Crosstalk of carcinoembryonic antigen and transforming growth factor-β via their receptors: comparing human and canine cancer

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2015 May;64(5):531-7. doi: 10.1007/s00262-015-1684-6. Epub 2015 Apr 2.

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB) pathways are tightly connected and play a key role in malignant transformation in cancer. Immune infiltration by regulatory T- and B-lymphocytes (Tregs, Bregs) has recently gained increased attention for being an important source of TGF-β. There is a plethora of studies examining the pro-tumorigenic functions of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), but its receptor CEAR is far less studied. So far, there is a single connecting report that TGF-β also may signal through CEAR. The crosstalk between cancer tissues is further complicated by the expression of CEAR and TGF-β receptors in stromal cells, and implications of TGF-β in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating Tregs and Bregs may directly instruct cancer cells by secreting TGF-β binding to their CEAR. Therefore, both TGF-β and CEA may act synergistically in breast cancer and cause disease progression, and NFκB could be a common crossing point between their signaling. CEAR, TGF-β1-3, TGF-β-R types I-III and NFκB class I and II molecules have an outstanding human-canine sequence identity, and only a canine CEA homolog has not yet been identified. For these reasons, the dog may be a valid translational model patient for investigating the crosstalk of the interconnected CEA and TGF-β networks.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / metabolism*
  • Dog Diseases / immunology*
  • Dogs
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • carcinoembryonic antigen binding protein, human
  • I-kappa B Kinase