title: Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress due to Complex I Dysfunction Promotes Fibroblast Activation and Melanoma Cell Invasiveness.
abstract: Increased ROS (cellular reactive oxygen species) are characteristic of both fibrosis and tumour development. ROS induce the trans-differentiation to myofibroblasts, the activated form of fibroblasts able to promote cancer progression. Here, we report the role of ROS produced in response to dysfunctions of mitochondrial complex I, in fibroblast activation and in tumour progression. We studied human fibroblasts with mitochondrial dysfunctions of complex I, leading to hyperproduction of ROS. We demonstrated that ROS level produced by the mutated fibroblasts correlates with their activation. The increase of ROS in these cells provides a greater ability to remodel the extracellular matrix leading to an increased motility and invasiveness. Furthermore, we evidentiated that in hypoxic conditions these fibroblasts cause HIF-1α stabilization and promote a proinvasive phenotype of human melanoma cells through secretion of cytokines. These data suggest a possible role of deregulated mitochondrial ROS production in fibrosis evolution as well as in cancer progression and invasion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Sciences, Tuscany Tumor Institute, University of Florence, Morgagni Avenue 50, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Taddei
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannoni
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raugei
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scacco
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sardanelli
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chiarugi