miR-410-3p is induced by vemurafenib via ER stress and contributes to resistance to BRAF inhibitor in melanoma

PLoS One. 2020 Jun 17;15(6):e0234707. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234707. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Despite significant development of melanoma therapies, death rates remain high. MicroRNAs, controlling posttranscriptionally gene expression, play role in development of resistance to BRAF inhibitors. The aim of the study was to assess the role of miR-410-3p in response to vemurafenib-BRAF inhibitor. FFPE tissue samples of 12 primary nodular melanomas were analyzed. With the use of Laser Capture Microdissection, parts of tumor, transient tissue, and adjacent healthy tissue were separated. In vitro experiments were conducted on human melanoma cell lines A375, G361, and SK-MEL1. IC50s of vemurafenib were determined using MTT method. Cells were transfected with miR-410-3p mimic, anti-miR-410-3p and their non-targeting controls. ER stress was induced by thapsigargin. Expression of isolated RNA was determined using qRT-PCR. We have found miR-410-3p is downregulated in melanoma tissues. Its expression is induced by vemurafenib in melanoma cells. Upregulation of miR-410-3p level increased melanoma cells resistance to vemurafenib, while its inhibition led to the decrease of resistance. Induction of ER stress increased the level of miR-410-3p. miR-410-3p upregulated the expression of AXL in vitro and correlated with markers of invasive phenotype in starBase. The study shows a novel mechanism of melanoma resistance. miR-410-3p is induced by vemurafenib in melanoma cells via ER stress. It drives switching to the invasive phenotype that leads to the response and resistance to BRAF inhibition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / genetics*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vemurafenib / pharmacology*
  • Vemurafenib / therapeutic use

Substances

  • MIRN410 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Vemurafenib
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf

Grants and funding

This work was funded by a grant from the Medical University of Warsaw 1M15/NM5/18 (TMG) (www.wum.edu.pl) and from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education 0075/DIA/2017/46 (WP) (www.mnisw.gov.pl The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.