needed. We studied gene expression profiles of PDACs and the functions of genes with altered expression to identify new therapeutic targets. METHODS: We performed microarray analysis to analyze gene expression profiles of 195 PDAC and 41 non-tumor pancreatic tissue samples. We undertook an extensive analysis of the PDAC transcriptome by superimposing interaction networks of proteins encoded by aberrantly expressed genes over signaling pathways associated with PDAC development to identify factors that might alter regulation of these pathways during tumor progression. We performed tissue microarray analysis to verify changes in expression of candidate protein using an independent set of 152 samples (40 nontumor pancreatic tissues, 63 PDAC sections, and 49 chronic pancreatitis samples). We validated the functional relevance of the candidate molecule using RNA interference or pharmacologic inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cell lines and analyses of xenograft tumors in mice. RESULTS: In an analysis of 38,276 human genes and loci, we identified 1676 genes that were significantly up-regulated and 1166 genes that were significantly down-regulated in PDAC compared with nontumor pancreatic tissues. One gene that was up-regulated and associated with multiple signaling pathways that are dysregulated in PDAC was G protein subunit αi2, which has not been previously associated with PDAC. G protein subunit αi2 mediates the effects of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) on cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling; PDAC tissues had a slight but significant increase in DRD2 messenger RNA. Levels of DRD2 protein were substantially increased in PDACs, compared with non-tumor tissues, in tissue microarray analyses. RNA interference knockdown of DRD2 or inhibition with pharmacologic antagonists (pimozide and haloperidol) reduced proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells, induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, and reduced cell migration. RNA interference knockdown of DRD2 in pancreatic tumor cells reduced growth of xenograft tumors in mice, and administration of the DRD2 inhibitor haloperidol to mice with orthotopic xenograft tumors reduced final tumor size and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: In gene expression profile analysis of PDAC samples, we found the DRD2 signaling pathway to be activated. Inhibition of DRD2 in pancreatic cancer cells reduced proliferation and migration, and slowed growth of xenograft tumors in mice. DRD2 antagonists routinely used for management of schizophrenia might be tested in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Triptolide abrogates growth of colon cancer and induces cell cycle arrest by inhibiting transcriptional activation of E2F.

Despite significant progress in diagnostics and therapeutics, over 50 thousand patients die from colorectal cancer annually. Hence, there is urgent need for new lines of treatment. Triptolide, a natural compound isolated from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii, is effective against multiple cancers. We have synthesized a water soluble analog of triptolide, named Minnelide, which is currently in phase I trial against pancreatic cancer. The aims of the current study were to evaluate whether triptolide/Minnelide is effective against colorectal cancer and to elucidate the mechanism by which triptolide induces cell death in colorectal cancer. Efficacy of Minnelide was evaluated in subcutaneous xenograft and liver metastasis model of colorectal cancer. For mechanistic studies, colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT29 were treated with triptolide and the effect on viability, caspase activation, annexin positivity, lactate dehydrogenase release, and cell cycle progression was evaluated. Effect of triptolide on E2F transcriptional activity, mRNA levels of E2F-dependent genes, E2F1- retinoblastoma protein (Rb) binding, and proteins levels of regulator of G1-S transition was also measured. DNA binding of E2F1 was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Triptolide decreased colon cancer cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Minnelide markedly inhibited the growth of colon cancer in the xenograft and liver metastasis model of colon cancer and more than doubles the median survival of animals with liver metastases from colon cancer. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that at low concentrations triptolide induces apoptotic cell death but at higher concentrations it induces cell cycle arrest. Our data suggest that triptolide is able to induce G1 cell cycle arrest by inhibiting transcriptional activation of E2F1. Our data also show that triptolide downregulates E2F activity by potentially modulating events downstream of DNA binding. Therefore, we conclude that Triptolide and Minnelide are effective against colon cancer in multiple pre-clinical models.

Minnelide effectively eliminates CD133(+) side population in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease hallmarked by limited patient survival. Resistance to chemotherapy, a major cause of treatment failure in PDAC patients, is often attributed to Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Pancreatic CSCs are a small subset of quiescent cells within a tumor represented by surface markers like CD133. These cells are responsible not only for tumor recurrence, but also poor prognosis based on their "stem-like" characteristics. At present, conventional therapy is directed towards rapidly dividing PDAC cells and thus fails to target the CSC population. METHODS: MIA PaCa-2, S2-013 and AsPC-1 were treated with 12.5 nM triptolide (12 T cells) for 7 days. The surviving cells were recovered briefly in drug-free growth media and then transferred to Cancer Stem cell Media (CSM). As a control, untreated cells were also transferred to CSM media (CSM). The 12 T and CSM cells were tested for stemness properties using RNA and protein markers. Low numbers of CSM and 12 T cells were implanted subcutaneously in athymic nude mice to study their tumorigenic potential. 12 T and CSM cells were sorted for CD133 expression and assayed for their colony forming ability and sphere forming ability. Invasiveness of 12 T cells, CSM and MIA PaCa-2 were compared using Boyden chamber assays. RESULTS: Treated 12 T cells displayed increased expression of the surface marker CD133 and the drug transporter ABCG2 compared to untreated cells (CSM cells). Both 12 T and CSM cells formed subcutaneous tumors in mice confirming their tumor-initiating properties. When tested for invasion, 12 T cells had increased invasiveness compared to CSM cells. CD133(+) cells in both CSM and 12 T showed greater colony and sphere forming ability compared to CD133(-) cells from each group. Consistent with these data, when injected subcutaneously in mice, CD133(-) cells from CSM or 12 T did not form any tumors whereas CD133(+) cells from both groups showed tumor formation at a very low cell number. Despite pre-exposure to triptolide in 12 T CD133(+) cells, treatment of tumors formed by these cells with Minnelide, a triptolide pro-drug, showed significant tumor regression. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that triptolide enhanced and enriched the "stemness" in the PDAC cell lines at a low dose of 12.5 nM, but also resulted in the regression of tumors derived from these cells.

Triptolide-induced cell death in pancreatic cancer is mediated by O-GlcNAc modification of transcription factor Sp1.

Pancreatic cancer, the fourth most prevalent cancer-related cause of death in the United States, is a disease with a dismal survival rate of 5% 5 years after diagnosis. One of the survival proteins responsible for its extraordinary ability to evade cell death is HSP70. A naturally derived compound, triptolide, and its water-soluble prodrug, Minnelide, down-regulate the expression of this protein in pancreatic cancer cells, thereby causing cell death. However, the mechanism of action of triptolide has not been elucidated. Our study shows that triptolide-induced down-regulation of HSP70 expression is associated with a decrease in glycosylation of the transcription factor Sp1. We further show that triptolide inhibits glycosylation of Sp1, inhibiting the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway, particularly the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase. Inhibition of O-GlcNAc transferase prevents nuclear localization of Sp1 and affects its DNA binding activity. This in turn down-regulates prosurvival pathways like NF-κB, leading to inhibition of HSF1 and HSP70 and eventually to cell death. In this study, we evaluated the mechanism by which triptolide affects glycosylation of Sp1, which in turn affects downstream pathways controlling survival of pancreatic cancer cells.

Triptolide activates unfolded protein response leading to chronic ER stress in pancreatic cancer cells.

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a survival rate of <5%. Moreover, pancreatic cancer aggressiveness is closely related to high levels of prosurvival mediators, which can ultimately lead to rapid disease progression. One of the mechanisms that enables tumor cells to evade cellular stress and promote unhindered proliferation is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. Disturbances in the normal functions of the ER lead to an evolutionarily conserved cell stress response, the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR initially compensates for damage, but it eventually triggers cell death if ER dysfunction is severe or prolonged. Triptolide, a diterpene triepoxide, has been shown to be an effective compound against pancreatic cancer. Our results show that triptolide induces the UPR by activating the PKR-like ER kinase-eukaryotic initiation factor 2α axis and the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α-X-box-binding protein 1 axis of the UPR and leads to chronic ER stress in pancreatic cancer. Our results further show that glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), one of the major regulators of ER stress, is downregulated by triptolide, leading to cell death by apoptosis in MIA PaCa-2 cells and autophagy in S2-VP10 cells.

HiChIP-Based Epigenomic Footprinting Identifies a Promoter Variant of UXS1 That Confers Genetic Susceptibility to Gastroesophageal Cancer.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than a hundred single nucleotide variants (SNV) associated with the risk of gastroesophageal cancer (GEC). The majority of the identified SNVs map to noncoding regions of the genome. Uncovering the causal SNVs and genes they modulate could help improve GEC prevention and treatment. Herein, we used HiChIP against histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) to simultaneously annotate active promoters and enhancers, identify the interactions between them, and detect nucleosome-free regions (NFR) harboring potential causal SNVs in a single assay. The application of H3K27ac HiChIP in GEC relevant models identified 61 potential functional SNVs that reside in NFRs and interact with 49 genes at 17 loci. The approach led to a 67% reduction in the number of SNVs in linkage disequilibrium at these 17 loci, and at 7 loci, a single putative causal SNV was identified. One SNV, rs147518036, located within the promoter of the UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase 1 (UXS1) gene, seemed to underlie the GEC risk association captured by the rs75460256 index SNV. The rs147518036 SNV creates a GABPA DNA recognition motif, resulting in increased promoter activity, and CRISPR-mediated inhibition of the UXS1 promoter reduced the viability of the GEC cells. These findings provide a framework that simplifies the identification of potentially functional regulatory SNVs and target genes underlying risk-associated loci. In addition, the study implicates increased expression of the enzyme UXS1 and activation of its metabolic pathway as a predisposition to gastric cancer, which highlights potential therapeutic avenues to treat this disease. Significance: Epigenomic footprinting using a histone posttranslational modification targeted 3D genomics methodology elucidates functional noncoding sequence variants and their target genes at cancer risk loci.

Cotargeting CDK4/6 and BRD4 Promotes Senescence and Ferroptosis Sensitivity in Cancer.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors are approved for breast cancer treatment and show activity against other malignancies, including KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the clinical efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors is limited due to frequent drug resistance and their largely cytostatic effects. Through a genome-wide cDNA screen, we identified that bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) overexpression conferred resistance to the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in KRAS-mutant NSCLC cells. Inhibition of BRD4, either by RNA interference or small-molecule inhibitors, synergized with palbociclib to induce senescence in NSCLC cells and tumors, and the combination prolonged survival in a KRAS-mutant NSCLC mouse model. Mechanistically, BRD4-inhibition enhanced cell-cycle arrest and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, both of which are necessary for senescence induction; this in turn elevated GPX4, a peroxidase that suppresses ROS-triggered ferroptosis. Consequently, GPX4 inhibitor treatment selectively induced ferroptotic cell death in the senescent cancer cells, resulting in tumor regression. Cotargeting CDK4/6 and BRD4 also promoted senescence and ferroptosis vulnerability in pancreatic and breast cancer cells. Together, these findings reveal therapeutic vulnerabilities and effective combinations to enhance the clinical utility of CDK4/6 inhibitors. SIGNIFICANCE: The combination of cytostatic CDK4/6 and BRD4 inhibitors induces senescent cancer cells that are primed for activation of ferroptotic cell death by targeting GPX4, providing an effective strategy for treating cancer.

miR-204 mediated loss of Myeloid cell leukemia-1 results in pancreatic cancer cell death.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal human malignancies, with an all-stage 5-year survival of <5%, mainly due to lack of effective available therapies. Cancer cell survival is dependent upon up-regulation of the pro-survival response, mediated by anti-apoptotic proteins such as Mcl-1. RESULTS: Here we show that over-expression of Mcl-1 in pancreatic patient tumor samples is linked to advancement of the disease. We have previously shown that triptolide, a diterpene triepoxide, is effective both in vitro and in vivo, in killing pancreatic cancer cells. Decrease of Mcl-1 levels, either by siRNA or by treatment with triptolide results in cell death. Using pancreatic cancer cell lines, we have shown that miR-204, a putative regulator of Mcl-1, is repressed in cancer cell lines compared to normal cells. Over-expression of miR-204, either by a miR-204 mimic, or by triptolide treatment results in a decrease in Mcl-1 levels, and a subsequent decrease in cell viability. Using luciferase reporter assays, we confirmed the ability of miR-204 to down-regulate Mcl-1 by directly binding to the Mcl-1 3' UTR. Using human xenograft samples treated with Minnelide, a water soluble variant of triptolide, we have shown that miR-204 is up-regulated and Mcl-1 is down-regulated in treated vs. control tumors. CONCLUSION: Triptolide mediated miR-204 increase causes pancreatic cancer cell death via loss of Mcl-1.

Bioprinted Multicomponent Hydrogel Co-culture Tumor-Immune Model for Assessing and Simulating Tumor-Infiltrated Lymphocyte Migration and Functional Activation.

The immune response against a tumor is characterized by the interplay among components of the immune system and neoplastic cells. Here, we bioprinted a model with two distinct regions containing gastric cancer patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and tumor-infiltrated lymphocytes (TILs). The initial cellular distribution allows for the longitudinal study of TIL migratory patterns concurrently with multiplexed cytokine analysis. The chemical properties of the bioink were designed to present physical barriers that immune T-cells must breech during infiltration and migration toward a tumor with the use of an alginate, gelatin, and basal membrane mix. TIL activity, degranulation, and regulation of proteolytic activity reveal insights into the time-dependent biochemical dynamics. Regulation of the sFas and sFas-ligand present on PDOs and TILs, respectively, and the perforin and granzyme longitudinal secretion confirms TIL activation when encountering PDO formations. TIL migratory profiles were used to create a deterministic reaction-advection diffusion model. The simulation provides insights that decouple passive from active cell migration mechanisms. The mechanisms used by TILs and other adoptive cell therapeutics as they infiltrate the tumor barrier are poorly understood. This study presents a pre-screening strategy for immune cells where motility and activation across ECM environments are crucial indicators of cellular fitness.

Constructing 3D In Vitro Models of Heterocellular Solid Tumors and Stromal Tissues Using Extrusion-Based Bioprinting.

Malignant tumor tissues exhibit inter- and intratumoral heterogeneities, aberrant development, dynamic stromal composition, diverse tissue phenotypes, and cell populations growing within localized mechanical stresses in hypoxic conditions. Experimental tumor models employing engineered systems that isolate and study these complex variables using in vitro techniques are under development as complementary methods to preclinical in vivo models. Here, advances in extrusion bioprinting as an enabling technology to recreate the three-dimensional tumor milieu and its complex heterogeneous characteristics are reviewed. Extrusion bioprinting allows for the deposition of multiple materials, or selected cell types and concentrations, into models based upon physiological features of the tumor. This affords the creation of complex samples with representative extracellular or stromal compositions that replicate the biology of patient tissue. Biomaterial engineering of printable materials that replicate specific features of the tumor microenvironment offer experimental reproducibility, throughput, and physiological relevance compared to animal models. In this review, we describe the potential of extrusion-based bioprinting to recreate the tumor microenvironment within in vitro models.

Tumour extracellular vesicles induce neutrophil extracellular traps to promote lymph node metastasis.

Lymph nodes (LNs) are frequently the first sites of metastasis. Currently, the only prognostic LN assessment is determining metastatic status. However, there is evidence suggesting that LN metastasis is facilitated by the formation of a pre-metastatic niche induced by tumour derived extracellular vehicles (EVs). Therefore, it is important to detect and modify the LN environmental changes. Earlier work has demonstrated that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can sequester and promote distant metastasis. Here, we first confirmed that LN NETs are associated with reduced patient survival. Next, we demonstrated that NETs deposition precedes LN metastasis and NETs inhibition diminishes LN metastases in animal models. Furthermore, we discovered that EVs are essential to the formation of LN NETs. Finally, we showed that lymphatic endothelial cells secrete CXCL8/2 in response to EVs inducing NETs formation and the promotion of LN metastasis. Our findings reveal the role of EV-induced NETs in LN metastasis and provide potential immunotherapeutic vulnerabilities that may occur early in the metastatic cascade.

Concerted epithelial and stromal changes during progression of Barrett's Esophagus to invasive adenocarcinoma exposed by multi-scale, multi-omics analysis.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma arises from Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous metaplastic replacement of squamous by columnar epithelium in response to chronic inflammation. Multi-omics profiling, integrating single-cell transcriptomics, extracellular matrix proteomics, tissue-mechanics and spatial proteomics of 64 samples from 12 patients' paths of progression from squamous epithelium through metaplasia, dysplasia to adenocarcinoma, revealed shared and patient-specific progression characteristics. The classic metaplastic replacement of epithelial cells was paralleled by metaplastic changes in stromal cells, ECM and tissue stiffness. Strikingly, this change in tissue state at metaplasia was already accompanied by appearance of fibroblasts with characteristics of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts and of an NK cell-associated immunosuppressive microenvironment. Thus, Barrett's esophagus progresses as a coordinated multi-component system, supporting treatment paradigms that go beyond targeting cancerous cells to incorporating stromal reprogramming.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B modulates early endosome fusion and trafficking of Met and epidermal growth factor receptors.

The endoplasmic reticulum-localized non-receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is associated with oncogenic, metabolic, and cytokine-related signaling and functionally targets multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) for dephosphorylation. Loss of PTP1B activity leads to enhanced ligand-dependent biological activity of the Met RTK among others. Here, we demonstrate that knockdown of PTP1B or expression of a PTP1B trapping aspartic acid-to-alanine substitution (D/A) mutant delayed ligand-induced degradation of the Met and EGF RTKs. Loss of PTP1B function abrogated trafficking of Met and EGF receptor to Rab5- and phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (Pl3P)-positive early endosomes and subsequent trafficking through the degradative pathway. Under these conditions, internalization of the Met and EGF receptors was unaltered, suggesting a block at the level of early endosome formation. We show that the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF), an essential component of the vesicle fusion machinery, was hyperphosphorylated in PTP1B knockdown or PTP1B D/A-expressing cells and was a target for PTP1B. NSF knockdown phenocopied PTP1B knockdown, demonstrating a mechanism through which PTP1B regulates endocytic trafficking. Finally, we show that PTP1B dephosphorylated NSF and that this interaction was required for physiological RTK trafficking and appropriate attenuation of downstream signaling.

The Gab1 scaffold regulates RTK-dependent dorsal ruffle formation through the adaptor Nck.

The polarised distribution of signals downstream from receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulates fundamental cellular processes that control cell migration, growth and morphogenesis. It is poorly understood how RTKs are involved in the localised signalling and actin remodelling required for these processes. Here, we show that the Gab1 scaffold is essential for the formation of a class of polarised actin microdomain, namely dorsal ruffles, downstream from the Met, EGF and PDGF RTKs. Gab1 associates constitutively with the actin-nucleating factor N-WASP. Following RTK activation, Gab1 recruits Nck, an activator of N-WASP, into a signalling complex localised to dorsal ruffles. Formation of dorsal ruffles requires interaction between Gab1 and Nck, and also requires functional N-WASP. Epithelial cells expressing Gab1DeltaNck (Y407F) exhibit decreased Met-dependent Rac activation, fail to induce dorsal ruffles, and have impaired cell migration and epithelial remodelling. These data show that a Gab1-Nck signalling complex interacts with several RTKs to promote polarised actin remodelling and downstream biological responses.

Inhibition of LPS-mediated TLR4 activation abrogates gastric adenocarcinoma-associated peritoneal metastasis.

Surgical resection, the cornerstone of curative intent treatment for gastric adenocarcinoma, is associated with a high rate of infection-related post-operative complications, leading to an increased incidence of metastasis to the peritoneum. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an antigen from Gram-negative bacteria, represents a potential mechanism via induction of local and systemic inflammation through activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR). Here, we use both a novel ex vivo model of peritoneal metastasis and in vivo animal models to assess gastric cancer cell adhesion to peritoneum both before and after inhibition of the TLR4 pathway. We demonstrate that activation of TLR4 by either LPS or Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) significantly increases the adherence of gastric cancer cells to human peritoneal mesothelial cells, and that this increased adherence is abrogated by inhibition of the TLR4 signal cascade and downstream TAK1 and MEK1/2 pathways. We also demonstrate that the influence of LPS on adherence extends to peritoneal tissue and metastatic spread. Furthermore, we show that loss of TLR4 at the site of metastasis reduces tumor cell adhesion, implicating the TLR4 signaling cascade in potentiating metastatic adhesion and peritoneal spread. These results identify potential therapeutic targets for the clinical management of patients undergoing resection for gastric cancer.