RHAMM Research Articles

Visualization of Ovarian Cancer Cells with Peptide VEGEGEEGEEY

The binding of peptide VEGEGEEGEEY to the surface of ovarian cancer cells was studied by confocal microscopy. It has been demonstrated that the peptide competes with hyaluronan for the binding to RHAMM (receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility). It was found that peptide VEGEGEEGEEY specifically bound to RHAMM on ovarian cancer cell surface, and this interaction was blocked by anti-RHAMM antibodies. The peptide did not bind to RHAMM-knockout fibroblasts RHAMM(–/–) but interacted with transfected fibroblasts RHAMM(+/+), which further confirms the binding of the peptide to RHAMM. Evaluation of the peptide binding selectivity showed that the peptide reacts with cancer cells and does not bind to the surface of fibroblasts and normal cells. Thus, the specificity of binding of peptide FITC-VEGEGEEGEEY to RHAMM suggests a possibility of its application as a molecular probe for imaging and diagnosis of ovarian cancer at early stages.

Pathway-Based Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Data Identified SNPs in HMMR as Biomarker for Chemotherapy- Induced Neutropenia in Breast Cancer Patients.

Neutropenia secondary to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients can be life-threatening and there are no biomarkers available to predict the risk of drug-induced neutropenia in those patients. We previously performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for neutropenia events in women with breast cancer who were treated with 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide and recruited to the SUCCESS-A trial. A genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) signal in the tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 13B (TNFSF13B) gene, encoding the cytokine B-cell activating factor (BAFF), was identified in that GWAS. Taking advantage of these existing GWAS data, in the present study we utilized a pathway-based analysis approach by leveraging knowledge of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and breast cancer pathophysiology to identify additional SNPs/genes associated with the underlying etiology of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. We identified three SNPs in the hyaluronan mediated motility receptor (HMMR) gene that were significantly associated with neutropenia (p < 1.0E-04). Those three SNPs were trans-expression quantitative trait loci for the expression of TNFSF13B (p < 1.0E-04). The minor allele of these HMMR SNPs was associated with a decreased TNFSF13B mRNA level. Additional functional studies performed with lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) demonstrated that LCLs possessing the minor allele for the HMMR SNPs were more sensitive to drug treatment. Knock-down of TNFSF13B in LCLs and HL-60 promyelocytic cells and treatment of those cells with BAFF modulated the cell sensitivity to chemotherapy treatment. These results demonstrate that HMMR SNP-dependent cytotoxicity of these chemotherapeutic agents might be related to TNFSF13B expression level. In summary, utilizing a pathway-based approach for the analysis of GWAS data, we identified additional SNPs in the HMMR gene that were associated with neutropenia and also were correlated with TNFSF13B expression.

Cell Cycle-Dependent Tumor Engraftment and Migration Are Enabled by Aurora-A.

Cell-cycle progression and the acquisition of a migratory phenotype are hallmarks of human carcinoma cells that are perceived as independent processes but may be interconnected by molecular pathways that control microtubule nucleation at centrosomes. Here, cell-cycle progression dramatically impacts the engraftment kinetics of 4T1-luciferase2 breast cancer cells in immunocompetent BALB/c or immunocompromised NOD-SCID gamma (NSG) mice. Multiparameter imaging of wound closure assays was used to track cell-cycle progression, cell migration, and associated phenotypes in epithelial cells or carcinoma cells expressing a fluorescence ubiquitin cell-cycle indicator. Cell migration occurred with an elevated velocity and directionality during the S-G2-phase of the cell cycle, and cells in this phase possess front-polarized centrosomes with augmented microtubule nucleation capacity. Inhibition of Aurora kinase-A (AURKA/Aurora-A) dampens these phenotypes without altering cell-cycle progression. During G2-phase, the level of phosphorylated Aurora-A at centrosomes is reduced in hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR)-silenced cells as is the nuclear transport of TPX2, an Aurora-A-activating protein. TPX2 nuclear transport depends upon HMMR-T703, which releases TPX2 from a complex with importin-α (KPNA2) at the nuclear envelope. Finally, the abundance of phosphorylated HMMR-T703, a substrate for Aurora-A, predicts breast cancer-specific survival and relapse-free survival in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative (n = 941), triple-negative (TNBC) phenotype (n = 538), or basal-like subtype (n = 293) breast cancers, but not in those patients with ER-positive breast cancer (n = 2,218). Together, these data demonstrate an Aurora-A/TPX2/HMMR molecular axis that intersects cell-cycle progression and cell migration.Implications: Tumor cell engraftment, migration, and cell-cycle progression share common regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton through the Aurora-A/TPX2/HMMR axis, which has the potential to influence the survival of patients with ER-negative breast tumors. Mol Cancer Res; 16(1); 16-31. ©2017 AACR.

Thymosin α1 Interacts with Hyaluronic Acid Electrostatically by Its Terminal Sequence LKEKK.

Thymosin α1 (Tα1), is a peptidic hormone, whose immune regulatory properties have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo and approved in different countries for treatment of several viral infections and cancers. Tα1 assumes a conformation in negative membranes upon insertion into the phosphatidylserine exposure as found in several pathologies and in apoptosis. These findings are in agreement with the pleiotropy of Tα1, which targets both normal and tumor cells, interacting with multiple cellular components, and have generated renewed interest in the topic. Hyaluronan (HA) occurs ubiquitously in the extracellular matrix and on cell surfaces and has been related to a variety of diseases, and developmental and physiological processes. Proteins binding HA, among them CD44 and the Receptor for HA-mediated motility (RHAMM) receptors, mediate its biological effects. NMR spectroscopy indicated preliminarily that an interaction of Tα1 with HA occurs specifically around lysine residues of the sequence LKEKK of Tα1 and is suggestive of a possible interference of Tα1 in the binding of HA with CD44 and RHAMM. Further studies are needed to deepen these observations because Tα1 is known to potentiate the T-cell immunity and anti-tumor effect. The binding inhibitory activity of Tα1 on HA-CD44 or HA-RHAMM interactions can suppress both T-cell reactivity and tumor progression.

Increased RHAMM expression relates to ovarian cancer progression

BackgroundElevated hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) has been reported to contribute to disease progression, aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in multiple cancer types, however, RHAMM’s role in ovarian cancer (OC) has not been elucidated. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the role for RHAMM in epithelial OC.ResultsDespite little to no expression in normal ovarian surface epithelium, western immunoblotting, immunohistochemical staining and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed elevated RHAMM levels in clinical tissue sections, omental metastasis and urine specimens of serous OC patients, as well as in cell lysates. We also found that RHAMM levels increase with increasing grade and stage in serous OC tissues and that RHAMM localizes to the apical cell surface and inclusion cysts. Apical localization of RHAMM suggested protein secretion which was validated by detection of significantly elevated urinary RHAMM levels (p < 0.0001) in OC patients (116.66 pg/mL) compared with normal controls (8.16 pg/mL). Likewise, urinary RHAMM levels decreased following cytoreductive surgery in OC patients suggesting the source of urinary RHAMM from tumor tissue. Lastly, we validated RHAMM levels in OC cell lysate and found at least 12× greater levels compared to normal ovarian surface epithelial cells.ConclusionThis pilot study shows, for the first time, that RHAMM may contribute to OC disease and could potentially be used as a prognostic marker.

COX-2/sEH dual inhibitor PTUPB suppresses glioblastoma growth by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and hyaluronan mediated motility receptor.

AimsCyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) dual inhibitor, PTUPB, has been demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis, primary tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of PTUPB on glioblastoma cells and xenograft model.ResultsWe show here that PTUPB inhibits glioblastoma cell proliferation and G1 phase cell cycle arrest in vitro, and suppresses the tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo. The expression and activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream kinases, ERK1/2 and AKT, are reduced by PTUPB, indicating that the EGF/EGFR signaling pathway is a potential target. Moreover, PTUPB dramatically suppresses expression of hyaluronan mediated motility receptor (HMMR) in the glioblastoma cell lines and xenograft mouse model, suggesting that the HMMR is the other potential target.Materials and MethodsCellular immunofluorescence assays were used for cell staining of actin fibers and HMMR. CCK-8 kit was used for cell proliferation assay. Cell-cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Quantitative real-time PCR assay was performed to test mRNA level. Western blot analysis was used to test protein expression. Immunohistochemical staining assay was used for xenograft tumor tissue staining of Ki-67, CD31 and HMMR. The SPSS version 17.0 software was applied for statistical analysis.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that PTUPB is a potential therapeutic agent to treat glioblastomas.

Hyaluronic acid enhances cell migration and invasion via the YAP1/TAZ-RHAMM axis in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Most malignant mesotheliomas (MPMs) frequently show activated forms of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), which transcriptionally regulates the receptor for hyaluronic acid-mediated motility (RHAMM). As RHAMM is involved in cell migration and invasion in various tumors, we speculated that hyaluronic acid (HA) in pleural fluid might affect the progression of mesothelioma by stimulating cell migration and invasion through RHAMM. The level of RHAMM expression was decreased by YAP1/TAZ knockdown, and conversely increased by forced expression of the active form of YAP1, suggesting that RHAMM was regulated by YAP1/TAZ in MPM cells. Cell migration and invasion were also decreased by YAP1/TAZ or RHAMM knockdown. Notably, HA treatment increased cell motility and invasion, and this was abolished by RHAMM knockdown, suggesting that HA may augment local progression of MPM cells via RHAMM. Furthermore, treatment with fluvastatin, which regulates RHAMM transcription by modulating YAP1/TAZ activity, decreased the motility and invasion of MPM cells. Collectively, these data suggest that HA is an “unfavorable” factor because it promotes malignancy in mesothelioma and that the YAP1/TAZ-RHAMM axis may have potential value as a therapeutic target for inhibition of disease progression in MPM.

Elucidating Mechanisms of Bladder Repair after Hyaluronan Instillation in Ketamine-Induced Ulcerative Cystitis in Animal Model

Ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis (KIC) initially damaged the bladder mucosa and induced contracted bladder thereafter. Hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid; HA) instillation to the bladder has been used to treat KIC. The present study investigated bladder injury by urothelial defect and HA degeneration and bladder repair by urothelium proliferation and differentiation. This work was based on the hypothesis that HA treatment altered the bladder urothelial layer and the expression of hyaluronan-metabolizing enzymes and/or HA receptors in KIC. Cystometrogram study and tracing analysis of voiding behavior revealed that the ketamine-treated rats exhibited significant bladder hyperactivity with an increase in micturition frequency and a decrease in bladder capacity. The expression of inflammatory and fibrosis markers was also increased in the ketamine-treated group. Moreover, ketamine administration decreased the expression of urothelial barrier-associated protein, altered HA production, and induced abnormal urothelial differentiation, which might attribute to urothelial lining defects. However, HA instillation ameliorated bladder hyperactivity, lessened bladder mucosa damage, and decreased interstitial fibrosis. HA instillation also improved the level of HA receptors (CD44, Toll-like receptor-4, and receptor for HA-mediated motility) and HA synthases 1 to 3 and decreased the expression of hyaluronidases in the urothelial layer of bladder, resulting in enhanced mucosal regeneration. These findings suggested that HA could modulate inflammatory responses, enhance mucosal regeneration, and improve urothelial lining defects in KIC.

The hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor RHAMM promotes growth, invasiveness and dissemination of colorectal cancer.

In colorectal cancer (CRC), RHAMM is an independent adverse prognostic factor. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate on the role of RHAMM as a potential direct driver of cell proliferation and migration in CRC cell lines and to identify pathways dependent on RHAMM in human CRC.Proliferation, cell cycle alterations and invasive capacity were tested in two RHAMM- and control- knockdown CRC cell lines by flow cytometry and in vitro assays. Tumorigenicity and metastasis formation was assessed in immunodeficient mice. RNA-Seq and immunohistochemistry was performed on six RHAMM+/- primary CRC tumors.In vitro, silencing of RHAMM inhibited CRC cell migration and invasion by 50% (p<0.01). In vivo, RHAMM knockdown resulted in slower growth, lower tumor size (p<0.001) and inhibition of metastasis (p<0.001). Patients with RHAMM-high CRC had a worse prognosis (p=0.040) and upregulated pathways for cell cycle progression and adhesion turnover.RHAMM overexpression is correlated with increased migration and invasion of CRC cells, leads to larger, fast growing tumors, and its downregulation essentially abolishes metastasis in mouse models. RHAMM is therefore a promising therapeutic target in all CRC stages as its inhibition affects growth and dissemination of the primary CRC as well as the metastases.

Hmmr mediates anterior neural tube closure and morphogenesis in the frog Xenopus

Development of the central nervous system requires orchestration of morphogenetic processes which drive elevation and apposition of the neural folds and their fusion into a neural tube. The newly formed tube gives rise to the brain in anterior regions and continues to develop into the spinal cord posteriorly. Conspicuous differences between the anterior and posterior neural tube become visible already during neural tube closure (NTC). Planar cell polarity (PCP)-mediated convergent extension (CE) movements are restricted to the posterior neural plate, i.e. hindbrain and spinal cord, where they propagate neural fold apposition. The lack of CE in the anterior neural plate correlates with a much slower mode of neural fold apposition anteriorly. The morphogenetic processes driving anterior NTC have not been addressed in detail. Here, we report a novel role for the breast cancer susceptibility gene and microtubule (MT) binding protein Hmmr (Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor, RHAMM) in anterior neurulation and forebrain development in Xenopus laevis. Loss of hmmr function resulted in a lack of telencephalic hemisphere separation, arising from defective roof plate formation, which in turn was caused by impaired neural tissue narrowing. hmmr regulated polarization of neural cells, a function which was dependent on the MT binding domains. hmmr cooperated with the core PCP component vangl2 in regulating cell polarity and neural morphogenesis. Disrupted cell polarization and elongation in hmmr and vangl2 morphants prevented radial intercalation (RI), a cell behavior essential for neural morphogenesis. Our results pinpoint a novel role of hmmr in anterior neural development and support the notion that RI is a major driving force for anterior neurulation and forebrain morphogenesis.

Inhibition of cancer cell invasiveness by synthetic peptides GEGEEGEE and DFGEEAEE

The ability of two synthetic peptides GEGEEGEE and DFGEEAEE to inhibit the invasiveness of tumor cells has been studied. Using confocal microscopy, it was demonstrated that these peptides specifically bind to receptor for hyaluronic acid mediated motility (RHAMM) on the prostate cancer cell surface. Effect of peptides on invadopodia formation in cancer cells was studied by fluorescent gelatin degradation. Using confocal microscopy, images of the cells were obtained and the degree of their invasiveness was analyzed by assessing the gelatin degradation area using ImageJ software. It was found that pre-incubation of tumor cells with the peptides at a concentration of 40 μg/mL (2 × 10–7 M) inhibited the invasiveness by more than 80%. Thus, it was shown that peptides GEGEEGEE and DFGEEAEE may be potential antitumor agents.

Receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM/HMMR) is a novel target for promoting subcutaneous adipogenesis.

Hyaluronan, CD44 and the Receptor for Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility (RHAMM, gene name HMMR) regulate stem cell differentiation including mesenchymal progenitor differentiation. Here, we show that CD44 expression is required for subcutaneous adipogenesis, whereas RHAMM expression suppresses this process. We designed RHAMM function blocking peptides to promote subcutaneous adipogenesis as a clinical and tissue engineering tool. Adipogenic RHAMM peptides were identified by screening for their ability to promote adipogenesis in culture assays using rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, mouse pre-adipocyte cell lines and primary human subcutaneous pre-adipocytes. Oil red O uptake into fat droplets and adiponectin production were used as biomarkers of adipogenesis. Positive peptides were formulated in either collagen I or hyaluronan (Orthovisc) gels then assessed for their adipogenic potential in vivo following injection into dorsal rat skin and mammary fat pads. Fat content was quantified and characterized using micro CT imaging, morphometry, histology, RT-PCR and ELISA analyses of adipogenic gene expression. Injection of screened peptides increased dorsal back subcutaneous fat pad area (208.3 ± 10.4 mm2versus control 84.11 ± 4.2 mm2; p < 0.05) and mammary fat pad size (45 ± 11 mg above control background, p = 0.002) in female rats. This effect lasted >5 weeks as detected by micro CT imaging and perilipin 1 mRNA expression. RHAMM expression suppresses while blocking peptides promote expression of PPARγ, C/EBP and their target genes. Blocking RHAMM function by peptide injection or topical application is a novel and minimally invasive method for potentially promoting subcutaneous adipogenesis in lipodystrophic diseases and a complementary tool to subcutaneous fat augmentation techniques.

Expression and purification of RHC–EGFP fusion protein and its application in hyaluronic acid assay

ABSTRACTHyaluronan is a widely distributed glycosaminoglycan which has multiple functions. Hyaluronic acid (HA) accumulation has been reported in many human diseases. Understanding the role of hyaluronan and its binding proteins in the pathobiology of disease will facilitate the development of novel therapeutics for many critical diseases. Current techniques described for the analysis of HA are mainly for HA quantification in solutions, not for the direct detection of HA in tissues or on cell surfaces. In our study, a fusion protein, named C-terminal domain of RHAMM–enhanced green fluorescence protein (RHC–EGFP), combined the HA-binding domain, C-terminal of receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility, with EGFP, a widely used enhanced green fluorescence protein, was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli with high purity. Based on the sensitivity and convenience of fluorescence detection, methods for direct assay of HA in solutions, on cell surface or in tissues were established using RHC–EGFP. The binding specificity was also confirmed by competitive binding experiment and hyaluronidase degradation experiment. Our results provide an alternative choice for the specific and convenient assay of HA in various samples, and maybe helpful for further understanding of the fundamental and comprehensive functions of HA.

HMMR antisense RNA 1, a novel long noncoding RNA, regulates the progression of basal-like breast cancer cells.

Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) is an essential cancer-related gene in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). In our study, HMMR antisense RNA 1 (HMMR-AS1) was analyzed in BLBC patients through polymerase chain reaction analysis. Here, we found that the expression of HMMR was positively correlated with HMMR-AS1 (RP11-80G.1). When HMMR-AS1 (RP11-80G.1) was knocked down, the expression of HMMR markedly reduced. Furthermore, in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells, the proliferation and migration abilities were remarkably suppressed via knocking down HMMR-AS1 (RP11-80G.1) in vitro. The results showed that lncRNA HMMR-AS1 (RP11-80G.1) influenced the progression of BLBCs through regulating HMMR, suggesting that HMMR-AS1 (RP11-80G.1) could be regarded as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in the treatment of BLBCs in future.

The tumor-associated antigen RHAMM (HMMR/CD168) is expressed by monocyte-derived dendritic cells and presented to T cells

We formerly demonstrated that vaccination with Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1)-loaded autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mo-DCs) can be a well-tolerated effective treatment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Here, we investigated whether we could introduce the receptor for hyaluronic acid-mediated motility (RHAMM/HMMR/CD168), another clinically relevant tumor-associated antigen, into these mo-DCs through mRNA electroporation and elicit RHAMM-specific immune responses. While RHAMM mRNA electroporation significantly increased RHAMM protein expression by mo-DCs, our data indicate that classical mo-DCs already express and present RHAMM at sufficient levels to activate RHAMM-specific T cells, regardless of electroporation. Moreover, we found that RHAMM-specific T cells are present at vaccination sites in AML patients. Our findings implicate that we and others who are using classical mo-DCs for cancer immunotherapy are already vaccinating against RHAMM.

CD44 Deficiency Is Associated with Increased Susceptibility to Stress-Induced Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice.

CD44 is a cell surface adhesion molecule and its principal ligand is hyaluronic acid (HA), a key component of the brain's extracellular matrix. CD44 levels are decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of depressed individuals, and the CD44 gene has been identified in genome wide association study as a possible risk gene in suicidal behavior. In order to define the pathobiological mechanisms by which CD44 may affect behavior, we investigated the role of CD44 using male CD44 knockout (CD44KO) and wild-type mice that underwent chronic mild stress (CMS). Behavior was characterized using the sucrose preference and forced swim tests, open field, novel object recognition, social preference, and the elevated plus maze tests. Gene expression in hippocampus was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Brain monoamines and their metabolites were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography and serum HA and IL-1β levels were measured using ELISA and electrochemiluminescence assays. CD44KO mice were more susceptible to stress-induced anxiety-like behavior and displayed increased anhedonia and despair than the wild-type controls. The behavioral phenotype of stressed CD44KO mice was associated with reduced cortical serotonergic and striatal dopaminergic turnover. The hippocampal expression of the receptor for HA-mediated motility (RHAMM) was reduced in the non- stressed CD44KO mice compared with WT mice, in a value similar to that observed in WT mice following exposure to stress. Taken together, our experiments suggest that CD44 plays a key role in stress response in mice.

CD44 and RHAMM are essential for rapid growth of bladder cancer driven by loss of Glycogen Debranching Enzyme (AGL).

BackgroundLoss of Amylo-alpha-1-6-glucosidase-4-alpha-glucanotransferase (AGL) drives rapid proliferation of bladder cancer cells by upregulating Hyaluronic acid(HA) Synthase (HAS2) mediated HA synthesis. However the role of HA receptors CD44 and Hyaluronan Mediated Motility Receptor (RHAMM) in regulating the growth of bladder cancer cells driven by loss of AGL has not been studied.MethodsWestern blot analysis and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay was carried out to study cellular apoptosis with HAS2, CD44 and RHAMM loss in bladder cancer cells with and without AGL expression. Proliferation and softagar assays were carried out to study cellular anchorage dependent and independent growth. Clinicopathologic analysis was carried out on bladder cancer patient datasets.ResultsHigher amounts of cleaved Cas3, Cas9 and PARP was observed in AGL low bladder cancer cell with loss of HAS2, CD44 or RHAMM. TUNEL staining showed more apoptotic cells with loss of HAS2, CD44 or RHAMM in AGL low bladder cancer cells. This revealed that bladder cancer cells whose aggressive growth is mediated by loss of AGL are susceptible to apoptosis with loss of HAS2, CD44 or RHAMM. Interestingly loss of either CD44 or RHAMM induces apoptosis in different low AGL expressing bladder cancer cell lines. Growth assays showed that loss of CD44 and RHAMM predominantly inhibit anchorage dependent and independent growth of AGL low bladder cancer cells. Clinicopathologic analysis revealed that high RHAMM mRNA expression is a marker of poor patient outcome in bladder cancer and patients with high RHAMM and low AGL tumor mRNA expression have poor survival.ConclusionOur findings strongly point to the importance of the HAS2-HA-CD44/RHAMM pathway for rapid growth of bladder cancer cells with loss of AGL and provides rational for targeting this pathway at various steps for “personalized” treatment of bladder cancer patients based of their AGL expression status.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2756-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Abstract 444: Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) in ovarian cancer

Abstract This study focuses on Hyaluronan Mediated Motility Receptor (RHAMM) protein expression in ovarian carcinoma (OC). RHAMM protein increases migration, invasion and is associated with poor prognosis when overexpressed. It is a dualistic oncogenic protein located within and on the cell surface acting as a receptor for Hyaluronan (HA). RHAMM is not generally overexpressed in normal tissues, but is upregulated in a number of cancers and is associated with poor clinical outcome. However, the role of RHAMM in OC progression is unknown. Hypothesis: Elevated RHAMM levels promote OC progression and represent a novel urinary biomarker for OC. Procedures: Measuring RHAMM expression in OC cell protein lysate and conditioned media (CM) was done by western blot (WB) and densitometry. With institution approval, patient cohort urine from male and female healthy controls and patients with cancer of the ovary, lung, breast, prostate, cervix, colorectum, skin, endometrium, head and neck, and brain were acquired from the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center at the University of South Florida. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed for RHAMM detection, was used to measure patient urine expression levels. Results: Cultured OC cells overexpress and secrete RHAMM. Using OC, SV-40 large T-antigen transfected human ovarian surface epithelial (IOSE) cells (HIO118, IOSE-121) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF), we found &amp;gt;2x the expression of RHAMM protein in BC (MCF7) and OC (OVCAR5, OV2008, C13) cells by WB. WB of CM indicated &amp;gt;3x RHAMM levels secreted by OC compared to IOSE cells. Urinary levels of RHAMM are elevated in OC patients. Since RHAMM is not an integral membrane protein, but rather loosely tethered to the plasma membrane, we determined whether RHAMM could be detected in bodily fluids of OC patients. ELISA showed detection of urinary RHAMM protein levels averaged 0.140 ng/ml (n = 26) in healthy patient controls whereas OC patients averaged 0.411 ng/ml (n = 132). Conclusions: Prior to this study, overexpression and secretion of RHAMM by OC cells had not been reported. This has expanded our knowledge of OC etiology by delineating a functional role for RHAMM-driven OC progression. Validating elevated urinary levels of RHAMM suggests it is a potential diagnostic marker alone or in combination with other markers for OC detection. Further, the ability to monitor OC through the course of disease using urinary RHAMM levels could indicate recurrent disease or therapeutic efficacy. Understanding RHAMM expression in OC may lead to a possible diagnostic/prognostic indicator or therapeutic target for OC. Citation Format: Stephanie Buttermore, Patricia Kruk. Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) in ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 444.

Expression of the receptor for hyaluronic acid mediated motility (RHAMM) is associated with poor prognosis and metastasis in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

The receptor for hyaluronic acid-mediated motility (RHAMM) is upregulated in various cancers, but its role in primary and metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) remains to be determined. Here, we investigate the clinical relevance of RHAMM expression in NSCLC. RHAMM protein expression correlates with histological differentiation stages and extent of the primary tumor (T stages) in 156 patients with primary NSCLC. Importantly, while focal RHAMM staining pattern is present in 57% of primary NSCLC, intense RHAMM protein expression is present in 96% of metastatic NSCLC cases. In a publicly available database, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), RHAMM mRNA expression is 12- and 10-fold higher in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous lung carcinoma than in matched normal lung tissues, respectively. RHAMM mRNA expression correlates with stages of differentiation and inferior survival in more than 400 cases of lung adenocarcinoma in the Director's Challenge cohort. Of 4 RHAMM splice variants, RHAMMv3 (also known as RHAMMB) is the dominant variant in NSCLC. Moreover, shRNA-mediated knockdown of RHAMM reduced the migratory ability of two lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, H1975 and H3255. Taken together, RHAMM, most likely RHAMMv3 (RHAMMB), can serve as a prognostic factor for lung adenocarcinomas and a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC to inhibit tumor migration.

Hyaluronan/Hyaladherins - a Promising Axis for Targeted Drug Delivery in Cancer.

Hyaluronan (HA), a glycosaminoglycan, is a key extracellular matrix (ECM) component, and has been established to contribute to fibrotic, angiogenic, inflammatory as well as processes supporting cancer development. The changes in HA deposition in different tumors have been widely studied. Indeed, a multitude of reports demonstrate that HA expression is increased in different neoplasmatic tissues including lung, colon, prostate and breast cancer. The aims of this paper are to critically and in depth discuss aspects of HA metabolism in cancer and recent developments of its utilization in cancer therapy. Up to date research and online content are reviewed. The cellular roles of HA are perpetrated through molecular interactions with HA-binding proteins, called hyaladherins, including CD44 receptor as well as receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM). HA binding can be followed by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Importantly, hyaladherins show an altered expression in tumor tissues. Indeed, post-translational alterations in CD44 structure have been suggested to regulate the equilibrium between the "inactive" low affinity state and the "active" high affinity state of the HA binding capacity. In this concept HA fragments can be utilized as specific targeting ligands for efficient and safe drug delivery in cancer. HA-drug bioconjugates and nanoparticles have emerged as a promising platform for drug delivery during cancer treatment as demonstrated in various pre-clinical studies. Recent developments from clinical trials indicate that the utilization of specific HA-drug bioconjugates might be approved for the medical practice in the nearest future.