title: Decorin protein core inhibits in vivo cancer growth and metabolism by hindering epidermal growth factor receptor function and triggering apoptosis via caspase-3 activation.
abstract: Decorin is not only a regulator of matrix assembly but also a key signaling molecule that modulates the activity of tyrosine kinase receptors such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Decorin evokes protracted internalization of the EGFR via a caveolar-mediated endocytosis, which leads to EGFR degradation and attenuation of its signaling pathway. In this study, we tested if systemic delivery of decorin protein core would affect the biology of an orthotopic squamous carcinoma xenograft. After tumor engraftment, the animals were given intraperitoneal injections of either vehicle or decorin protein core (2.5-10 mg kg(-1)) every 2 days for 18-38 days. This regimen caused a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of the tumor xenograft growth, with a concurrent decrease in mitotic index and a significant increase in apoptosis. Positron emission tomography showed that the metabolic activity of the tumor xenografts was significantly reduced by decorin treatment. Decorin protein core specifically targeted the tumor cells enriched in EGFR and caused a significant down-regulation of EGFR and attenuation of its activity. In vitro studies showed that the uptake of decorin by the A431 cells was rapid and caused a protracted down-regulation of the EGFR to levels similar to those observed in the tumor xenografts. Furthermore, decorin induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3. This could represent an additional mechanism whereby decorin might influence cell growth and survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Daniela G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Seidler
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goldoni
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agnew
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cardi
authors.forename: Mathew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.forename: Rick T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McQuillan
authors.forename: Renato V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Iozzo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D058575:Decorin; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: C546878:DCN protein, human; C546879:Dcn protein, mouse; D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D053148:Caspase 3