Rapalog resistance is associated with mesenchymal-type changes in Tsc2-null cells

Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 28;9(1):3015. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39418-5.

Abstract

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) are caused by inactivating mutations in TSC1 or TSC2, leading to mTORC1 hyperactivation. The mTORC1 inhibitors rapamycin and analogs (rapalogs) are approved for treating of TSC and LAM. Due to their cytostatic and not cytocidal action, discontinuation of treatment leads to tumor regrowth and decline in pulmonary function. Therefore, life-long rapalog treatment is proposed for the control of TSC and LAM lesions, which increases the chances for the development of acquired drug resistance. Understanding the signaling perturbations leading to rapalog resistance is critical for the development of better therapeutic strategies. We developed the first Tsc2-null rapamycin-resistant cell line, ELT3-245, which is highly tumorigenic in mice, and refractory to rapamycin treatment. In vitro ELT3-245 cells exhibit enhanced anchorage-independent cell survival, resistance to anoikis, and loss of epithelial markers. A key alteration in ELT3-245 is increased β-catenin signaling. We propose that a subset of cells in TSC and LAM lesions have additional signaling aberrations, thus possess the potential to become resistant to rapalogs. Alternatively, when challenged with rapalogs TSC-null cells are reprogrammed to express mesenchymal-like markers. These signaling changes could be further exploited to induce clinically-relevant long-term remissions.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anoikis / drug effects
  • Anoikis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Drug Resistance / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / drug therapy
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / genetics
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / metabolism
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / genetics
  • Mesoderm / drug effects
  • Mesoderm / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / genetics*

Substances

  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Sirolimus

Supplementary concepts

  • Tuberous Sclerosis 2