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Don L. Gibbons - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A genetic cell context-dependent role for ZEB1 in lung cancer
    Nature communications, 2016
    Co-Authors: Ting Zhang, Don L. Gibbons, Lixia Guo, Chad J. Creighton, Bo Deng, Julian R. Molina, Zhifu Sun, Ping Yang
    Abstract:

    The Zinc-finger E-box-binding Homeobox-1 (ZEB1) is a transcription factor that promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acts as an oncogene in KRAS-mutated lung cancer models. Here we report that ZEB1 exerts the opposite effect in EGFR-mutated lung cancer cells, where it suppresses growth by increasing microRNA-200 targets to antagonize ERBB3, a driver of mutant EGFR-dependent cell growth. Among these targets, NOTCH1 represses ERBB3 promoter activity and the expression of ERBB3. Furthermore, we find that EGFR inhibitor treatment, which inhibits the growth of EGFR-mutated cells, induces ZEB1. Despite its growth-inhibiting effect, EGFR inhibitor-induced ZEB1 strongly promotes EMT-dependent resistance to EGFR inhibitors partially through NOTCH1, suggesting a multifunctional role for NOTCH1 in EGFR-mutated cells. These results support a previously unrecognized genetic cell context-dependent role for ZEB1 and suggest that NOTCH1 may be a useful target for treating resistance to EGFR inhibitors, especially EMT-driven resistance.

  • the microRNA 200 zeb1 axis regulates ecm dependent β1 integrin fak signaling cancer cell invasion and metastasis through crkl
    Scientific Reports, 2016
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Zain H. Rizvi, Kathryn A. Gold, Dong Hoon Shin, Chad J. Creighton, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    Tumor cell metastasis is a complex process that has been mechanistically linked to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The double-negative feedback loop between the microRNA-200 family and the Zeb1 transcriptional repressor is a master EMT regulator, but there is incomplete understanding of how miR-200 suppresses invasion. Our recent efforts have focused on the tumor cell-matrix interactions essential to tumor cell activation. Herein we utilized both our Kras/p53 mutant mouse model and human lung cancer cell lines to demonstrate that upon miR-200 loss integrin β1-collagen I interactions drive 3D in vitro migration/invasion and in vivo metastases. Zeb1-dependent EMT enhances tumor cell responsiveness to the ECM composition and activates FAK/Src pathway signaling by de-repression of the direct miR-200 target, CRKL. We demonstrate that CRKL serves as an adaptor molecule to facilitate focal adhesion formation, mediates outside-in signaling through Itgβ1 to drive cell invasion, and inside-out signaling that maintains tumor cell-matrix contacts required for cell invasion. Importantly, CRKL levels in pan-cancer TCGA analyses were predictive of survival and CRKL knockdown suppressed experimental metastases in vivo without affecting primary tumor growth. Our findings highlight the critical ECM-tumor cell interactions regulated by miR-200/Zeb1-dependent EMT that activate intracellular signaling pathways responsible for tumor cell invasion and metastasis.

  • The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent β1-integrin/FAK signaling, cancer cell invasion and metastasis through CRKL.
    Scientific reports, 2016
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Zain H. Rizvi, Kathryn A. Gold, Dong Hoon Shin, Chad J. Creighton, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    Tumor cell metastasis is a complex process that has been mechanistically linked to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The double-negative feedback loop between the microRNA-200 family and the Zeb1 transcriptional repressor is a master EMT regulator, but there is incomplete understanding of how miR-200 suppresses invasion. Our recent efforts have focused on the tumor cell-matrix interactions essential to tumor cell activation. Herein we utilized both our Kras/p53 mutant mouse model and human lung cancer cell lines to demonstrate that upon miR-200 loss integrin β1-collagen I interactions drive 3D in vitro migration/invasion and in vivo metastases. Zeb1-dependent EMT enhances tumor cell responsiveness to the ECM composition and activates FAK/Src pathway signaling by de-repression of the direct miR-200 target, CRKL. We demonstrate that CRKL serves as an adaptor molecule to facilitate focal adhesion formation, mediates outside-in signaling through Itgβ1 to drive cell invasion, and inside-out signaling that maintains tumor cell-matrix contacts required for cell invasion. Importantly, CRKL levels in pan-cancer TCGA analyses were predictive of survival and CRKL knockdown suppressed experimental metastases in vivo without affecting primary tumor growth. Our findings highlight the critical ECM-tumor cell interactions regulated by miR-200/Zeb1-dependent EMT that activate intracellular signaling pathways responsible for tumor cell invasion and metastasis.

  • Abstract B44: The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent Src signaling, cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion
    Cell Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment, 2015
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    The microRNA-200 family (miR-200) has been shown to be a master regulator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), partially through a double-negative feedback loop with the transcription repressor Zeb1, allowing cells to acquire an invasive and metastatic phenotype. Using our mutant Kras and p53 murine model of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, we are investigating the role of the Zeb1/miR-200 axis in regulating cytoskeletal reorganization, a characteristic requirement of cell motility and invasion. Functional assays demonstrated differential actin reorganization within cell lines with different miR-200 levels based upon the extracellular matrix composition, leading us to hypothesize that miR-200 regulates the activation of signaling pathways that mediate a pro-invasive cytoskeletal reorganization. Based upon the importance of cell-matrix interactions in producing cellular activation we identified the Src pathway as a critical mediator of invasion upon miR-200 repression in murine and human lung cancer cell lines. Pharmacologic inhibition of Src significantly reduces in vitro cell migration and invasion in Boyden chamber assays and in 3D cell cultures, which can be mimicked using Integrin β1 blockade. Biochemical analysis of this Src inhibition reveals a significant reduction in the phosphorylated FAK and cortactin levels, two downstream targets of Src. TGFβ stimulation is a strong EMT inducer, producing miR-200 repression and Src activation in our models, which can be blocked biochemically using Src inhibitors, with associated phenotypic changes in 2D and 3D cultures. This data suggests that miR-200 regulates the cell-matrix contact (e.g. integrins), acting through the Src pathway and modulating central players in actin dynamics to promote actin reorganization and invasion. Citation Format: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons. The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent Src signaling, cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion. [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Cellular Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment; 2014 Feb 26-Mar 1; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B44. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.CHTME14-B44

  • abstract b44 the microRNA 200 zeb1 axis regulates ecm dependent src signaling cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion
    Cancer Research, 2015
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    The microRNA-200 family (miR-200) has been shown to be a master regulator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), partially through a double-negative feedback loop with the transcription repressor Zeb1, allowing cells to acquire an invasive and metastatic phenotype. Using our mutant Kras and p53 murine model of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, we are investigating the role of the Zeb1/miR-200 axis in regulating cytoskeletal reorganization, a characteristic requirement of cell motility and invasion. Functional assays demonstrated differential actin reorganization within cell lines with different miR-200 levels based upon the extracellular matrix composition, leading us to hypothesize that miR-200 regulates the activation of signaling pathways that mediate a pro-invasive cytoskeletal reorganization. Based upon the importance of cell-matrix interactions in producing cellular activation we identified the Src pathway as a critical mediator of invasion upon miR-200 repression in murine and human lung cancer cell lines. Pharmacologic inhibition of Src significantly reduces in vitro cell migration and invasion in Boyden chamber assays and in 3D cell cultures, which can be mimicked using Integrin β1 blockade. Biochemical analysis of this Src inhibition reveals a significant reduction in the phosphorylated FAK and cortactin levels, two downstream targets of Src. TGFβ stimulation is a strong EMT inducer, producing miR-200 repression and Src activation in our models, which can be blocked biochemically using Src inhibitors, with associated phenotypic changes in 2D and 3D cultures. This data suggests that miR-200 regulates the cell-matrix contact (e.g. integrins), acting through the Src pathway and modulating central players in actin dynamics to promote actin reorganization and invasion. Citation Format: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons. The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent Src signaling, cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion. [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Cellular Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment; 2014 Feb 26-Mar 1; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B44. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.CHTME14-B44

Young-ho Ahn - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Prognostic Role of the microRNA-200 Family in Various Carcinomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    BioMed research international, 2017
    Co-Authors: Jung Soo Lee, Young-ho Ahn, Hye Sung Won, Der Sheng Sun, Yeo Hyung Kim
    Abstract:

    Background/Aims. The miRNA-200 (miR-200) family may act as key inhibitors of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. However, the potential prognostic value of miR-200s in various human malignancies remains controversial. This meta-analysis analyzed the associations between miR-200 levels and survival outcomes in a variety of tumors. Methods. Eligible published studies were identified by searching the Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, and Google scholar databases. Patient clinical data were pooled, and pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to calculate the strength of this association. Results. The pooled HRs suggested that high tissue expression of miR-200 family members was associated with better survival (overall survival [OS]: HR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.91; progression-free survival [PFS]: HR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.52–0.76) in thirty-four eligible articles. In contrast, higher expression of circulating miR-200 members was significantly associated with poor clinical outcome (OS, HR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.15–2.46; PFS, HR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.68–4.07). Conclusion. The results from this meta-analysis suggest that miR-200 family members are potential prognostic biomarkers in patients with various carcinomas. To apply these findings in the clinic, large prospective studies are needed to validate the prognostic values of miR-200s in individual cancer types.

  • BMP4 depletion by miR-200 inhibits tumorigenesis and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells
    Molecular cancer, 2015
    Co-Authors: Jeong Seon Kim, Jonathan M. Kurie, Young-ho Ahn
    Abstract:

    Background microRNA-200 (miR-200) suppresses the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of various cancer cells, including lung adenocarcinoma cells. We found that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) was decreased in miR-200-overexpressing cells and epithelial-like lung cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanism and role of BMP4 depletion by miR-200 in murine lung adenocarcinoma cells.

  • Metastasis is regulated via microRNA-200/ZEB1 axis control of tumour cell PD-L1 expression and intratumoral immunosuppression
    Nature communications, 2014
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Don L. Gibbons, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Maria Angelica Cortez, Xuejun Zhang, David W. Dwyer, Wei Lin
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced cancer, but its biological basis has remained obscure. We demonstrate here a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD8(+) TIL immunosuppression, two key drivers of cancer progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumour cells, leading to CD8(+) T-cell immunosuppression and metastasis. These findings are supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T-cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists.

  • metastasis is regulated via microRNA 200 zeb1 axis control of tumour cell pd l1 expression and intratumoral immunosuppression
    Nature Communications, 2014
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Don L. Gibbons, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Maria Angelica Cortez, Xuejun Zhang, David W. Dwyer, Wei Lin
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced cancer, but its biological basis has remained obscure. We demonstrate here a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD8(+) TIL immunosuppression, two key drivers of cancer progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumour cells, leading to CD8(+) T-cell immunosuppression and metastasis. These findings are supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T-cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists.

  • Regulation of tumor cell PD-L1 expression by microRNA-200 and control of lung cancer metastasis.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Don L. Gibbons, Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Maria Angelica Cortez, Wei Lin, Jonathon D. Roybal
    Abstract:

    8063 Background: Tumor cell regulation of the activity of diverse inflammatory cells creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors tumor growth and metastasis. However, the mechanistic ...

Wei Lin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Metastasis is regulated via microRNA-200/ZEB1 axis control of tumour cell PD-L1 expression and intratumoral immunosuppression
    Nature communications, 2014
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Don L. Gibbons, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Maria Angelica Cortez, Xuejun Zhang, David W. Dwyer, Wei Lin
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced cancer, but its biological basis has remained obscure. We demonstrate here a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD8(+) TIL immunosuppression, two key drivers of cancer progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumour cells, leading to CD8(+) T-cell immunosuppression and metastasis. These findings are supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T-cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists.

  • metastasis is regulated via microRNA 200 zeb1 axis control of tumour cell pd l1 expression and intratumoral immunosuppression
    Nature Communications, 2014
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Don L. Gibbons, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Maria Angelica Cortez, Xuejun Zhang, David W. Dwyer, Wei Lin
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced cancer, but its biological basis has remained obscure. We demonstrate here a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD8(+) TIL immunosuppression, two key drivers of cancer progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumour cells, leading to CD8(+) T-cell immunosuppression and metastasis. These findings are supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T-cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists.

  • Regulation of tumor cell PD-L1 expression by microRNA-200 and control of lung cancer metastasis.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Don L. Gibbons, Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Maria Angelica Cortez, Wei Lin, Jonathon D. Roybal
    Abstract:

    8063 Background: Tumor cell regulation of the activity of diverse inflammatory cells creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors tumor growth and metastasis. However, the mechanistic ...

  • Use of a murine model of NSCLC to evaluate the role of the microRNA-200 family in regulating EMT and metastasis
    Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Don L. Gibbons, Wei Lin, Chad J. Creighton, S. Zhang, Guillermina Lozano, Jonathan M. Kurie
    Abstract:

    11006 Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, primarily due to metastatic disease. Unfortunately, we lack a clear understanding of the molecular and cellular basis for lung cancer metastasis, partly because the experimental study is hampered by lack of good models. Methods/Results: To address this deficiency we have developed an experimental murine model of metastatic NSCLC using cell lines derived from a genetic mouse model of human lung adenocarcinoma that develops metastatic disease owing to the expression of K-rasG12D and p53R172H. An expression signature derived from the spontaneous metastatic tumors in these animals is prognostic when applied to a large series of early-stage patient tumors, illustrating that the model recapitulates features of the human disease. Combined mRNA and microRNA profiling of highly metastatic subcutaneous tumors versus non-metastatic tumors revealed a signature for the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (including in...

Limo Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Abstract B67: A big role in tumor immune microenvironment of a small non-coding RNA: microRNA-200
    Tumor Microenvironment, 2015
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Sangeeta Goswami, Lauren Averett Byers, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Ignacio I. Wistuba
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced epithelial tumors, but its biological basis has remained obscure. In addition, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment has produced encouraging clinical responses, but it is still unclear which patients are likely to benefit. Thus, successful therapeutic translation will require a thorough understanding of mechanisms of treatment resistance and predictive biomarkers to select patients. Using multiple lung cancer mouse models (spontaneous and transplant models), we demonstrate a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and intra-tumoral CD8+ T cell immunosuppression, two key drivers of malignant tumor progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1, a checkpoint inhibitor of CD8+ T cell immunity. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumor cells, leading to CD8+TIL dysfunction and metastasis. These findings were further supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) lung adenocarcinoma dataset and the Profiling of Resistance patterns and Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in Evaluation of Cancers of the Thorax (PROSPECT) project at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and they suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists. Our data also suggest that EMT represents an important biomarker to select the patients who may benefit from immune checkpoint blockade agents and other immunotherapies in lung cancer and possibly a broader range of other cancers. Citation Format: Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Xiaohui Yi, Lauren Byers, Lixia Diao, Jonathon Roybal, Christin Ungewiss, David Peng, Jing Wang, Ignacio Wistuba, Lieping Chen, Stephen Ullrich, John Heymach, Jonathan Kurie, Xiao-Feng Qin, Don Gibbons. A big role in tumor immune microenvironment of a small non-coding RNA: microRNA-200. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B67.

  • Metastasis is regulated via microRNA-200/ZEB1 axis control of tumour cell PD-L1 expression and intratumoral immunosuppression
    Nature communications, 2014
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Don L. Gibbons, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Maria Angelica Cortez, Xuejun Zhang, David W. Dwyer, Wei Lin
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced cancer, but its biological basis has remained obscure. We demonstrate here a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD8(+) TIL immunosuppression, two key drivers of cancer progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumour cells, leading to CD8(+) T-cell immunosuppression and metastasis. These findings are supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T-cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists.

  • metastasis is regulated via microRNA 200 zeb1 axis control of tumour cell pd l1 expression and intratumoral immunosuppression
    Nature Communications, 2014
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Don L. Gibbons, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Maria Angelica Cortez, Xuejun Zhang, David W. Dwyer, Wei Lin
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced cancer, but its biological basis has remained obscure. We demonstrate here a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD8(+) TIL immunosuppression, two key drivers of cancer progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumour cells, leading to CD8(+) T-cell immunosuppression and metastasis. These findings are supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T-cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists.

  • Regulation of tumor cell PD-L1 expression by microRNA-200 and control of lung cancer metastasis.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Don L. Gibbons, Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Maria Angelica Cortez, Wei Lin, Jonathon D. Roybal
    Abstract:

    8063 Background: Tumor cell regulation of the activity of diverse inflammatory cells creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors tumor growth and metastasis. However, the mechanistic ...

  • Abstract A21: microRNA-200 regulates tumor cell PD-L1 expression to control lung cancer metastasis.
    Clinical Cancer Research, 2014
    Co-Authors: Don L. Gibbons, Jonathon D. Roybal, Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-ho Ahn, Lauren Averett Byers, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Angelica Cortez, James Welsh
    Abstract:

    Background: Tumor cell regulation of the recruitment and activity of diverse inflammatory cells creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors both tumor growth and metastasis. However, the mechanistic basis of how tumor cells trigger intra-tumoral immunosuppression have not been fully defined. Here we show that metastasis-prone lung adenocarcinoma cells suppress the proliferation and activity of intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells through a PD-L1 dependent mechanism and that PD-L1 expression is regulated by microRNA-200 (miR-200), a known mediator of tumor cell EMT. Results: Analysis of patient tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (230 adenocarcinomas) and a large MDACC cohort of resected tumors (N>150) demonstrated that tumors with a mesenchymal gene expression signature had repression of miR-200 family expression and higher levels of PD-L1 expression. These findings were confirmed experimentally in human and murine NSCLC cell lines. In vivo experiments with a Kras/p53 mutant mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma showed that decreased miR-200 led to increased expression of PD-L1 levels on tumor cells, causing profound CD8+ T cell suppression. Upon suppression of CD8+ T cell activity tumors acquired a growth advantage and metastatic capability. Confirmation of these results with the LLC model in PD-L1 knockout mice also demonstrated that PD-L1 expression on the tumor cells, rather than other cells in the tumor microenvironment, was critical to defining tumor immunity and metastastic ability. The metastases could be suppressed by genetic and pharmacologic blockade of PD-L1. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate a novel biological role for miR-200 in cancer cells by simultaneous control of the cell-intrinsic EMT program and the cell-non-autonomous PD-L1-mediated immune evasion. These findings support further investigation into the mechanistic effects of miR-200 on metastasis and the use of specific EMT-related biomarkers to select immunomodulatory therapies. Citation Format: Don L. Gibbons, Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Young-Ho Ahn, Lauren A. Byers, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Angelica Cortez, Jonathon Roybal, James Welsh, Xuejun Zhang, David Dwyer, Xiaohui Yi, Chen Lieping, Ignacio Wistuba, John V. Heymach, Jonathan M. Kurie, F. Xiao-Feng Qin. microRNA-200 regulates tumor cell PD-L1 expression to control lung cancer metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer; 2014 Jan 6-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2014;20(2Suppl):Abstract nr A21.

Jonathon D. Roybal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent β1-integrin/FAK signaling, cancer cell invasion and metastasis through CRKL.
    Scientific reports, 2016
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Zain H. Rizvi, Kathryn A. Gold, Dong Hoon Shin, Chad J. Creighton, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    Tumor cell metastasis is a complex process that has been mechanistically linked to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The double-negative feedback loop between the microRNA-200 family and the Zeb1 transcriptional repressor is a master EMT regulator, but there is incomplete understanding of how miR-200 suppresses invasion. Our recent efforts have focused on the tumor cell-matrix interactions essential to tumor cell activation. Herein we utilized both our Kras/p53 mutant mouse model and human lung cancer cell lines to demonstrate that upon miR-200 loss integrin β1-collagen I interactions drive 3D in vitro migration/invasion and in vivo metastases. Zeb1-dependent EMT enhances tumor cell responsiveness to the ECM composition and activates FAK/Src pathway signaling by de-repression of the direct miR-200 target, CRKL. We demonstrate that CRKL serves as an adaptor molecule to facilitate focal adhesion formation, mediates outside-in signaling through Itgβ1 to drive cell invasion, and inside-out signaling that maintains tumor cell-matrix contacts required for cell invasion. Importantly, CRKL levels in pan-cancer TCGA analyses were predictive of survival and CRKL knockdown suppressed experimental metastases in vivo without affecting primary tumor growth. Our findings highlight the critical ECM-tumor cell interactions regulated by miR-200/Zeb1-dependent EMT that activate intracellular signaling pathways responsible for tumor cell invasion and metastasis.

  • the microRNA 200 zeb1 axis regulates ecm dependent β1 integrin fak signaling cancer cell invasion and metastasis through crkl
    Scientific Reports, 2016
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Zain H. Rizvi, Kathryn A. Gold, Dong Hoon Shin, Chad J. Creighton, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    Tumor cell metastasis is a complex process that has been mechanistically linked to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The double-negative feedback loop between the microRNA-200 family and the Zeb1 transcriptional repressor is a master EMT regulator, but there is incomplete understanding of how miR-200 suppresses invasion. Our recent efforts have focused on the tumor cell-matrix interactions essential to tumor cell activation. Herein we utilized both our Kras/p53 mutant mouse model and human lung cancer cell lines to demonstrate that upon miR-200 loss integrin β1-collagen I interactions drive 3D in vitro migration/invasion and in vivo metastases. Zeb1-dependent EMT enhances tumor cell responsiveness to the ECM composition and activates FAK/Src pathway signaling by de-repression of the direct miR-200 target, CRKL. We demonstrate that CRKL serves as an adaptor molecule to facilitate focal adhesion formation, mediates outside-in signaling through Itgβ1 to drive cell invasion, and inside-out signaling that maintains tumor cell-matrix contacts required for cell invasion. Importantly, CRKL levels in pan-cancer TCGA analyses were predictive of survival and CRKL knockdown suppressed experimental metastases in vivo without affecting primary tumor growth. Our findings highlight the critical ECM-tumor cell interactions regulated by miR-200/Zeb1-dependent EMT that activate intracellular signaling pathways responsible for tumor cell invasion and metastasis.

  • Abstract B67: A big role in tumor immune microenvironment of a small non-coding RNA: microRNA-200
    Tumor Microenvironment, 2015
    Co-Authors: Limo Chen, Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Sangeeta Goswami, Lauren Averett Byers, Lixia Diao, Jing Wang, Ignacio I. Wistuba
    Abstract:

    Immunosuppression of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced epithelial tumors, but its biological basis has remained obscure. In addition, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment has produced encouraging clinical responses, but it is still unclear which patients are likely to benefit. Thus, successful therapeutic translation will require a thorough understanding of mechanisms of treatment resistance and predictive biomarkers to select patients. Using multiple lung cancer mouse models (spontaneous and transplant models), we demonstrate a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and intra-tumoral CD8+ T cell immunosuppression, two key drivers of malignant tumor progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1, a checkpoint inhibitor of CD8+ T cell immunity. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumor cells, leading to CD8+TIL dysfunction and metastasis. These findings were further supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) lung adenocarcinoma dataset and the Profiling of Resistance patterns and Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in Evaluation of Cancers of the Thorax (PROSPECT) project at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and they suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists. Our data also suggest that EMT represents an important biomarker to select the patients who may benefit from immune checkpoint blockade agents and other immunotherapies in lung cancer and possibly a broader range of other cancers. Citation Format: Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Xiaohui Yi, Lauren Byers, Lixia Diao, Jonathon Roybal, Christin Ungewiss, David Peng, Jing Wang, Ignacio Wistuba, Lieping Chen, Stephen Ullrich, John Heymach, Jonathan Kurie, Xiao-Feng Qin, Don Gibbons. A big role in tumor immune microenvironment of a small non-coding RNA: microRNA-200. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B67.

  • Abstract B44: The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent Src signaling, cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion
    Cell Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment, 2015
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    The microRNA-200 family (miR-200) has been shown to be a master regulator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), partially through a double-negative feedback loop with the transcription repressor Zeb1, allowing cells to acquire an invasive and metastatic phenotype. Using our mutant Kras and p53 murine model of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, we are investigating the role of the Zeb1/miR-200 axis in regulating cytoskeletal reorganization, a characteristic requirement of cell motility and invasion. Functional assays demonstrated differential actin reorganization within cell lines with different miR-200 levels based upon the extracellular matrix composition, leading us to hypothesize that miR-200 regulates the activation of signaling pathways that mediate a pro-invasive cytoskeletal reorganization. Based upon the importance of cell-matrix interactions in producing cellular activation we identified the Src pathway as a critical mediator of invasion upon miR-200 repression in murine and human lung cancer cell lines. Pharmacologic inhibition of Src significantly reduces in vitro cell migration and invasion in Boyden chamber assays and in 3D cell cultures, which can be mimicked using Integrin β1 blockade. Biochemical analysis of this Src inhibition reveals a significant reduction in the phosphorylated FAK and cortactin levels, two downstream targets of Src. TGFβ stimulation is a strong EMT inducer, producing miR-200 repression and Src activation in our models, which can be blocked biochemically using Src inhibitors, with associated phenotypic changes in 2D and 3D cultures. This data suggests that miR-200 regulates the cell-matrix contact (e.g. integrins), acting through the Src pathway and modulating central players in actin dynamics to promote actin reorganization and invasion. Citation Format: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons. The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent Src signaling, cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion. [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Cellular Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment; 2014 Feb 26-Mar 1; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B44. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.CHTME14-B44

  • abstract b44 the microRNA 200 zeb1 axis regulates ecm dependent src signaling cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion
    Cancer Research, 2015
    Co-Authors: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons
    Abstract:

    The microRNA-200 family (miR-200) has been shown to be a master regulator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), partially through a double-negative feedback loop with the transcription repressor Zeb1, allowing cells to acquire an invasive and metastatic phenotype. Using our mutant Kras and p53 murine model of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, we are investigating the role of the Zeb1/miR-200 axis in regulating cytoskeletal reorganization, a characteristic requirement of cell motility and invasion. Functional assays demonstrated differential actin reorganization within cell lines with different miR-200 levels based upon the extracellular matrix composition, leading us to hypothesize that miR-200 regulates the activation of signaling pathways that mediate a pro-invasive cytoskeletal reorganization. Based upon the importance of cell-matrix interactions in producing cellular activation we identified the Src pathway as a critical mediator of invasion upon miR-200 repression in murine and human lung cancer cell lines. Pharmacologic inhibition of Src significantly reduces in vitro cell migration and invasion in Boyden chamber assays and in 3D cell cultures, which can be mimicked using Integrin β1 blockade. Biochemical analysis of this Src inhibition reveals a significant reduction in the phosphorylated FAK and cortactin levels, two downstream targets of Src. TGFβ stimulation is a strong EMT inducer, producing miR-200 repression and Src activation in our models, which can be blocked biochemically using Src inhibitors, with associated phenotypic changes in 2D and 3D cultures. This data suggests that miR-200 regulates the cell-matrix contact (e.g. integrins), acting through the Src pathway and modulating central players in actin dynamics to promote actin reorganization and invasion. Citation Format: Christin Ungewiss, Jonathon D. Roybal, David H. Peng, Don L. Gibbons. The microRNA-200/Zeb1 axis regulates ECM-dependent Src signaling, cytoskeletal changes and cancer cell invasion. [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Cellular Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment; 2014 Feb 26-Mar 1; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B44. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.CHTME14-B44