MCAM mediates chemoresistance in small-cell lung cancer via the PI3K/AKT/ SOX2 signaling pathway

Satyendra C. Tripathi, Johannes F. Fahrmann, Muge Celiktas, Mitzi Aguilar, Kieren D. Marini, Mohit K. Jolly, Hiroyuki Katayama, Hong Wang, Eunice N. Murage, Jennifer B. Dennison, D. Neil Watkins, Herbert Levine, Edwin J. Ostrin, Ayumu Taguchi, Samir M. Hanash

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite favorable responses to initial therapy, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) relapse occurs within a year and exhibits resistance to multiple drugs. Because of limited accessibility of patient tissues for research purposes, SCLC patient-derived xenografts (PDX) have provided the best opportunity to address this limitation. Here, we sought to identify novel mechanisms involved in SCLC chemoresistance. Through in-depth proteomic profiling, we identified MCAM as a markedly upregulated surface receptor in chemoresistant SCLC cell lines and in chemoresistant PDX compared with matched treatment-naïve tumors. MCAM depletion in chemoresistant cells reduced cell proliferation and reduced the IC50 inhibitory concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro. This MCAM-mediated sensitization to chemotherapy occurred via SOX2-dependent upregulation of mitochondrial 37S ribosomal protein 1/ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) and the PI3/AKT pathway. Metabolomic profiling revealed that MCAM modulated lactate production in chemoresistant cells that exhibit a distinct metabolic phenotype characterized by low oxidative phosphorylation. Our results suggest that MCAM may serve as a novel therapeutic target to overcome chemoresistance in SCLC.

Despite favorable responses to initial therapy, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) relapse occurs within a year and exhibits resistance to multiple drugs. Because of limited accessibility of patient tissues for research purposes, SCLC patient-derived xenografts (PDX) have provided the best opportunity to address this limitation. Here, we sought to identify novel mechanisms involved in SCLC chemoresistance. Through in-depth proteomic profiling, we identified MCAM as a markedly upregulated surface receptor in chemoresistant SCLC cell lines and in chemoresistant PDX compared with matched treatment-naïve tumors. MCAM depletion in chemoresistant cells reduced cell proliferation and reduced the IC50 inhibitory concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro. This MCAM-mediated sensitization to chemotherapy occurred via SOX2-dependent upregulation of mitochondrial 37S ribosomal protein 1/ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) and the PI3/AKT pathway. Metabolomic profiling revealed that MCAM modulated lactate production in chemoresistant cells that exhibit a distinct metabolic phenotype characterized by low oxidative phosphorylation. Our results suggest that MCAM may serve as a novel therapeutic target to overcome chemoresistance in SCLC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4414-4425
Number of pages12
JournalCancer Research
Volume77
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Functional Genomics Core

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