MicroRNA-150 inhibits tumor invasion and metastasis by targeting the chemokine receptor CCR6, in advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Blood. 2014 Mar 6;123(10):1499-511. doi: 10.1182/blood-2013-09-527739. Epub 2014 Jan 2.

Abstract

In this study, we show that microRNA-150 (miR-150) is significantly downregulated in advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and that this downregulation is strongly associated with tumor invasion/metastasis. Inoculation of CTCL cell lines into nonobese diabetic/Shi-scid interleukin 2γ (IL-2γ) null mice led to CTCL cell migration to multiple organs; however, prior transfection of the cells with miR-150 substantially reduced the invasion/metastasis by directly downregulating CCR6, a specific receptor for the chemokine CCL20. We also found that IL-22 and its specific receptor subunit, IL22RA1, were aberrantly overexpressed in advanced CTCL, and that production of IL-22 and CCL20 was increased in cultured CTCL cells. IL22RA1 knockdown specifically reduced CCL20 production in CTCL cells, suggesting that IL-22 upregulation may activate the production of CCL20 and its binding to CCR6, thereby enhancing the multidirectional migration potential of CTCL cells. CTCL cells also exhibited nutrition- and CCL20-dependent chemotaxis, which were inhibited by miR-150 transfection or CCR6 knockdown. From these findings, we conclude that, in the presence of continuous CCR6 upregulation accompanied by miR-150 downregulation, IL-22 activation leads to continuous CCL20-CCR6 interaction in CTCL cells and, in turn, autocrine metastasis to distal organs. This suggests miR-150, CCL20, and CCR6 could be key targets for the treatment of advanced CTCL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autocrine Communication
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemokine CCL20 / genetics
  • Chemokine CCL20 / metabolism
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / genetics*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / mortality
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / pathology*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • RNA Interference*
  • Receptors, CCR6 / genetics*
  • Transfection
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL20
  • Interleukins
  • MIRN150 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, CCR6