Changes in cell morphology and function induced by the NRAS Q61R mutation in lymphatic endothelial cells

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 5; p. e0289187
• Main Authors: Yasue, Shiho, Ozeki, Michio, Nozawa, Akifumi, Endo, Saori, Ohnishi, Hidenori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 29.05.2024; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Abnormalities; AKT protein; Analysis; Biology and Life Sciences; Biotechnology industry; Cell growth; Cell morphology; Cell Movement - genetics; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Cloning; Cytology; Endothelial cells; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - pathology; Endothelium; GTP Phosphohydrolases - genetics; GTP Phosphohydrolases - metabolism; Humans; Inactivation; Instrument industry; Kinases; Laboratories; Lesions; MAP kinase; Medicine and Health Sciences; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Metabolites; Microscopy; Monoclonal antibodies; Morphology; Mutation; Pathogenesis; Patients; Pleural effusion; Polyclonal antibodies; Protein expression; Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - metabolism; Research and Analysis Methods; Signal Transduction - genetics; TOR protein; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - genetics; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism; United States; Japan; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Germany
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289187

Recently, a low-level somatic mutation in the NRAS gene (c.182 A > G, Q61R) was identified in various specimens from patients with kaposiform lymphangiomatosis. However, it is unknown how these low-frequency mutated cells can affect the characterization and surrounding environment of their lesions. To understand the pathogenesis and association of these gene abnormalities, we established NRASQ61R mutated lymphatic endothelial cells transfected with lentivirus vector and undertook morphological and functional characterization, protein expression profiling, and metabolome analysis. NRASQ61R human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells showed poor tube formation, a low proliferation rate, and high migration ability, with an increase in the ratio of mutated cells. An analysis of signaling pathways showed inactivation of the PIK3/AKT/mTOR pathway and hyperactivation of the RAS/MAPK/ERK pathway, which was improved by MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor treatment. This study shows the theoretical circumstances induced in vitro by NRASQ61R-mutated cells in the affected lesions of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis patients.