Proteomic Screens for Suppressors of Anoikis Identify IL1RAP as a Promising Surface Target in Ewing Sarcoma.

Abstract

Cancer cells must overcome anoikis (detachment-induced death) to successfully metastasize. Using proteomic screens, we found that distinct oncoproteins upregulate IL1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) to suppress anoikis. IL1RAP is directly induced by oncogenic fusions of Ewing sarcoma, a highly metastatic childhood sarcoma. IL1RAP inactivation triggers anoikis and impedes metastatic dissemination of Ewing sarcoma cells. Mechanistically, IL1RAP binds the cell-surface system Xc - transporter to enhance exogenous cystine uptake, thereby replenishing cysteine and the glutathione antioxidant. Under cystine depletion, IL1RAP induces cystathionine gamma lyase (CTH) to activate the transsulfuration pathway for de novo cysteine synthesis. Therefore, IL1RAP maintains cyst(e)ine and glutathione pools, which are vital for redox homeostasis and anoikis resistance. IL1RAP is minimally expressed in pediatric and adult normal tissues, and human anti-IL1RAP antibodies induce potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of Ewing sarcoma cells. Therefore, we define IL1RAP as a new cell-surface target in Ewing sarcoma, which is potentially exploitable for immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Here, we identify cell-surface protein IL1RAP as a key driver of metastasis in Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive childhood sarcoma. Minimal expression in pediatric and adult normal tissues nominates IL1RAP as a promising target for immunotherapy.See related commentary by Yoon and DeNicola, p. 2679.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2659.

• Authors: Hai-Feng Zhang, Christopher S Hughes, Wei Li, Jian-Zhong He, Didier Surdez, Amal M El-Naggar, Hongwei Cheng, Anna Prudova, Alberto Delaidelli, Gian Luca Negri, Xiaojun Li, Maj Sofie Ørum-Madsen, Michael M Lizardo, Htoo Zarni Oo, Shane Colborne, Taras Shyp, Renata Scopim-Ribeiro, Colin A Hammond, Anne-Chloe Dhez, Sofya Langman, Jonathan K M Lim, Sonia H Y Kung, Amy Li, Anne Steino, Mads Daugaard, Seth J Parker, Ramon I Klein Geltink, Rimas J Orentas, Li-Yan Xu, Gregg B Morin, Olivier Delattre, Dimiter S Dimitrov, Poul H Sorensen
• Journal: Cancer discovery (Cancer Discov) Vol. 11 Issue 11 Pg. 2884-2903 (11 2021) ISSN: 2159-8290 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34021002 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: ©2021 The Authors; Published by the American Association for Cancer Research.

Chemical References

• IL1RAP protein, human
• Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein
• Receptors, Interleukin-1

Topics

• Adult
• Anoikis
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Child
• Humans
• Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein
• Proteomics
• Receptors, Interleukin-1
• Sarcoma, Ewing (genetics, metabolism, pathology)