EGFR signaling suppresses type 1 cytokine-induced T-cell attracting chemokine secretion in head and neck cancer

PLoS One. 2018 Sep 7;13(9):e0203402. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203402. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Resistance to antitumor immunity can be promoted by the oncogenic pathways operational in human cancers, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway. Here we studied if and how EGFR downstream signaling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can affect the attraction of immune cells. HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC cell lines were analyzed in vitro for CCL2, CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, IL-6 and IL-1β expression and the attraction of T cells under different conditions, including cetuximab treatment and stimulation with IFNγ and TNFα using qPCR, ELISA and migration experiments. Biochemical analyses with chemical inhibitors and siRNA transfection were used to pinpoint the underlying mechanisms. Stimulation of HNSCC cells with IFNγ and TNFα triggered the production of T-cell attracting chemokines and required c-RAF activation. Blocking of the EGFR with cetuximab during this stimulation increased chemokine production in vitro, and augmented the attraction of T cells. Mechanistically, cetuximab decreased the phosphorylation of MEK1, ERK1/2, AKT, mTOR, JNK, p38 and ERK5. Chemical inhibition of EGFR signaling showed a consistent and pronounced chemokine production with MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 and JNK inhibitor SP600125, but not with inhibitors of p38, PI3K or mTOR. Combination treatment with cetuximab and a MEK1/2 or JNK inhibitor induced the highest chemokine expression. In conclusion, overexpression of EGFR results in the activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways that act simultaneously to suppress type 1 cytokine stimulated production of chemokines required to amplify the attraction of T cells.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cetuximab / therapeutic use*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Cytokines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cetuximab

Grants and funding

SJAMS and MJPW were financially supported by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society 2014-6696 to SHvdB and MJPW. WM is supported by a grant from the China Scholarship Council (201306240016).