Abstract B02: miR-181a initiates and perpetuates oncogenic transformation through the regulation of innate immune signaling

Abstract

Abstract Genomic instability predisposes cells to malignant transformation; however, the molecular mechanisms that allow for the propagation of cells with a high degree of genomic instability remain unclear. Here we report that miR-181a is able to transform fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells—the precursor cell type for the majority of high-grade serous ovarian cancers—through the inhibition of RB1 and simultaneously drives a cell-protective inhibition of the stimulator-of-interferon-genes (STING) in order to maintain a microenvironment conducive to the propagation of cells with a high-degree of genomic instability. We found that miR-181a inhibition of RB1 leads to profound nuclear defects, genomic instability, and nuclear rupture resulting in a persistence of genomic material in the cytoplasm. While normally, this persistence of genomic material in the cytoplasm induces interferon response through STING to drive cell death, miR-181a directly downregulates STING and prevents apoptosis. The most common mechanism by which oncogenic miRNAs promote tumorigenesis is through the direct inhibition of tumor suppressor genes; however, our studies highlight a new mechanism of oncomiR transformation through the combination of tumor suppressor gene inhibition and abrogation of immune surveillance that initiates and propagates tumor cell survival. Importantly, we found that miR-181a induction in human ovarian tumors is tightly associated with decreased IFNg response and downregulation of lymphocyte infiltration and leukocyte fraction. To date, DNA oncoviruses are the only known inhibitors of STING that allow for cellular transformation; thus, our findings are the first to identify a genetic factor, miR-181a, that can downregulate STING expression and impair signaling in cancer cells, creating a survival advantage. Our studies support the notion that the induction of STING-mediated signaling in cancer cells could lead directly to cancer cell death; however, these effects are abrogated by miR-181a. Given the recent interest in the development of STING agonists as a strategy to harness the immune system to treat cancer, this study introduces a novel patient-selective biomarker as well as potent therapeutic target for development of the most effective combination treatments. Citation Format: Matthew Knarr, Lily J. Kwiatkowski, Michele Dziubinski, Jessica McAnulty, Stephanie Skala, Stefanie Avril, Ronny Drapkin, Analisa DiFeo. miR-181a initiates and perpetuates oncogenic transformation through the regulation of innate immune signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 13-16, 2019; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(13_Suppl):Abstract nr B02.