Abstract 1578: Interaction of E-cadherin and EGFR in the collective cell migration of colon cancer cells

Abstract

Abstract Collective cell migration is one of the most important cellular events where a cluster of cells moves together in a coordinated way. Many studies have found this phenomenon as the hallmark of cancer progression and metastasis. In epithelial single cell migration, downregulation of adherens junction (AJ) molecule E-cadherin occurs at the initial step known as the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). However, in collective cell migration, E-cadherin junction is maintained to provide adhesion between cells. Moreover, it also mediates the cell-cell intercommunication that is critical, for instance, to alter the group polarization through actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Interestingly, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) was found to colocalize with E-cadherin in the cell-cell contact region, implicating that E-cadherin and EGFR might interact in the cell junction of collective cell migration. To address this, a human colorectal cancer cell line exhibiting epithelial phenotype HT-29 was used. The cell density and calcium presence were modified to infer the effect of differential expression and stability of E-cadherin on the cellular signaling of proliferation and migration. The results showed that stable and enhanced expression of E-cadherin downregulates EGFR expression and reduces its activity. Moreover, the Src phosphorylation increased when the cell-cell contact was strengthened via calcium addition and decreased when the cell-cell contact was diminished via calcium chelation. Overall, this indicates that E-cadherin expression at the cell-cell junction and contact stability determine the EGFR expression, activity, and Src phosphorylation. With the goal of deciphering the relationship of E-cadherin and EGFR in cell contact, proliferation, and migration, we intend to finally implement the knowledge as a strategy or approach in promoting alternative methods to inhibit metastasis. Citation Format: Viriya Adhiguna Winarso, Yi-Wen Lu, Yu-Cheng Weng, Xiang-Ling Hou, Hui Min Koo, Yu-n Li, Wei-Ting Chao. Interaction of E-cadherin and EGFR in the collective cell migration of colon cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1578.