Abstract A054: Interleukin-16 is a novel target to prevent age-associated epigenetic changes leading to malignant transformation associated with ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSOC)
Authors: Ramirez Jessica , Barua Animesh 
Published: December 2023

Low-grade chronic inflammation and persistent oxidative stress are hallmarks of malignant transformation. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is a fatal malignancy of women, and the median age of its incidence is 60-65 years. Our earlier studies showed enhanced expression of interleukin 16 (IL-16, an inflammatory cytokine), its receptor CD9, and glucose-regulated protein (GRP78, a marker of cellular stress and inhibitor of DNA damage repair mechanism) in postmenopausal ovaries and patients with HGSOC as compared with premenopausal subjects. It is possible that these age-associated increases in IL-16, CD9, and GRP78 expression may contribute to HGSOC-related epigenetic modifications of gH2A histone family member X (gH2AX, a marker for double-stranded DNA breaks), and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), involved in DNA repair. The goal of this study was to examine if age-associated such changes lead to HGSOC-associated malignant transformation and if so, to determine mechanisms involved in such transformation. Materials and Methods: Exploratory study: Archived tissue specimens were selected for immunohistochemical, immunoblotting, genomic studies, and immunoassays based on the review of their hematoxylin and eosin staining and final pathological reports. Specimens were grouped as normal premenopausal women (30-50 years old), normal postmenopausal women (55-85 years old), and ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). In vitro study: human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) cells were treated with or without recombinant human IL-16 (rhIL-16) and recombinant human GRP78 (rhGRP78), and small interfering RNA-GRP78 (siGRP78) for 24 hours or 48 hours. Nuclear fractionations from treated- or untreated HOSE cells or OVCAR3 (HGSOC cell line) cells were extracted. Results: Compared to premenopausal women, a subset of postmenopausal women exhibited significantly elevated expression (P&lt;0.01) of inflammatory markers IL-16, and its receptor CD9, as well as a marker of oxidative stress (GRP78). Additionally, markers of epigenetic changes, including gH2AX and HDAC1, presented similar patterns of increase in their expression. These observations were also consistent in HGSOC patients. Enhanced expression of GRP78, gH2AX, HDAC1, and CD9 in rhIL-16 treated HOSE cells like OVCAR3 cells and their reduction in siGRP78 treated HOSE cells suggests that age-associated increase in IL-16 in postmenopausal women may be a risk factor for malignant transformation and GRP78 may be a mechanism for IL-16-induced HGSOC development. Thus, IL-16 and GRP78 represent novel targets that may be used to develop novel targeted therapies to prevent HGSOC. Expression of gH2AX and HDAC1 increased in rhGRP78-treated HOSE cells. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that age-associated increases in IL-16 (a marker of chronic inflammation) and GRP78 (a marker of oxidative stress) may contribute to the predisposition for HGSOC-associated malignant transformation. IL-16 and GRP78 offer potential targets for the prevention of HGSOC in women. Support: The Portes Foundation

Citation Format: Jessica Ramirez, Animesh Barua. Interleukin-16 is a novel target to prevent age-associated epigenetic changes leading to malignant transformation associated with ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSOC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2023 Oct 11-15; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2023;22(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A054.