Overexpression of apolipoprotein A-I fused to an anti-transforming growth factor beta peptide modulates the tumorigenicity and immunogenicity of mouse colon cancer cells

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2015 Jun;64(6):717-25. doi: 10.1007/s00262-015-1681-9. Epub 2015 Mar 21.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) promotes tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in established tumors. In this study, we analyzed the effect of overexpressing an anti-TGF-β peptide fused to apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) as a scaffold molecule. We generated and characterized stable MC38 colon carcinoma clones expressing ApoA-I fused to the anti-TGF-β peptide P144 and ApoA-I as control cells. We evaluated in vitro the gene expression profile, cell cycle and anchorage-independent growth. The in vivo tumorigenic potential and immunogenicity were analyzed inoculating the MC38 clones into C57BL/6 mice, recombination-activating gene 1 knockout mice or mice deficient in NK cells either subcutaneously or intrasplenically to generate hepatic metastases. While overexpression of ApoA-I had no effect on the parameters analyzed, ApoA-I fused to P144 markedly diminished the tumorigenic capacity and metastatic potential of MC38 in vitro and in vivo, thus generating a highly immunogenic cell line. MC38 cells transfected with ApoA-I fused to P144 triggered memory T cell responses able to eliminate the parental cell line upon re-challenge. In summary, expression of ApoA-I fused to P144 is a novel strategy to modulate TGF-β in tumor cells. These results highlight the potential of TGF-β as a target in the development of new antitumor treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / biosynthesis*
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Peptide Fragments / biosynthesis*
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Transfection
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TGF-beta1 type III receptor (730-743), human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta