Novel alternatively spliced ADAM8 isoforms contribute to the aggressive bone metastatic phenotype of lung cancer

ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) are transmembrane proteins involved in a variety of physiological processes and tumorigenesis. Recently, ADAM8 has been associated with poor prognosis of lung cancer. However, its contribution to tumorigenesis in the context of lung cancer metastasis remains unknown. Native ADAM8 expression levels were lower in lung cancer cell lines. In contrast, we identified and characterized two novel spliced isoforms encoding truncated proteins, Delta 18a and Delta 14', which were present in several tumor cell lines and not in normal cells. Overexpression of Delta 18a protein resulted in enhanced invasive activity in vitro. ADAM8 and its Delta 14' isoform expression levels were markedly increased in lung cancer cells, in conditions mimicking tumor microenvironment. Moreover, addition of supernatants from Delta 14'-overexpressing cells resulted in a significant increase in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase+ cells in osteoclast cultures in vitro. These findings were associated with increased pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6 protein levels. Furthermore, lung cancer cells overexpressing Delta 14' increased prometastatic activity with a high tumor burden and increased osteolysis in a murine model of bone metastasis. Thus, the expression of truncated forms of ADAM8 by the lung cancer cells may result in the specific upregulation of their invasive and osteoclastogenic activities in the bone microenvironment. These findings suggest a novel mechanism of tumor-induced osteolysis in metastatic bone colonization. Oncogene (2010) 29, 3758-3769; doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.130; published online 10 May 2010