Loss of desmoglein-2 promotes gallbladder carcinoma progression and resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy through Src kinase activation

Cell Death Differ. 2021 Mar;28(3):968-984. doi: 10.1038/s41418-020-00628-4. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

Abstract

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) exhibits poor prognosis due to local recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to targeted therapies. Using clinicopathological analyses of GBC patients along with molecular in vitro and tumor in vivo analysis of GBC cells, we showed that reduction of Dsg2 expression was highly associated with higher T stage, more perineural, and lymphatic invasion. Dsg2-depleted GBC cells exhibited significantly enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasiveness in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo through Src-mediated signaling activation. Interestingly, Dsg2 binding inhibited Src activation, whereas its loss activated cSrc-mediated EGFR plasma membrane clearance and cytoplasmic localization, which was associated with acquired EGFR-targeted therapy resistance and decreased overall survival. Inhibition of Src activity by dasatinib enhanced therapeutic response to anti-EGFR therapy. Dsg2 status can help stratify predicted patient response to anti-EGFR therapy and Src inhibition could be a promising strategy to improve the clinical efficacy of EGFR-targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma / enzymology
  • Carcinoma / genetics
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Desmoglein 2 / genetics
  • Desmoglein 2 / metabolism*
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / genetics
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • src-Family Kinases / genetics
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • DSG2 protein, human
  • Desmoglein 2
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • src-Family Kinases