Matrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancer

Abstract Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is not life threatening unless it transitions into invasive breast cancer (IBC). However, although breast cancer cell exposure to matrix stiffening in vitro phenotypically mimics the DCIS to IBC switch, the molecular changes driving this switch remains unclea...

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Main Authors: Feifei Yan, Sara Göransson, Helene Olofsson, Christos Vogiatzakis, Anagha Acharekar, Staffan Strömblad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Cell Communication and Signaling
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02276-y
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author Feifei Yan
Sara Göransson
Helene Olofsson
Christos Vogiatzakis
Anagha Acharekar
Staffan Strömblad
author_facet Feifei Yan
Sara Göransson
Helene Olofsson
Christos Vogiatzakis
Anagha Acharekar
Staffan Strömblad
author_sort Feifei Yan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is not life threatening unless it transitions into invasive breast cancer (IBC). However, although breast cancer cell exposure to matrix stiffening in vitro phenotypically mimics the DCIS to IBC switch, the molecular changes driving this switch remains unclear. Here, breast cancer cell kinome activity profiling suggested matrix stiffness-upregulation of 53 kinases, among which 16 kinases were also regulated by integrin β1. Functional validation identified matrix stiffness-activation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit epsilon (IKBKE) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8) signaling as critical for the stiffness-driven IBC phenotype, including for cell proliferation. The IKBKE-inhibitor Amlexanox, clinically utilized for aphthous ulcers, as well as the MAPK8 inhibitor JNK-IN-8, reinstalled the DCIS-like phenotype of breast cancer cells on high matrix stiffness. This suggests that IKBKE and/or MAPK8 inhibitors could enhance the arsenal of treatments to prevent or treat breast cancer.
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publisher BMC
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series Cell Communication and Signaling
spelling doaj-art-228e167cdf254f12af0a057c72d0a16a2025-08-20T03:10:34ZengBMCCell Communication and Signaling1478-811X2025-06-0123111210.1186/s12964-025-02276-yMatrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancerFeifei Yan0Sara Göransson1Helene Olofsson2Christos Vogiatzakis3Anagha Acharekar4Staffan Strömblad5Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska InstitutetAbstract Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is not life threatening unless it transitions into invasive breast cancer (IBC). However, although breast cancer cell exposure to matrix stiffening in vitro phenotypically mimics the DCIS to IBC switch, the molecular changes driving this switch remains unclear. Here, breast cancer cell kinome activity profiling suggested matrix stiffness-upregulation of 53 kinases, among which 16 kinases were also regulated by integrin β1. Functional validation identified matrix stiffness-activation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit epsilon (IKBKE) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8) signaling as critical for the stiffness-driven IBC phenotype, including for cell proliferation. The IKBKE-inhibitor Amlexanox, clinically utilized for aphthous ulcers, as well as the MAPK8 inhibitor JNK-IN-8, reinstalled the DCIS-like phenotype of breast cancer cells on high matrix stiffness. This suggests that IKBKE and/or MAPK8 inhibitors could enhance the arsenal of treatments to prevent or treat breast cancer.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02276-yMechanotransductionCellular signalingKinaseKinomeIntegrin
spellingShingle Feifei Yan
Sara Göransson
Helene Olofsson
Christos Vogiatzakis
Anagha Acharekar
Staffan Strömblad
Matrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancer
Cell Communication and Signaling
Mechanotransduction
Cellular signaling
Kinase
Kinome
Integrin
title Matrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancer
title_full Matrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancer
title_fullStr Matrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancer
title_full_unstemmed Matrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancer
title_short Matrix stiffness-induced IKBKE and MAPK8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from DCIS to invasive breast cancer
title_sort matrix stiffness induced ikbke and mapk8 signaling drives a phenotypic switch from dcis to invasive breast cancer
topic Mechanotransduction
Cellular signaling
Kinase
Kinome
Integrin
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02276-y
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