VEGFA activates an epigenetic pathway upregulating ovarian cancer-initiating cells.

TitleVEGFA activates an epigenetic pathway upregulating ovarian cancer-initiating cells.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsJang K, Kim M, Gilbert CA, Simpkins F, Ince TA, Slingerland JM
JournalEMBO Mol Med
Volume9
Issue3
Pagination304-318
Date Published2017 03
ISSN1757-4684
KeywordsAldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation, Epigenesis, Genetic, Female, Humans, Isoenzymes, MicroRNAs, Neoplastic Stem Cells, Ovarian Neoplasms, Polycomb Repressive Complex 1, Retinal Dehydrogenase, Up-Regulation, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Abstract

The angiogenic factor, VEGFA, is a therapeutic target in ovarian cancer (OVCA). VEGFA can also stimulate stem-like cells in certain cancers, but mechanisms thereof are poorly understood. Here, we show that VEGFA mediates stem cell actions in primary human OVCA culture and OVCA lines via VEGFR2-dependent Src activation to upregulate Bmi1, tumor spheres, and ALDH1 activity. The VEGFA-mediated increase in spheres was abrogated by Src inhibition or knockdown. VEGFA stimulated sphere formation only in the ALDH1 subpopulation and increased OVCA-initiating cells and tumor formation through Bmi1. In contrast to its action in hemopoietic malignancies, DNA methyl transferase 3A (DNMT3A) appears to play a pro-oncogenic role in ovarian cancer. VEGFA-driven Src increased DNMT3A leading to methylation and upregulation of Bmi1 to increase stem-like cells. knockdown was rescued by antagomir to miR-128. knockdown prevented VEGFA-driven loss, and the increase in Bmi1 and tumor spheres. Analysis of over 1,300 primary human OVCAs revealed an aggressive subset in which high VEGFA is associated with loss. Thus, VEGFA stimulates OVCA stem-like cells through Src-DNMT3A-driven methylation and Bmi1 upregulation.

DOI10.15252/emmm.201606840
Alternate JournalEMBO Mol Med
PubMed ID28179359
PubMed Central IDPMC5331266
Related Faculty: 
Tan Ince, M.D., Ph.D.

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