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Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate (DMBA-TPA)
Published on: December 19, 2019
TLR4-mediated skin carcinogenesis is dependent on immune and radioresistant cells
Deepak Mittal1, Fabiana Saccheri, Emilie Vénéreau
1Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
Skin cancers are the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Understanding what are the factors contributing to skin tumour development can be instrumental to identify preventive therapies. The myeloid differentiation primary response gene (MyD)88, the downstream adaptor protein of most Toll-like receptors (TLR), has been shown to be involved in several mouse tumourigenesis models. We show here that TLR4, but not TLR2 or TLR9, is upstream of MyD88 in skin tumourigenesis. TLR4 triggering is not dependent on lipopolysaccharide associated to skin-colonizing bacteria, but on the high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), an endogenous ligand of TLR4. HMGB1 is released by necrotic keratinocytes and is required for the recruitment of inflammatory cells and for the initiation of inflammation. The expression of TLR4 on both bone marrow-derived and radioresistant cells is necessary for carcinogenesis. Consistently, a human tissue microarray analysis showed that melanoma and colon cancer display an over-expression of TLR4 and its downstream adaptor protein MyD88 within tumours. Together, our results suggest that the initial release of HMGB1 triggers a TLR4-dependent inflammatory response that leads to tumour development.
Insights
High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) triggers Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent inflammation, driving skin tumor development. This pathway involves myeloid differentiation primary response gene (MyD)88 and is crucial for skin carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Skin cancers are the most common cancers globally.
- Understanding skin tumor development factors is key for preventive therapies.
- Myeloid differentiation primary response gene (MyD)88 is implicated in various tumor models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and MyD88 in skin carcinogenesis.
- To identify the specific TLRs and initiating factors involved in skin tumor development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse models to study skin tumor development.
- Investigated the upstream regulators of MyD88 in skin carcinogenesis.
- Analyzed human tissue microarrays of melanoma and colon cancer.
Main Results:
- Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), not TLR2 or TLR9, is upstream of MyD88 in skin tumor development.
- TLR4 activation is mediated by high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), released by necrotic keratinocytes, not bacterial lipopolysaccharide.
- HMGB1 initiates inflammation by recruiting inflammatory cells.
- TLR4 expression on both bone marrow-derived and radioresistant cells is essential for carcinogenesis.
- Human melanoma and colon cancer tissues overexpress TLR4 and MyD88.
Conclusions:
- The release of HMGB1 by damaged cells initiates a TLR4-dependent inflammatory cascade.
- This inflammatory response is a critical driver of skin tumor development.
- Targeting the HMGB1-TLR4-MyD88 axis may offer novel therapeutic strategies for skin cancer prevention.
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