Formation of tissue factor-factor VIIa-factor Xa complex induces activation of the mTOR pathway which regulates migration of human breast cancer cells

Thromb Haemost. 2008 Jul;100(1):127-33. doi: 10.1160/TH07-12-0722.

Abstract

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that initiates blood coagulation when complexed with activated factor VII (FVIIa). TF is constitutively expressed in a variety of tumor cells and has been implicated in cellular signaling, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. Formation of TF-FVIIa complex and generation of downstream coagulation proteases, including activated factor X (FXa) and thrombin, initiate signaling by activation of protease-activated receptors (PARs). We have previously shown that TF-FVIIa-Xa complex formation promotes phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt/protein kinase B in human breast cancer cells. In the present study, we show that formation of TF-FVIIa-FXa complex induces phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70 S6 kinase in a human breast cancer cell line, Adr-MCF-7. Activation of the mTOR pathway, which is probably mediated by PAR1 and/or PAR2, was associated with enhanced cell migration, a key step in the metastatic cascade. Inhibition of this pathway with the specific mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, markedly decreased cell migration induced by formation of TF-FVIIa-FXa complex. These studies suggest that TF-FVIIa-mediated signaling modulates mTOR pathway activation, which regulates in part breast cancer cell migration. Targeting the TF-mediated cell signaling pathway might represent a novel strategy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement* / drug effects
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • Factor VIIa / metabolism*
  • Factor Xa / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinases / drug effects
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Receptor, PAR-1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, PAR-2 / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa / metabolism
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Thromboplastin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chromones
  • Morpholines
  • Peptides
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptor, PAR-1
  • Receptor, PAR-2
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • Thromboplastin
  • Protein Kinases
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70kD, polypeptide 1
  • Factor VIIa
  • Factor Xa
  • Sirolimus