Heat stress induced, ligand-independent MET and EGFR signalling in hepatocellular carcinoma

Scott M. Thompson, Danielle E. Jondal, Kim A. Butters, Bruce E. Knudsen, Jill L. Anderson, Matthew P. Stokes, Xiaoying Jia, Joseph P. Grande, Lewis R. Roberts, Matthew R. Callstrom, David A. Woodrum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The aims of the present study were 2-fold: first, to test the hypothesis that heat stress induces MET and EGFR signalling in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and inhibition of this signalling decreases HCC clonogenic survival; and second, to identify signalling pathways associated with heat stress induced MET signalling. Materials and Methods: MET+ and EGFR+ HCC cells were pre-treated with inhibitors to MET, EGFR, PI3K/mTOR or vehicle and subjected to heat stress or control ± HGF or EGF growth factors and assessed by colony formation assay, Western blotting and/or quantitative mass spectrometry. IACUC approved partial laser thermal or sham ablation was performed on orthotopic N1S1 and AS30D HCC tumours and liver/tumour assessed for phospho-MET and phospho-EGFR immunostaining. Results: Heat-stress induced rapid MET and EGFR phosphorylation that is distinct from HGF or EGF in HCC cells and thermal ablation induced MET but not EGFR phosphorylation at the HCC tumour ablation margin. Inhibition of the MET and EGFR blocked both heat stress and growth factor induced MET and EGFR phosphorylation and inhibition of MET decreased HCC clonogenic survival following heat stress. Pathway analysis of quantitative phosphoproteomic data identified downstream pathways associated with heat stress induced MET signalling including AKT, ERK, Stat3 and JNK. However, inhibition of heat stress induced MET signalling did not block AKT signalling. Conclusions: Heat-stress induced MET and EGFR signalling is distinct from growth factor mediated signalling in HCC cells and MET inhibition enhances heat stress induced HCC cell killing via a PI3K/AKT/mTOR-independent mechanism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)812-823
Number of pages12
JournalInternational Journal of Hyperthermia
Volume34
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 18 2018

Keywords

  • AKT
  • EGFR
  • MET
  • heat stress
  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • thermal ablation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)
  • Cancer Research

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