Stromal NRG1 in luminal breast cancer defines pro-fibrotic and migratory cancer-associated fibroblasts

Oncogene. 2021 Apr;40(15):2651-2666. doi: 10.1038/s41388-021-01719-3. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Abstract

HER3 is highly expressed in luminal breast cancer subtypes. Its activation by NRG1 promotes activation of AKT and ERK1/2, contributing to tumour progression and therapy resistance. HER3-targeting agents that block this activation, are currently under phase 1/2 clinical studies, and although they have shown favorable tolerability, their activity as a single agent has proven to be limited. Here we show that phosphorylation and activation of HER3 in luminal breast cancer cells occurs in a paracrine manner and is mediated by NRG1 expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Moreover, we uncover a HER3-independent NRG1 signaling in CAFs that results in the induction of a strong migratory and pro-fibrotic phenotype, describing a subtype of CAFs with elevated expression of NRG1 and an associated transcriptomic profile that determines their functional properties. Finally, we identified Hyaluronan Synthase 2 (HAS2), a targetable molecule strongly correlated with NRG1, as an attractive player supporting NRG1 signaling in CAFs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neuregulin-1 / metabolism*
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • NRG1 protein, human
  • Neuregulin-1