Targeting Mutant (V600E) B-Raf in Melanoma Interrupts Immunoediting of Leukocyte Functions and Melanoma Extravasation

Authors:
Liang S, Sharma A, Peng HH, Robertson G, Dong C
In:
Source: Cancer Res
Publication Date: (2007)
Issue: 67(12): 5814-20
Research Area:
Cancer Research/Cell Biology
Cells used in publication:
UACC903
Species: human
Tissue Origin: dermal
1205 Lu
Species: human
Tissue Origin:
Platform:
Nucleofector® I/II/2b
Abstract
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) facilitate melanoma cell extravasation under dynamic flow conditions by the binding of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on melanoma cells to beta(2) integrins on PMNs, which is mediated by endogenously produced chemokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) from the tumor microenvironment. However, little is known about the role of B-Raf, the most mutated gene in malignant melanomas, in this process. In this study, we investigated the functional importance of B-Raf in melanoma extravasation by using short interfering RNA to reduce expression/activity of mutant (V600E)B-Raf in melanoma. Results indicated that knockdown of mutant (V600E)B-Raf inhibited melanoma cell extravasation in vitro and subsequent lung metastasis development in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that inhibition of (V600E)B-Raf significantly reduced the constitutive secretion of IL-8 from melanoma cells as well as the capacity of endogenous IL-8 production from the melanoma-PMN microenvironment. Furthermore, a reduction in ICAM-1 expression on melanoma cells was detected following mutant (V600E)B-Raf knockdown. Together, these results suggest that targeting mutant (V600E)B-Raf reduces melanoma cell extravasation by decreasing IL-8 production and interrupting ICAM-1-beta(2) integrin binding of melanoma cells to the endothelium mediated by PMNs in the microcirculation, which provides a rationale and mechanistic basis for targeting mutant (V600E)B-Raf to inhibit melanoma extravasation and subsequent metastasis development.