Noncanonical Wnt/Ror2 signaling regulates cell–matrix adhesion to prompt directional tumor cell invasion in breast cancer

Cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions represent fundamental exchanges during tumor progression, yet how particular signal-transduction factors prompt the conversion of tumor cells into migratory populations capable of systemic spread during metastasis remains elusive. We demonstrate that the noncanonical Wnt receptor, Ror2, regulates tumor cell–driven matrix remodeling and invasion in breast cancer. Ror2 loss-of-function (LOF) triggers the disruption of E-cadherin within tumor cells, accompanied by an increase in tumor cell invasion and collagen realignment in three-dimensional cultures. RNA sequencing of Ror2-deficient organoids further uncovered alterations in actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and collagen cross-linking gene expression programs. Spatially, we pinpoint the up-regulation and redistribution of α(5) and β(3) integrins together with the production of fibronectin in areas of invasion downstream of Ror2 loss. Wnt/β-catenin–dependent and Wnt/Ror2 alternative Wnt signaling appear to regulate distinct functions for tumor cells regarding their ability to modify cell–ECM exchanges during invasion. Furthermore, blocking either integrin or focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a downstream mediator of integrin-mediated signal transduction, abrogates the enhanced migration observed upon Ror2 loss. These results reveal a critical function for the alternative Wnt receptor, Ror2, as a determinant of tumor cell–driven ECM exchanges during cancer invasion and metastasis.