MUC1-C INTEGRATES CHRONIC TYPE II INTERFERON SIGNALING WITH CHROMATIN REMODELING PATHWAYS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSION OF PROSTATE CANCER
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: The cancer stem cell (CSC) state is intimately associated with suppression of the immune tumor microenvironment (TME). The oncogenic MUC1-C protein drives dedifferentiation of castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) CSCs in association with induction of the BAF, NuRD and PBAF chromatin remodeling complexes. The present work demonstrates that MUC1-C is necessary for expression of IFNGR1 and activation of the type II interferon-gamma (IFN- pathway in CRPC cells. We show that the MUC1-CARID1A/BAF pathway induces IFNGR1 transcription and that MUC1-CNuRD signaling suppresses FBXW7 in stabilizing the IFNGR1 protein. MUC1-C and NuRD were also necessary for expression of the downstream STAT1 and IRF1 transcription factors. Additionally and in contrast, our results demonstrate that MUC1-C and the PBRM1/PBAF pathway are necessary for IRF1-induced expression of (i) IDO1, WARS and PTGES, which metabolically suppress the immune TME, and (ii) the ISG15 and SERPINB9 inhibitors of T cell function. Of translational relevance, we show that MUC1 associates with expression of IFNGR1, STAT1 and IRF1, as well as the downstream IDO1, WARS, PTGES, ISG15 and SERPINB9 immunosuppressive effectors in CRPC tumors. Consistent with these results, MUC1 associates with immune cell-depleted “cold” CRPC TMEs. These findings demonstrate that MUC1-C integrates chronic activation of the type II IFN-G pathway with induction of chromatin remodeling complexes in linking CSC dedifferentiation and immune evasion.
Project description:STAT1 and IRF1 are essential effectors of the type I and II interferon (IFN) pathways. Here, we report that the oncogenic MUC1-C protein is necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility and activation of the STAT1 and IRF1 genes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Our results demonstrate that MUC1-C activates the PBRM1 subunit of the SWI/SNF PBAF chromatin remodeling complex and forms a nuclear complex with PBRM1. We show that MUC1-C associates with PBRM1 and STAT1 on the IRF1 gene at (i) a proximal enhancer-like signature (PLS), and (ii) distal enhancer-like signatures (dELSs). We also show MUC1-C and PBRM1 are necessary for opening chromatin at these signatures and for the induction of IRF1 expression. In extending these results, we found that MUC1-C binds directly to IRF1 and forms nuclear complexes with PBRM1 and IRF1, which are necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility at PLS of the (i) STAT1 gene, (ii) type II IFN pathway IDO1 and WARS genes, and (iii) type I IFN pathway RIG-I, MDA5 and ISG15 genes. Consistent with involvement of chronic inflammation in promoting the cancer stem cell (CSC) state, we show that MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 are required for self-renewal of TNBC CSCs. Of translational relevance, we report that targeting MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 circumvents intrinsic DNA damage resistance of TNBC CSCs and that MUC1-C is necessary for acquired resistance to the PARP inhibitor olaparib. These findings demonstrate that MUC1-C activates PBRM1/IRF1 and thereby chromatin remodeling of IFN pathway genes that promote chronic inflammation, the CSC state and DNA damage resistance.
Project description:STAT1 and IRF1 are essential effectors of the type I and II interferon (IFN) pathways. Here, we report that the oncogenic MUC1-C protein is necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility and activation of the STAT1 and IRF1 genes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Our results demonstrate that MUC1-C activates the PBRM1 subunit of the SWI/SNF PBAF chromatin remodeling complex and forms a nuclear complex with PBRM1. We show that MUC1-C associates with PBRM1 and STAT1 on the IRF1 gene at (i) a proximal enhancer-like signature (PLS), and (ii) distal enhancer-like signatures (dELSs). We also show MUC1-C and PBRM1 are necessary for opening chromatin at these signatures and for the induction of IRF1 expression. In extending these results, we found that MUC1-C binds directly to IRF1 and forms nuclear complexes with PBRM1 and IRF1, which are necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility at PLS of the (i) STAT1 gene, (ii) type II IFN pathway IDO1 and WARS genes, and (iii) type I IFN pathway RIG-I, MDA5 and ISG15 genes. Consistent with involvement of chronic inflammation in promoting the cancer stem cell (CSC) state, we show that MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 are required for self-renewal of TNBC CSCs. Of translational relevance, we report that targeting MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 circumvents intrinsic DNA damage resistance of TNBC CSCs and that MUC1-C is necessary for acquired resistance to the PARP inhibitor olaparib. These findings demonstrate that MUC1-C activates PBRM1/IRF1 and thereby chromatin remodeling of IFN pathway genes that promote chronic inflammation, the CSC state and DNA damage resistance.
Project description:STAT1 and IRF1 are essential effectors of the type I and II interferon (IFN) pathways. Here, we report that the oncogenic MUC1-C protein is necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility and activation of the STAT1 and IRF1 genes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Our results demonstrate that MUC1-C activates the PBRM1 subunit of the SWI/SNF PBAF chromatin remodeling complex and forms a nuclear complex with PBRM1. We show that MUC1-C associates with PBRM1 and STAT1 on the IRF1 gene at (i) a proximal enhancer-like signature (PLS), and (ii) distal enhancer-like signatures (dELSs). We also show MUC1-C and PBRM1 are necessary for opening chromatin at these signatures and for the induction of IRF1 expression. In extending these results, we found that MUC1-C binds directly to IRF1 and forms nuclear complexes with PBRM1 and IRF1, which are necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility at PLS of the (i) STAT1 gene, (ii) type II IFN pathway IDO1 and WARS genes, and (iii) type I IFN pathway RIG-I, MDA5 and ISG15 genes. Consistent with involvement of chronic inflammation in promoting the cancer stem cell (CSC) state, we show that MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 are required for self-renewal of TNBC CSCs. Of translational relevance, we report that targeting MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 circumvents intrinsic DNA damage resistance of TNBC CSCs and that MUC1-C is necessary for acquired resistance to the PARP inhibitor olaparib. These findings demonstrate that MUC1-C activates PBRM1/IRF1 and thereby chromatin remodeling of IFN pathway genes that promote chronic inflammation, the CSC state and DNA damage resistance.
Project description:STAT1 and IRF1 are essential effectors of the type I and II interferon (IFN) pathways. Here, we report that the oncogenic MUC1-C protein is necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility and activation of the STAT1 and IRF1 genes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Our results demonstrate that MUC1-C activates the PBRM1 subunit of the SWI/SNF PBAF chromatin remodeling complex and forms a nuclear complex with PBRM1. We show that MUC1-C associates with PBRM1 and STAT1 on the IRF1 gene at (i) a proximal enhancer-like signature (pELS), and (ii) distal enhancer-like signatures (dELSs). We also show MUC1-C and PBRM1 are necessary for opening chromatin at these signatures and for the induction of IRF1 expression. In extending these results, we found that MUC1-C binds directly to IRF1 and forms nuclear complexes with PBRM1 and IRF1, which are necessary for inducing chromatin accessibility at pELSs of the (i) STAT1 gene, (ii) type II IFN pathway IDO1 and WARS genes, and (iii) type I IFN pathway RIG-I, MDA5 and ISG15 genes. Consistent with involvement of chronic inflammation in promoting the cancer stem cell (CSC) state, we show that MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 are required for self-renewal of TNBC CSCs. Of translational relevance, we report that targeting MUC1-C, PBRM1 and IRF1 circumvents intrinsic DNA damage resistance of TNBC CSCs and that MUC1-C is necessary for acquired resistance to the PARP inhibitor olaparib. These findings demonstrate that MUC1-C activates PBRM1 and thereby chromatin remodeling of IFN pathway genes that promote chronic inflammation, the CSC state and DNA damage resistance.
Project description:The NuRD chromatin remodeling and deacetylation complex, which includes MTA1, MBD3, CHD4 and HDAC1 among other components, is of importance for development and cancer progression. The oncogenic MUC1-C protein activates EZH2 and BMI1 in the epigenetic reprogramming of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. However, there is no known link between MUC1-C and chromatin remodeling complexes. The present studies demonstrate that MUC1-C binds directly to the MYC HLH/LZ domain. In turn, we identified a previously unrecognized MUC1-C®MYC pathway that regulates the NuRD complex. We show that MUC1-C/MYC complexes selectively activate the MTA1 and MBD3 genes and posttranscriptionally induce CHD4 expression in basal- and not luminal-type BC cells. The results further show that MUC1-C forms complexes with these NuRD components on the ESR1 promoter. In this way, silencing MUC1-C (i) decreased MTA1/MBD3/CHD4/HDAC1 occupancy and increased H3K27 acetylation on the ESR1 promoter, and (ii) induced ESR1 expression and downstream estrogen response pathways. We also demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C and these NuRD components induces expression of FOXA1, GATA3 and other markers associated with the luminal phenotype. These findings and results from gain-of-function studies support a model in which MUC1-C activates the NuRD complex in driving luminal®basal dedifferentiation and plasticity of TNBC cells.
Project description:Androgen receptor positive prostate cancer (PC), castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represent a spectrum of malignancies that invariably become resistant to treatment with targeted and cytotoxic agents. There is no known common pathway responsible for these pleotropic mechanisms of resistance. The MUC1 gene is aberrantly expressed in CRPC and NEPC in association with poor clinical outcomes. The present results demonstrate that the oncogenic MUC1-C protein is necessary for resistance of (i) PC cells to enzalutamide (ENZ), and (ii) CRPC and NEPC cells to docetaxel (DTX). We show that MUC1-C-mediated ENZ and DTX resistance is conferred by upregulation of aerobic glycolysis and suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) necessary for self-renewal capacity. Common dependence of these drug-resistant phenotypes on MUC1-C for the cancer stem cell (CSC) state thus identified a potential new target for their treatment. cIn this context, we further demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C with an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is highly effective in suppressing (i) self-renewal of drug-resistant CRPC and NEPC CSCs and (ii) growth of t-NEPC tumor xenografts derived from drug-resistant cells and a patient with refractory disease. These findings reveal a shared MUC1-C-dependent pathway in drug-resistant CRPC and NEPC progression and identify MUC1-C as a target for their treatment with an ADC.
Project description:Androgen receptor positive prostate cancer (PC), castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represent a spectrum of malignancies that invariably become resistant to treatment with targeted and cytotoxic agents. There is no known common pathway responsible for these pleotropic mechanisms of resistance. The MUC1 gene is aberrantly expressed in CRPC and NEPC in association with poor clinical outcomes. The present results demonstrate that the oncogenic MUC1-C protein is necessary for resistance of (i) PC cells to enzalutamide (ENZ), and (ii) CRPC and NEPC cells to docetaxel (DTX). We show that MUC1-C-mediated ENZ and DTX resistance is conferred by upregulation of aerobic glycolysis and suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) necessary for self-renewal capacity. Common dependence of these drug-resistant phenotypes on MUC1-C for the cancer stem cell (CSC) state thus identified a potential new target for their treatment. cIn this context, we further demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C with an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is highly effective in suppressing (i) self-renewal of drug-resistant CRPC and NEPC CSCs and (ii) growth of t-NEPC tumor xenografts derived from drug-resistant cells and a patient with refractory disease. These findings reveal a shared MUC1-C-dependent pathway in drug-resistant CRPC and NEPC progression and identify MUC1-C as a target for their treatment with an ADC.
Project description:Androgen receptor positive prostate cancer (PC), castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represent a spectrum of malignancies that invariably become resistant to treatment with targeted and cytotoxic agents. There is no known common pathway responsible for these pleotropic mechanisms of resistance. The MUC1 gene is aberrantly expressed in CRPC and NEPC in association with poor clinical outcomes. The present results demonstrate that the oncogenic MUC1-C protein is necessary for resistance of (i) PC cells to enzalutamide (ENZ), and (ii) CRPC and NEPC cells to docetaxel (DTX). We show that MUC1-C-mediated ENZ and DTX resistance is conferred by upregulation of aerobic glycolysis and suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) necessary for self-renewal capacity. Common dependence of these drug-resistant phenotypes on MUC1-C for the cancer stem cell (CSC) state thus identified a potential new target for their treatment. cIn this context, we further demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C with an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is highly effective in suppressing (i) self-renewal of drug-resistant CRPC and NEPC CSCs and (ii) growth of t-NEPC tumor xenografts derived from drug-resistant cells and a patient with refractory disease. These findings reveal a shared MUC1-C-dependent pathway in drug-resistant CRPC and NEPC progression and identify MUC1-C as a target for their treatment with an ADC.
Project description:This study identifies the oncogenic protein MUC1-C as a key driver of resistance to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor osimertinib in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).MUC1-C promotes resistance by activating STAT1 and type I/II interferon pathways, creating an inflammatory memory of the resistant phenotype. This memory is maintained via MUC1-C/STAT1 interaction at one enhancer region (pELS-1) and MUC1-C/JUN/PBAF at another (pELS-2) in the MUC1 gene. MUC1-C also mediates resistance to combination EGFR/MET inhibitors and a fourth-generation EGFR TKI (TQB3804). Importantly, targeting MUC1-C with an antibody-drug conjugate (M1C ADC) is effective both in vitro and in a patient-derived xenograft model, making MUC1-C a promising therapeutic target for TKI-refractory NSCLC.
Project description:Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of increasing prevalence with an unmet need for targeted therapeutic approaches. The oncogenic MUC1-C protein is overexpressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and NEPC; however, there is no known role for MUC1-C in driving lineage plasticity to these advanced PC phenotypes. The present studies demonstrate that upregulation of MUC1-C in androgen-independent (AI) PC cells suppresses androgen receptor (AR) axis signaling and induces the neural BRN2 transcription factor by a previously unrecognized MYC-mediated mechanism. MUC1-C activates the BRN2 pathway in association with induction of MYCN, EZH2 and NE differentiation markers (ASCL1, AURKA and SYP), which are linked to NEPC progression. We also show that MUC1-C suppresses the p53 pathway, induces the Yamanaka pluripotency factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC) and drives stemness. Of potential clinical relevance, targeting MUC1-C decreases PC self-renewal capacity and tumorigenicity, supporting the treatment of CRPC and NEPC with agents directed against this oncoprotein. These findings and the demonstration that MUC1-C is upregulated and associated with suppression of AR signaling, and increases in BRN2 expression and the NEPC score in PC tissues highlight the unanticipated importance of MUC1-C as a master effector of lineage plasticity in progression to advanced PC with NE features.