BM-MSCs-derived ECM modifies multiple myeloma phenotype and drug response in a source-dependent manner

Multiple myeloma (MM) malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow (BM) where their interaction with the microenvironment promotes disease progression and drug resistance. Previously, we have shown that MM cells cocultured with BM-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) comodulated cells' phenotype in a MAPKs/translation initiation (TI)-dependent manner. Dissection of the coculture model showed that BM-MSCs secretomes and microvesicles (MVs) participate in this crosstalk. Here, we addressed the role of the BM-MSCs extracellular matrix (ECM). MM cell lines cultured on decellularized ECM of normal donors' (ND) or MM patients' BM-MSCs were assayed for phenotype (viability, cell count, death, proliferation, migration, and invasion), microRNAs (MIR125a-3p, MIR199a-3p) and targets, MAPKs, TI epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), CXCR4, and autophagy. Drug (doxorubicin, velcade) response of MM cells cultured on ND/MM-MSCs' ECM with/without adhered MVs was also evaluated. ECM evoked opposite responses according to its origin: MM cells cultured on ND-MSCs' ECM demonstrated a rapid and continued decrease in MAPK/TI activation (↓10%-25%, P < 0.05) (15-24 hours) followed by diminished viability, cell count, proliferation, migration, and invasion (16-72 hours) (↓10%-50%, P < 0.05). In contrast, MM cells cultured on MM-MSCs' ECM displayed activated MAPK/TI, proliferation, EMT, and CXCR4 (↑15%-250%, P < 0.05). Corresponding changes in microRNAs relevant to the MM cells' altered phenotype were also determined. The hierarchy and interdependence of MAPKs/TI/autophagy/phenotype cascade were demonstrated. Finally, we showed that the ECM cooperates with MVs to modulate MM cells drug response. These data demonstrate the contribution of BM-MSCs' ECM to MM niche design and underscore the clinical potential of identifying targetable signals.