FGF18-FGFR2 signaling triggers the activation of c-Jun-YAP1 axis to promote carcinogenesis in a subgroup of gastric cancer patients and indicates translational potential

Oncogene. 2020 Oct;39(43):6647-6663. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-01458-x. Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factor receptor type 2 (FGFR2) has emerged as a key oncogenic factor that regulates gastric cancer (GC) progression, but the underlying mechanism of FGF-FGFR2 signaling pathway remains largely unknown. To identify the potential molecular mechanisms of the oncogenic FGFR2 in gastric carcinogenesis and convey a novel therapeutic strategy, we profiled the FGFR alterations and analyzed their clinical associations in TCGA and Hong Kong GC cohorts. We found that FGFR2 overexpression in GC cell lines and primary tumors predicted poor survival and was associated with advanced stages of GC. Functionally, growth abilities and cell cycle progression of GC were inhibited by inactivation of ERK-MAPK signal transduction after FGFR2 knockdown, while apoptosis was promoted. Meanwhile, the first-line anti-cancer drug sensitivity was enhanced. RNA-seq analysis further revealed that YAP1 signaling serves as a significant downstream modulator and mediates the oncogenic signaling of FGFR2. When stimulating FGFR2 by rhFGF18, we observed intensified F-actin, nuclear accumulation of YAP1, and overexpression of YAP1 targets, but these effects were attenuated by either FGFR2 depletion or AZD4547 administration. Additionally, the FGF18-FGFR2 signaling upregulated YAP1 expression through activating c-Jun, an effector of MAPK signaling. In our cohort, 28.94% of GC cases were characterized as FGFR2, c-Jun, and YAP1 co-positive and demonstrated worse clinical outcomes. Remarkably, we also found that co-targeting FGFR2 and YAP1 by AZD4547 and Verteporfin synergistically enhanced the antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, we have identified the oncogenic FGF-FGFR2 regulates YAP1 signaling in GC. The findings also highlight the translational potential of FGFR2-c-Jun-YAP1 axis, which may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Benzamides / therapeutic use
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cohort Studies
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • Datasets as Topic
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use
  • RNA-Seq
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / genetics
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / mortality
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation
  • Verteporfin / pharmacology
  • Verteporfin / therapeutic use
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • AZD4547
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Benzamides
  • JUN protein, human
  • Piperazines
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • Pyrazoles
  • Transcription Factors
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • YAP1 protein, human
  • fibroblast growth factor 18
  • Verteporfin
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • FGFR2 protein, human
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2