Angiotensin II promotes ovarian cancer spheroid formation and metastasis by upregulation of lipid desaturation and suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress

• Main Authors: Qingyu Zhang, Shan Yu, Melody Man Ting Lam, Terence Chuen Wai Poon, Litao Sun, Yufei Jiao, Alice Sze Tsai Wong, Leo Tsz On Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019-03-01
• Series: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
• Subjects: Angiotensin II; Ovarian cancer; Spheroid formation; Lipogenesis; Endoplasmic reticulum stress
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13046-019-1127-x

Abstract Background Angiotensin II (ANGII) and its receptor (AGTR1) have been proposed as significant contributors to metastasis in multiple cancers. Further, high AGTR1 levels are associated with poor epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) outcomes. However, the mechanistic basis for these effects is unknown. Recent studies have suggested that ovarian cancer metastasis is highly dependent on the formation of multicellular spheroids (MCS). To understand the associations between the ANGII/AGTR1 pathway and cancer outcomes, we evaluated the effects of ANGII on MCS formation by ovarian cancer cells and used a proteomic approach to analyze the mechanistic basis. Methods We used the data from the GENT database and immunohistochemistry staining to assess the AGTR1 expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and to assess its role in cancer progression. Colony formation assay, 3D culture assay, and transwell assays were used to analyze the effect of ANGII on the MCS formation and cell migration. The signaling pathways of AGTR1 and transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation were investigated by the western blotting analysis. Xenograft models were used to determine the role of AGTR1 in ovarian cancer metastasis. ANGII release from ovarian cancer cells and ANGII levels in the EOC ascites fluid were measured by immunoassay. A shotgun proteomic approach was used to explore the detail molecular mechanism. Modulation of lipid desaturation and endoplasmic reticulum stress were verified by the in vitro and in vivo functional assays. Results AGTR1 expression was negatively correlated with EOC prognosis. AGTR1activation significantly enhanced the MCS formation and cell migration. ANGII triggered both of the classical AGTR1 pathway and the EGFR transactivation. ANGII administration increased peritoneal metastasis. In addition, ovarian cancer cells secreted ANGII and enhanced cancer metastasis in a positive feedback manner. Based on the proteomic data, lipid desaturation was activated by induction of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), which suggests that inhibition of SCD1 may significantly reduce MCS formation by increasing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Conclusions ANGII promotes MCS formation and peritoneal metastasis of EOC cells. AGTR1 activation increases the lipid desaturation via SCD1 upregulation, which ultimately reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress in MCS. This mechanism explained the association between high levels of AGTR1 and poor clinical outcomes in EOC patients.