Nils Cordes

β1 Integrin/FAK/cortactin signaling is essential for human head and neck cancer resistance to radiotherapy

Integrin signaling critically contributes to the progression, growth, and therapy resistance of malignant tumors. Here, we show that targeting of β₁ integrins with inhibitory antibodies enhances the sensitivity to ionizing radiation and delays the growth of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in 3D cell culture and in xenografted mice. Mechanistically, dephosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) upon inhibition of β₁ integrin resulted in dissociation of a FAK/cortactin protein complex. This, in turn, downregulated JNK signaling and induced cell rounding, leading to radiosensitization. Thus, these findings suggest that robust and selective pharmacological targeting of β₁ integrins may provide therapeutic benefit to overcome tumor cell resistance to radiotherapy.

Three-Dimensional Cell Growth Confers Radioresistance by Chromatin Density Modification

Cell shape and architecture are determined by cell-extracellular matrix interactions and have profound effects on cellular behavior, chromatin condensation, and tumor cell resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. To evaluate the role of chromatin condensation for radiation cell survival, tumor cells grown in three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures as xenografts and monolayer cell cultures were compared. Here, we show that increased levels of heterochromatin in 3D cell cultures characterized by histone H3 deacetylation and induced heterochromatin protein 1alpha expression result in increased radiation survival and reduced numbers of DNA double strand breaks (DSB) and lethal chromosome aberrations. Intriguingly, euchromatin to heterochromatin-associated DSBs were equally distributed in irradiated 3D cell cultures and xenograft tumors, whereas irradiated monolayer cultures showed a 2:1 euchromatin to heterochromatin DSB distribution. Depletion of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1/2/4 or application of the class I/II pharmacologic HDAC inhibitor LBH589 induced moderate or strong chromatin decondensation, respectively, which was translated into cell line-dependent radiosensitization and, in case of LBH589, into an increased number of DSBs. Neither growth conditions nor HDAC modifications significantly affected the radiation-induced phosphorylation of the important DNA repair protein ataxia telangiectasia mutated. Our data show an interrelation between cell morphology and cellular radiosensitivity essentially based on chromatin organization. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which chromatin structure influences the processing of radiation-induced DNA lesions is of high relevance for normal tissue protection and optimization of cancer therapy.

Cell Adhesion-Mediated Radioresistance (CAM-RR) Extracellular Matrix-Dependent Improvement of Cell Survival in Human Tumor and Normal Cells in Vitro

Background: Cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) contact is thought to have great impact on cellular mechanisms resulting in increased cell survival upon exposure to ionizing radiation. Several human tumor cell lines and normal human fibroblastic cell strains of different origin, all of them expressing the wide-spread and important integrin subunit β1, were irradiated, and clonogenic cell survival, β1-integrin cell surface expression, and adhesive functionality were investigated. Material and Methods: Human tumor cell lines A172 (glioblastoma), PATU8902 (pancreas carcinoma), SKMES1 (lung carcinoma), A549 (lung carcinoma), and IPC298 (melanoma) as well as normal human skin (HSF1) and lung fibroblasts (CCD32) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were irradiated with 0–8 Gy. Besides colony formation assays, β1-integrin cell surface expression by flow cytometry and adhesive functionality by adhesion assays were analyzed. Results: All cell lines showed improved clonogenic survival after irradiation in the presence of fibronectin as compared to plastic. Irradiated cells exhibited a significant, dose-dependent increase in β1-integrin cell surface expression following irradiation. As a parameter of the adhesive functionality of the β1-integrin, a radiation-dependent elevation of cell adhesion to fibronectin in comparison with adhesion to plastic was demonstrated. Conclusion: The in vitro cellular radiosensitivity is highly influenced by fibronectin according to the phenomenon of cell adhesion-mediated radioresistance. Additionally, our emerging data question the results of former and current in vitro cytotoxicity studies performed in the absence of an ECM. These findings might also be important for the understanding of malignant transformation, anchorage-independent cell growth, optimization of radiotherapeutic regimes and the prevention of normal tissue side effects on the basis of experimental radiobiological data.Hintergrund: Es wird angenommen, dass Zellkontakt zu einer extrazellulären Matrix zelluläre Mechanismen stark beeinflusst, die u.a. zu einem verbesserten Zellüberleben nach Bestrahlung führen können. Humane Tumorzelllinien und Fibroblastenzellstämme, von denen alle die weit verbreitete und wichtige Integrin-Untereinheit β1 exprimieren, wurden bestrahlt und das klonogene Überleben, die β1-Integrin-Oberflächenexpression und die adhäsive Funktion des Rezeptors untersucht. Material und Methodik: Die humanen Tumorzelllinien A172 (Glioblastom), PATU8902 (Pankreaskarzinom), SKMES1 (Bronchialkarzinom), A549 (Bronchialkarzinom) und IPC298 (Melanom) sowie die normalen Haut- (HSF1) und Lungenfibroblasten (CCD32) sowie humane Keratinozyten (HaCaT) wurden mit 0–8 Gy bestrahlt. Neben Koloniebildungsassays wurden die β1-Integrin-Oberflächenexpression mittels Flusszytometrie und die Rezeptorfunktionalität in Adhäsionsassays analysiert. Ergebnisse: Fibronektin führte im Vergleich zu Plastik in allen getesteten Zellen zu einem gesteigerten Überleben nach Bestrahlung. In bestrahlten Zellen konnte ein signifikanter und dosisabhängiger Anstieg der β1-Integrin-Oberflächenexpression beobachtet werden. Im Adhäsionstest zeigte sich parallel dazu eine bestrahlungsbedingte Zunahme der Zelladhäsion an Fibronektin. Schlussfolgerung: Die zelluläre Radiosensibilität in vitro wird stark durch Fibronektin im Sinne einer zelladhäsionsbedingten Radioresistenz beeinflusst. Des Weiteren stellen unsere Daten früher und heute in Abwesenheit einer extrazellulären Matrix durchgeführte In-vitro-Zytotoxizitätsstudien in Frage. Die hier gewonnenen Erkenntnisse könnten darüber hinaus für das Verständnis der malignen Transformation, des adhäsionsunabhängigen Zellwachstums, der Optimierung radiotherapeutischer Konzepte und der Prävention von Normalgewebsreaktionen auf der Basis experimenteller radiobiologischer Daten von Interesse sein.

Irradiation differentially affects substratum-dependent survival, adhesion, and invasion of glioblastoma cell lines

Effects of ionising radiation on extracellular matrix (ECM)-modulated cell survival and on adhesion and invasion are not well understood. In particular, the aggressiveness of glioblastoma multiforme has been associated with tumour cell invasion into adjacent normal brain tissue. To examine these effects in more depth, four human glioblastoma cell lines (A-172, U-138, LN-229 and LN-18) were irradiated on fibronectin (FN), Matrigel, BSA or polystyrene. Major findings of this study include a significantly increased survival of irradiated A-172 but not of irradiated U-138, LN-229, and LN-18 cells on FN or Matrigel compared to cells irradiated on polystyrene or BSA. Irradiation induced a dose-dependent increase in functional β1- and β3-integrins in all four glioma cell lines. This integrin induction caused improved cell adhesion to FN or Matrigel. In contrast to U-138, LN-229 and LN-18 cells, irradiation strongly impaired A-172 cell invasion. Invasion of all cell lines was inhibited by anti-integrin antibodies, the disintegrin echistatin and the MMP-2/-9 inhibitor III. Additionally, β1- and β3-integrins modulated basal and radiation-altered gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2. Tested glioblastoma cell lines showed a differential cellular susceptibility to FN or Matrigel which affected the cellular radiosensitivity. Three out of four glioma cell lines demonstrated a combination of a substratum-independent survival after irradiation and an invasive potential which was not affected by irradiation. β1- and β3-integrins were identified to play a substantial, regulatory role in survival, adhesion, invasion and MMP-2 activity. Detailed insights into radioresistance and invasion processes might offer new therapeutic strategies to enhance cell killing of lethal high-grade astrocytoma.

Ionizing radiation induces up-regulation of functional beta1-integrin in human lung tumour cell lines in vitro.

Purpose : Cell-matrix interactions are in part mediated through the β 1-integrin pathway regulating cell survival, proliferation, adhesion and migration. This study was performed to elucidate alterations of expression of the β 1-integrin and its co-localized protein kinase, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), after exposure to ionizing radiation in two lung carcinoma cell lines in the presence or absence of different β 1-integrin-dependent matrix proteins. Materials and methods : Exponentially growing A549 and SKMES1 cells grown on fibronectin, laminin, BSA or plastic were exposed to 2 Gy or 6 Gy. Besides colony formation assays (0.5-8 Gy) and immediate plating experiments, flow cytometry (for β 1-integrin) and immunoblotting (for β 1-integrin and ILK) were carried out to analyze the protein expression. The localization of both proteins plus filamentous (f-) actin was further examined by immunofluorescence staining and laser confocal scanning microscopy. Functionality of the β 1 receptor subunit after irradiation was investigated in adhesion assays. Results : A549 and SKMES1 cells grown on fibronectin or laminin demonstrated a significant increase in cell survival after irradiation compared to cells grown on BSA or plastic. Immediate plating of cells after irradiation on fibronectin did not show an improved survival. Flow cytometric and Western blot data showed a dose- and matrix-dependent induction of β 1-integrin and ILK expression after irradiation within 48 h. Adhesion to fibronectin or laminin compared to BSA or plastic was increased by 10-fold after irradiation, demonstrating these specific cell surface receptors to be functional. The staining of β 1-integrin and ILK in A549 cells confirmed the radiation-induced up-regulation of both proteins. Additionally, β 1-integrin and ILK co-localized with accumulated actin fibers at the cytoplasmic face of the cell membrane at confined areas. Conclusions : Ionizing radiation strongly induced the expression of functional β 1-integrin and ILK in the two lung cancer cell lines, A549 and SKMES1, dependent on different matrices used. Additionally, the subcellular localization of both proteins was altered by irradiation, and the individual cellular radiosensitivity was reduced in the presence of an extracellular matrix. On the one hand, this may result in aggravated therapeutic approaches and on the other hand, cells could adhere more strongly in their environment by the increase in functional surface receptor density preventing metastasis. Concerning intravascular located tumour cells, β 1-integrin up-regulation might enable these cells to adhere to the endothelium, which represents a prerequisite for metastatic disease. Identification of such mechanisms will provide considerable insights into the understanding of tumorigenicity and metastatic phenotypes, possibly leading to new, optimized radiochemotherapeutic regimens.

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin modulates radiation-dependent G2 phase arrest involving integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in vitro

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) is thought to confer resistance against cell-damaging agents, that is, drugs and radiation, in tumour and normal cells in vitro. The dependence of cell survival on β1-integrin-linked kinase (ILK), protein kinase Bα/Akt (PKBα/Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity, which participate in β1-integrin signalling and cell cycle progression was investigated as a function of radiation exposure. Colony-formation assays on polystyrene, fibronectin (FN), laminin (LA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) or poly-L-lysine (poly-L) (0–8 Gy), kinase assays, flow cytometric DNA and annexin-V analysis and immunoblotting were performed in nonirradiated and irradiated (2 or 6 Gy) A549 human lung cancer cells and CCD32 normal human lung fibroblasts. Cell contact to FN in contrast to polystyrene elevated basal ILK, PKBα/Akt and GSK-3β kinase activities in A549 and CCD32 cells, as well as the basal amount of A549 G2 phase cells. Irradiation on FN or LA as compared to polystyrene, BSA or poly-L significantly improved cell survival. Following irradiation, kinase activities were stimulated strongly on polystyrene but showed to be less prominent on FN, which was because of the FN-related basal induction. Following irradiation, FN compared to polystyrene enlarged and prolonged G2 arrest in both the cell lines. For the analysis of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-K) dependence of protein kinases and cell cycle transition, the PI3-K inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin were used showing decreased kinase activities, antiproliferative and radiation-dependent G2 accumulation-abrogating effects accompanied by downregulation of cyclin D1 and phospho-pRb in cells attached to polystyrene. Fibronectin partly abrogated these effects PI3-K-independently. These findings suggest a novel pathway that makes direct phosphorylation of GSK-3β by ILK feasible after irradiation. Conclusively, the data indicate that ILK, PKBα/Akt and GSK-3β are involved in modulations of the cell cycle after irradiation. These interactions are strictly dependent on ECM components in a cell line-specific manner. Our findings provide molecular insights into mechanisms likely to be important for ECM-dependent cell survival and cellular radioresistance as well as tumour growth.

Radiobiology goes 3D: How ECM and cell morphology impact on cell survival after irradiation

Translational research is essential to find new therapeutic approaches to improve cancer patient survival. Despite extensive efforts in preclinical studies, many novel therapies fail to turn out to be translational from bench to beside. Therefore, new models better reflecting the conditions in vivo are needed to generate results, which transfer reliably into the clinic. The use of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models has provided new emerging insights into the understanding of cellular behavior upon cancer therapies. Interestingly, cells cultured in a 3D extracellular matrix are more radio- and chemoresistant than cells grown under conventional 2D conditions. In this review, we summarize and discuss underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon including integrin-mediated cell-matrix interactions, cell shape, nuclear organization and chromatin structure. Identifying the molecular differences between 2D and 3D cultured cells will offer the opportunity to improve our research and widen our therapeutic possibilities against cancer.

beta1 integrin as a molecular therapeutic target.

Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) is a commonly used modality to treat human cancer. However, dose-limiting toxicity and resistance are major problems to improving treatment efficacy. Increasing evidence has pointed to the critical role of the tumor microenvironment and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM), specifically via β1 integrins, in modifying response to therapy, including radiation. β1 integrins have been implicated in several key processes in malignant progression and metastasis, and more recently in mediating resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation. Evidence is mounting that β1 integrins mediate essential survival signals post-IR, through both canonical and non-canonical integrin signaling pathways that make it a highly promising therapeutic target for several solid malignancies. Conclusions: In this mini-review article, we briefly summarize the most recent emerging findings concerning β1 integrin and radiation survival that indicate the promise of β1 integrin inhibitory agents as radiosensitizers.

Genome-Wide Gene Expression Analysis in Cancer Cells Reveals 3D Growth to Affect ECM and Processes Associated with Cell Adhesion but Not DNA Repair

Cell morphology determines cell behavior, signal transduction, protein-protein interaction, and responsiveness to external stimuli. In cancer, these functions profoundly contribute to resistance mechanisms to radio- and chemotherapy. With regard to this aspect, this study compared the genome wide gene expression in exponentially growing cell lines from different tumor entities, lung carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, under more physiological three-dimensional (3D) versus monolayer cell culture conditions. Whole genome cDNA microarray analysis was accomplished using the Affymetrix HG U133 Plus 2.0 gene chip. Significance analysis of microarray (SAM) and t-test analysis revealed significant changes in gene expression profiles of 3D relative to 2D cell culture conditions. These changes affected the extracellular matrix and were mainly associated with biological processes like tissue development, cell adhesion, immune system and defense response in contrast to terms related to DNA repair, which lacked significant alterations. Selected genes were verified by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Additionally, we show that 3D growth mediates a significant increase in tumor cell radio- and chemoresistance relative to 2D. Our findings show significant gene expression differences between 3D and 2D cell culture systems and indicate that cellular responsiveness to external stress such as ionizing radiation and chemotherapeutics is essentially influenced by differential expression of genes involved in the regulation of integrin signaling, cell shape and cell-cell contact.

PINCH1 regulates Akt1 activation and enhances radioresistance by inhibiting PP1α

Tumor cell resistance to ionizing radiation and chemotherapy is a major obstacle in cancer therapy. One factor contributing to this is integrin-mediated adhesion to ECM. The adapter protein particularly interesting new cysteine-histidine-rich 1 (PINCH1) is recruited to integrin adhesion sites and promotes cell survival, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are not well understood. Here we have shown that PINCH1 is expressed at elevated levels in human tumors of diverse origins relative to normal tissue. Furthermore, PINCH1 promoted cell survival upon treatment with ionizing radiation in vitro and in vivo by perpetuating Akt1 phosphorylation and activity. Mechanistically, PINCH1 was found to directly bind to protein phosphatase 1alpha (PP1alpha) - an Akt1-regulating protein - and inhibit PP1alpha activity, resulting in increased Akt1 phosphorylation and enhanced radioresistance. Thus, our data suggest that targeting signaling molecules such as PINCH1 that function downstream of focal adhesions (the complexes that mediate tumor cell adhesion to ECM) may overcome radio- and chemoresistance, providing new therapeutic approaches for cancer.