Modulation of chemoresistance by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling through LPA5 in melanoma cells treated with anticancer drugs

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via LPA receptors (LPA1 to LPA6) contributes to the promotion of malignant potency in cancer cells. The cell motile activity are stimulated through the induction of LPA5 in melanoma cells treated with anticancer drugs. The present study aimed to investigate whether LPA signaling via LPA5 regulates chemoresistance in melanoma A375 cells. Cells were treated with cisplatin (CDDP) or dacarbazine (DTIC) every 24 h for 2 days. CDDP and DTIC treatment increased LPAR5 expressions. The cell survival rates of A375 cells treated with CDDP and DTIC were significantly decreased by LPA. In addition, LPAR5 expression was markedly elevated in long-term CDDP treated (A375-CDDP) cells. LPA decreased the cell survival rate of A375-CDDP cells treated with CDDP. To evaluate the roles of LPA5 in chemoresistance during tumor progression, highly migratory (A375-R11) cells were established from A375 cells. LPAR5 expression level was significantly lower in A375-R11 cells than in A375 cells. The cell survival rates of A375-R11 cells treated with CDDP and DTIC were increased, compared with A375 cells. Moreover, we generated LPA5 knockdown cells from A375 cells. The cell survival rates of A375 cells treated with CDDP and DTIC were significantly elevated by LPA5 knockdown. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA5 is involved in the modulation of chemoresistance in melanoma A375 cells. •LPAR5 expression was elevated in A375 cells treated with anticancer drugs.•LPA reduced cell survival to anticancer drugs in A375 cells.•The high cell survival of highly migratory A375 cells is associated with the low LPAR5 expression.•The cell survival of A375 cells treated with anticancer drugs was increased by LPA5 knockdown.•LPA signaling via LPA5 is involved in the modulation of chemoresistance in A375 cells.