Transient Nuclear Envelope Rupture during Cell Migration: A Cause of Genomic Instability and a Novel Opportunity for Therapeutic Intervention

Abstract

We have demonstrated that the physical stress associated with confined cancer cell migration can result in transient nuclear envelope rupture in vitro and in vivo, and that the nuclear deformation and nuclear envelope rupture result in nuclear fragmentation and DNA damage. We were able to further show that ESCRT-III proteins play a critical role in the nuclear envelope repair, and that depleting or inhibiting ESCRT-III and associated proteins delays nuclear envelope repair. In addition, we showed that exposure of genomic DNA to the cytoplasm following nuclear envelope rupture activates the cGAS/STING pathway and promotes cancer metastasis. Inhibition of the cGAS/STING pathway or preventing nuclear envelope rupture by overexpression of lamin B2 significantly reduced metastasis in a mouse xenograft model. These findings suggest that targeting these pathways could be a potential therapeutic approach to prevent or reduce metastasis. During the current project period, our work on this project has so far resulted in 7 peer-reviewed publications (plus one currently in revision), as well as 13seminar, conference or poster presentations by the PI or students/postdocs from the PIs laboratory. All tasks have been completed according to or ahead of the schedule listed in the original SOW.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2019
Accession Number
AD1095417

Entities

People

  • Jan Lammerding

Organizations

  • Cornell University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Genetics
  • Health Services
  • Mechanics
  • Stem Cells

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security