TGFβ signaling sensitizes MEKi-resistant human melanoma to targeted therapy-induced apoptosis

Bibliographic Details
Title: TGFβ signaling sensitizes MEKi-resistant human melanoma to targeted therapy-induced apoptosis
Authors: Benjamin Loos, Adrian Salas-Bastos, Anna Nordin, Julien Debbache, Salome Stierli, Phil F. Cheng, Stefanie Rufli, Conrad Wyss, Mitchell P. Levesque, Reinhard Dummer, Wendy Wei-Lynn Wong, Steve Pascolo, Claudio Cantù, Lukas Sommer
Source: Cell Death and Disease, Vol 15, Iss 12, Pp 1-18 (2024)
Publisher Information: Nature Publishing Group, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Cytology
Subject Terms: Cytology, QH573-671
More Details: Abstract The TGFβ signaling pathway is known for its pleiotropic functions in a plethora of biological processes. In melanoma, TGFβ signaling promotes invasiveness and metastasis formation. However, its involvement in the response to therapy is controversial. While several studies have linked TGFβ signaling to elevated resistance to targeted therapy in melanoma, separate findings have indicated a favorable treatment response through TGFβ-mediated increase of cell death. We now found that the outcome of TGFβ signaling in the context of targeted therapy is dose dependent. Unlike low doses, high levels of TGFβ signal activation induce apoptosis upon simultaneous MAPK pathway inhibition, even in targeted therapy resistant melanoma cell lines. Using transcriptomic analyses, combined with genomic target identification of the critical TGFβ signaling effector SMAD4, we demonstrate that parallel activation of TGFβ signaling and MAPK pathway inhibition causes a complete switch of TGFβ target genes from promoting pro-invasive processes to fueling pro-apoptotic pathways. Investigations of underlying mechanisms identified a novel apoptosis-inducing gene signature. Functional validation of signature members highlighted a central role of the pro-apoptotic BCL2 family member BCL2L11 (BIM) in mediating apoptosis in this condition. Using a modified, synthetic version of the TGFB1 mRNA for intra-tumoral injections, we additionally showcase a potential therapeutic application of this treatment combination.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2041-4889
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2041-4889
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-07305-1
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/ffa3a422e75549078e48baa042793f68
Accession Number: edsdoj.ffa3a422e75549078e48baa042793f68
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20414889
DOI:10.1038/s41419-024-07305-1
Published in:Cell Death and Disease
Language:English