Dosage-Dependent Regulation of Pancreatic Cancer Growth and Angiogenesis by Hedgehog Signaling
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Pancreatic cancer, a hypovascular and highly desmoplastic cancer, is characterized by tumor expression of Hedgehog (HH) ligands that signal to fibroblasts in the surrounding stroma that in turn promote tumor survival and growth. However, the mechanisms and consequences of stromal HH pathway activation are not well understood. Here, we show that the HH coreceptors GAS1, BOC, and CDON are expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts. Deletion of two coreceptors (Gas1 and Boc) in fibroblasts reduces HH responsiveness. Strikingly, these fibroblasts promote greater tumor growth in vivo that correlates with increased tumor-associated vascularity. In contrast, deletion of all three coreceptors (Gas1, Boc, and Cdon) results in the near complete abrogation of HH signaling and a corresponding failure to promote tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Collectively, these data identify a role for HH dosage in pancreatic cancer promotion and may explain the clinical failure of HH pathway blockade as a therapeutic approach in pancreatic cancer.
Source: Cell Reports
Institution: University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,620
Awards: University of Michigan Center for Gastrointestinal Research, Mechanisms of Pancreatic Inflammation, Tissue Repair and Carcinogenesis, Cellular and Molecular Biology at Michigan, Novel Hedgehog Receptors As Therapeutic Targets In Pancreatic Cancer, PTCH2-Mediated Antagonism of Hedgehog Signaling During Vertebrate Neural Patterni, Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, Training in Basic and Translational Digestive Sciences
OpenAlex ID: W2076144924