CD95L cell surface cleavage triggers a pro-metastatic signaling pathway in triple negative breast cancer.

International audienceTriple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) lacking estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2 amplification have a relatively high risk of metastatic dissemination, but the mechanistic basis for this risk is not understood. Here we report that serum levels of CD95L are higher in TNBC patients compared to other breast cancer patients. Metalloprotease-mediated cleavage of CD95L expressed by endothelial cells surrounding tumors generates a gradient that promotes cell motility, due to formation of an unconventional CD95-containing receptosome termed the motility-inducing signaling complex. Formation of this complex was instrumental for Nox3-driven ROS generation. Mechanistic investigations revealed a Yes-Orai1-EGFR-PI3K pathway that triggered migration of TNBC cells exposed to CD95L. Our findings establish a pro-metastatic function for metalloprotease-cleaved CD95L in triple-negative breast cancers, revisiting its role in carcinogenesis