Notch signaling mediates melanoma-endothelial cell communication and melanoma cell migration

Jason D. Howard, Whei F. Moriarty, Jinseok Park, Katherine Riedy, Izabela P. Panova, Christine H. Chung, Kahp Yang Suh, Andre Levchenko, Rhoda M. Alani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Summary: Stromal and cellular components within the tumor microenvironment significantly influence molecular signals mediating tumor growth and progression. We recently performed a screen to evaluate critical mediators of melanoma-endothelial communication and identified several molecular pathways associated with these cellular networks, including Notch3. Here, we evaluate the nature of melanoma-endothelial communication mediated by Notch3 and its functional significance. We find that Notch3 is specifically upregulated in melanoma-endothelial cell cocultures and is functionally associated with increased Notch signaling in melanoma cells. Furthermore, induced Notch3 signaling in melanoma cell lines leads to enhanced tumor cell migration without associated increases in tumor cell growth. Additionally, Notch3 expression is specifically associated with malignant patient samples and is not evident in benign nevi. We conclude that Notch3 mediates melanoma-endothelial cell communication and tumor cell migration and may serve as a meaningful therapeutic target for this aggressive malignancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)697-707
Number of pages11
JournalPigment Cell and Melanoma Research
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013

Keywords

  • Endothelial cells
  • Melanoma
  • Notch3
  • Tumormicroenvironment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Notch signaling mediates melanoma-endothelial cell communication and melanoma cell migration'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this