Rab1A promotes IL-4R/JAK1/STAT6-dependent metastasis and determines JAK1 inhibitor sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer

Cancer Lett. 2021 Dec 28:523:182-194. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.10.008. Epub 2021 Oct 8.

Abstract

Rab1A overexpression has been observed in several cancer types, however, its significance and the underlying mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unexplored. This study demonstrated that Rab1A overexpression in NSCLC was significantly correlated to short survival and metastasis. Rab1A overexpression promoted cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, by activating JAK1/STAT6 signaling through stabilizing IL-4Rα protein. Strikingly, high Rab1A level was associated with sensitivity to JAK1 inhibitor, and Rab1A overexpression rendered cancer cells vulnerable to JAK1-targeted agents. JAK1 inhibitor, Itacitinib adipate, dramatically inhibited high Rab1A NSCLC metastasis, in both cell line and patient derived xenograft models. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that Rab1A plays a critical role in the aggressive properties of NSCLC, revealing a unique mechanism by which it promotes metastasis. In addition, we found that Rab1A is a determinant of JAK1 inhibitor sensitivity, which could be explored for improving JAK1-targeted cancer therapy.

Keywords: Interleukin receptor 4; JAK1 inhibitor; Lung cancer; Metastasis; Rab1A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Janus Kinase 1 / physiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-4 / physiology*
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • rab1 GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-4
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • STAT6 protein, human
  • JAK1 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 1
  • rab1 GTP-Binding Proteins