LAMC2 marks a tumor-initiating cell population with an aggressive signature in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-initiating cells (TIC), also known as cancer stem cells, are considered a specific subpopulation of cells necessary for cancer initiation and metastasis; however, the mechanisms by which they acquire metastatic traits are not well understood. METHODS: LAMC2 transcriptional levels were evaluated using publicly available transcriptome data sets, and LAMC2 immunohistochemistry was performed using a tissue microarray composed of PDAC and normal pancreas tissues. Silencing and tracing of LAMC2 was performed using lentiviral shRNA constructs and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination, respectively. The contribution of LAMC2 to PDAC tumorigenicity was explored in vitro by tumor cell invasion, migration, sphere-forming and organoids assays, and in vivo by tumor growth and metastatic assays. mRNA sequencing was performed to identify key cellular pathways upregulated in LAMC2 expressing cells. Metastatic spreading induced by LAMC2- expressing cells was blocked by pharmacological inhibition of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling. RESULTS: We report a LAMC2-expressing cell population, which is endowed with enhanced self-renewal capacity, and is sufficient for tumor initiation and differentiation, and drives metastasis. mRNA profiling of these cells indicates a prominent squamous signature, and differentially activated pathways critical for tumor growth and metastasis, including deregulation of the TGF-ß signaling pathway. Treatment with Vactosertib, a new small molecule inhibitor of the TGF-ß type I receptor (activin receptor-like kinase-5, ALK5), completely abrogated lung metastasis, primarily originating from LAMC2-expressing cells. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a highly metastatic subpopulation of TICs marked by LAMC2. Strategies aimed at targeting the LAMC2 population may be effective in reducing tumor aggressiveness in PDAC patients. Our results prompt further study of this TIC population in pancreatic cancer and exploration as a potential therapeutic target and/or biomarker.

TGF-ß1 secreted by pancreatic stellate cells promotes stemness and tumourigenicity in pancreatic cancer cells through L1CAM downregulation.

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) secrete high levels of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) that contributes to the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). TGF-ß1 modulates the expression of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), but its role in tumour progression still remains controversial. To clarify L1 function in PDAC and cellular phenotypes, we performed L1CAM cell sorting, silencing and overexpression in several primary pancreatic cancer cells. PSCs silenced for TGF-ß1 were used for crosstalk experiments. We found that TGF-ß1 secreted by PSCs negatively regulates L1CAM expression, through canonical TGF-ß-Smad2/3 signalling, leading to a more aggressive PDAC phenotype. Cells with reduced expression of L1CAM harboured enhanced stemness potential and tumourigenicity. Inactivation of TGF-ß1 signalling in PSCs strongly reduced the aggressiveness of PDAC cells. Our data provide functional proof and mechanistic insights for the tumour-suppressive function of L1CAM via reducing stemness. Rescuing L1CAM expression in cancer cells through targeting of TGF-ß1 reverses stemness and bears the potential to improve the still miserable prognosis of PDAC patients.