TGFβ signaling confers sorafenib resistance via induction of multiple RTKs in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Mol Carcinog. 2017 Apr;56(4):1302-1311. doi: 10.1002/mc.22592. Epub 2016 Nov 25.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a multifunctional cytokine which is importantly implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis. The current study provides novel evidence that TGFβ upregulates the expression of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including IGF1R, EGFR, PDGFβR, and FGFR1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. This, in turn, sensitized HCC cells to individual cognate RTK ligands, leading to cell survival. Our data showed that the TGFβ-mediated increase in growth factor sensitivity led to evasion of apoptosis induced by the mutikinase inhibitor, sorafenib. Conversely, we observed that inhibition of the TGFβ signaling pathway by LY2157299, a TGFβRI kinase inhibitor, enhanced sorafenib-induced apoptosis, in vitro. Our findings disclose an important interplay between TGFβ and RTK signaling pathways, which is critical for hepatocellular cancer cell survival and resistance to therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: Akt; HCC; IGF1R; RTKs; TGFβ; sorafenib.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Niacinamide / pharmacology
  • Phenylurea Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Quinolines / pharmacology
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Sorafenib
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Pyrazoles
  • Quinolines
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Niacinamide
  • LY-2157299
  • Sorafenib
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases