Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Combined with Biological Validation Reveals Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Contributing to Trastuzumab Resistance in Gastric Cancer

• Main Authors: Wenhu Liu, Jiangbei Yuan, Zhenzhong Liu, Jianwu Zhang, Jinxia Chang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: gastric cancer; trastuzumab resistance; Wnt/β-catenin pathway; EMT; label-free quantitative proteomics
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/7/1981

Resistance to trastuzumab, which specifically target HER2-positive breast and gastric cancer, can develop ultimately in cancer patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of resistance in gastric cancer have not been fully elucidated. Here, we established trastuzumab-resistant MKN45 and NCI N87 gastric cancer sublines from their parental cells. The resistant cells exhibited characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acquired higher migratory and invasive capacities. To exploit the activated pathways and develop new strategies to overcome trastuzumab resistance, we investigated MKN45 and MKN45/R cells via label-free quantitative proteomics, and found pathways that were altered significantly in MKN45/R cells, with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway being the most significant. We further confirmed the activation of this pathway by detecting its key molecules in MKN45/R and NCI N87/R cells via Western blot, in which Wnt3A, FZD6, and CTNNB1 increased, whereas GSK-3β decreased, manifesting the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Correspondingly, inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway by ICG-001, a specific Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, preferentially reduced proliferation and invasion of trastuzumab-resistant cells and reversed EMT. Concurringly, CTNNB1 knockdown in stable cell lines potently sensitized cells to trastuzumab and induced more apoptosis. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway mediates trastuzumab resistance, and the combination of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with trastuzumab may be an effective treatment option.