Phosphoproteomics identify arachidonic-acid-regulated signal transduction pathways modulating macrophage functions in ovarian cancer
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ABSTRACT: Arachidonic acid (AA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid present at high concentrations in the ovarian cancer (OC) microenvironment and is associated with poor clinical outcome. In the present study, we elucidate a potential link between AA and pro-tumorigenic macrophage polarization. Methods: AA-triggered signal transduction was studied in primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) by phosphoproteomics, transcriptional profiling, measurement of intracellular Ca2+ accumulation and reactive oxygen species production in conjunction with bioinformatic analyses. Functional effects were investigated by actin filament staining, quantification of macropinocytosis and analysis of extracellular vesicle release. Results: We identified the ASK1 - p38 (MAPK13/14) axis as a central constituent of signal transduction pathways triggered by non-metabolized AA. This pathway was induced by the Ca2+-triggered activation of calmodulin kinase II, and to a minor extent by ROS generation in a subset of donors. Activated p38 in turn was linked to a transcriptional stress response associated with a poor relapse-free survival. Consistent with the phosphorylation of the p38 substrate HSP27 and the (de)phosphorylation of multiple regulators of Rho family GTPases, AA impaired actin filament organization and inhibited actin-driven macropinocytosis. AA also affected the phosphorylation of proteins regulating vesicle biogenesis, and consistently, AA enhanced the release of tetraspanin-containing exosomes. Finally, we identified phospholipase A2 Group 2A (PLA2G2A) as the clinically most relevant enzyme producing extracellular AA, providing further potentially theranostic options. Conclusion: Our results suggest that AA contributes to an unfavorable clinical outcome of OC by promoting the pro-tumorigenic phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages. Besides critical AA-regulated signal transduction proteins identified in the present study, PLA2G2A might represent a potential prognostic tool and therapeutic target to interfere with OC progression.
INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive
ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)
TISSUE(S): Peritoneal Macrophage, Macrophage
DISEASE(S): Malignant Neoplasm Of Ovary
SUBMITTER: Johannes Graumann
LAB HEAD: Rolf Müller
PROVIDER: PXD021038 | Pride | 2020-10-05
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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