High levels of type VII collagen expression in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma keratinocytes increases PI3K and MAPK signalling, cell migration and invasion

Background Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of inherited skin fragility diseases varying in severity from mild scarring to infant mortality. Great efforts are being undertaken to develop therapeutic strategies to treat the more pernicious forms of this disease, particularly those associated with recessive, loss-of-function mutations. In such cases significant effort is directed toward delivering recombinant protein at levels sufficient to demonstrate clinical benefit. Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) predisposes patients to a high incidence of lifethreatening cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Mutations in the gene encoding type VII collagen, COL7A1, are the sole cause of this disease and conflicting reports concerning type VII collagen and COL7A1 in carcinogenesis exist. Objectives To investigate potential oncogenic effects of expressing recombinant type VII collagen in patient cells. Methods We used retroviral transduction to introduce type VII collagen into keratinocytes derived from patients with and without RDEB. Results Retroviral expression of type VII collagen in cSCC keratinocytes established from patients with RDEB resulted in increased cell adhesion, migration and invasion coupled with a concurrent increase in PI3K and MAPK signalling. Conclusions Our data suggest caution when formulating strategies where delivery of type VII collagen is likely to exceed levels seen under normal physiological conditions in a patient group with a higher inherent risk of developing skin cancer.