title: Endothelin-1 induces the transactivation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 and modulates cell migration and vasculogenic mimicry in melanoma cells.
abstract: Endothelin receptor B (ET(B)R) is a G-protein-coupled receptor overexpressed in melanoma, blood, and lymphatic endothelial cells. Given that aberrant signal transduction can be mediated through cross talk between receptors, here, we explore the functional relationship between ET(B)R and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3 system and how this cross talk might influence the aggressive behavior of melanoma cells. The expression of VEGFR-3 and its ligands, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, significantly increased after activating ET(B)R by ET-1 in primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines. These effects, similarly to those induced by hypoxia, were mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α. ET-1 caused the phosphorylation of VEGFR-3, which was accompanied by the activation of the downstream signaling molecules, such as MAPK and AKT. Inhibition of c-Src activity or silencing of the scaffold protein β-arrestin-1 reduced ET-1-induced VEGFR-3 phosphorylation, demonstrating that, upon ET-1 stimulus, β-arrestin-1 is involved with c-Src in the ET(B)R-mediated VEGFR-3 transactivation. Moreover, ET-1 in combination with VEGF-C further increased VEGFR-3, MAPK, and AKT phosphorylation and markedly promoted cell migration and vasculogenic mimicry. Dual inhibition of ET(B)R and VEGFR-3 was required for the effective inhibition of these effects, as well as for VEGFR-3 phosphorylation, demonstrating that ET(B)R cross talk with VEGFR-3 enhances cell plasticity and motility. Finally, in melanoma xenografts, ET(B)R antagonist inhibited tumor growth and the activation of the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 axis, indicating that targeting ET(B)R may improve melanoma treatment acting directly or indirectly by impairing ET(B)R cross talk with VEGFR-3.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pathology Laboratory "A", Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. spinella@ifo.it
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spinella
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Caprara
authors.forename: Valeriana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Castro
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosanò
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianfrocca
authors.forename: Pier Giorgio
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Natali
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagnato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt