Mena invasive (MenaINV) promotes multicellular streaming motility and transendothelial migration in a mouse model of breast cancer

J Cell Sci. 2011 Jul 1;124(Pt 13):2120-31. doi: 10.1242/jcs.086231.

Abstract

We have shown previously that distinct Mena isoforms are expressed in invasive and migratory tumor cells in vivo and that the invasion isoform (Mena(INV)) potentiates carcinoma cell metastasis in murine models of breast cancer. However, the specific step of metastatic progression affected by this isoform and the effects on metastasis of the Mena11a isoform, expressed in primary tumor cells, are largely unknown. Here, we provide evidence that elevated Mena(INV) increases coordinated streaming motility, and enhances transendothelial migration and intravasation of tumor cells. We demonstrate that promotion of these early stages of metastasis by Mena(INV) is dependent on a macrophage-tumor cell paracrine loop. Our studies also show that increased Mena11a expression correlates with decreased expression of colony-stimulating factor 1 and a dramatically decreased ability to participate in paracrine-mediated invasion and intravasation. Our results illustrate the importance of paracrine-mediated cell streaming and intravasation on tumor cell dissemination, and demonstrate that the relative abundance of Mena(INV) and Mena11a helps to regulate these key stages of metastatic progression in breast cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration*

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Enah protein, mouse
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor