Notch1 regulates angio-supportive bone marrow-derived cells in mice: relevance to chemoresistance

Blood. 2013 Jul 4;122(1):143-53. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-11-459347. Epub 2013 May 20.

Abstract

Host responses to chemotherapy can induce resistance mechanisms that facilitate tumor regrowth. To determine the contribution of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs), we exposed tumor-bearing mice to chemotherapeutic agents and evaluated the influx and contribution of a genetically traceable subpopulation of BMDCs (vascular endothelial-cadherin-Cre-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein [VE-Cad-Cre-EYFP]). Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with different chemotherapeutics resulted in a three- to 10-fold increase in the influx of VE-Cad-Cre-EYFP. This enhanced influx was accompanied by a significant increase in angiogenesis. Expression profile analysis revealed a progressive change in the EYFP population with loss of endothelial markers and an increase in mononuclear markers. In the tumor, 2 specific populations of VE-Cad-Cre-EYFP BMDCs were identified: Gr1⁺/CD11b⁺ and Tie2high/platelet endothelial cell adhesion moleculelow cells, both located in perivascular areas. A common signature of the EYFP population that exits the bone marrow is an increase in Notch. Inducible inactivation of Notch in the EYFP⁺ BMDCs impaired homing of these BMDCs to the tumor. Importantly, Notch deletion reduced therapy-enhanced angiogenesis, and was associated with an increased antitumor effect of the chemotherapy. These findings revealed the functional significance of a specific population of supportive BMDCs in response to chemotherapeutics and uncovered a new potential strategy to enhance anticancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / physiology*
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / genetics
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / physiology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / drug therapy
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, 129 Strain
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology*
  • Receptor, Notch1 / genetics
  • Receptor, Notch1 / physiology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Cadherins
  • Notch1 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Notch1
  • cadherin 5
  • Paclitaxel
  • Cisplatin