H-Ras activation and fibroblast-induced TGF-β signaling promote laminin-332 accumulation and invasion in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common metastatic skin cancer, with increasing incidence worldwide. The molecular basis of cSCC progression to invasive and metastatic disease is still incompletely understood. Here, we show that fibroblasts and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling promote laminin-332 synthesis in cancer cells in an activated H-Ras-dependent manner, which in turn promotes cancer cell invasion. Immunohistochemical analysis of sporadic UV-induced invasive human cSCCs (n = 208) revealed prominent cSCC cell specific immunostaining for laminin-332 γ2 chain, located in the majority of cases (90%, n = 173) in the invasive edge of the tumors. To mimic the progression of cSCC we established 3D spheroid cocultures using primary skin fibroblasts and HaCaT/ras-HaCaT human keratinocytes. Our results indicate that in 3D spheroids, unlike in monolayer cultures, TGF-β upregulates laminin-332 production, but only in cells that harbour oncogenic H-Ras. Accumulation of laminin-332 was prevented by both H-Ras knock down and inhibition of TGF-β signaling by SB431542 or RAdKD-ALK5 kinase-defective adenovirus. Furthermore, fibroblasts accelerated the invasion of ras-HaCaT cells through collagen I gels in a Ras/TGF-β signaling dependent manner. In conclusion, we demonstrate the presence of laminin-332 in the invasive front of cSCC tumors and report a new Ras/TGF-β-dependent mechanism that promotes laminin-332 accumulation and cancer cell invasion.