Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor strengthens cell invasion ability via prokineticin receptor 2 in colon cancer cell lines

Oncol Rep. 2013 Feb;29(2):459-63. doi: 10.3892/or.2012.2124. Epub 2012 Nov 6.

Abstract

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) has recently been identified as one of the vascular endothelial growth factors, and it is considered that the overexpression of EG-VEGF in colon cancer is related to hepatic metastasis. In this study, we report our recent novel findings of the involvement of EG-VEGF in cell invasion of colon cancer cells. Colon cancer cell lines (DLD-1 and HCT116) with high expression of prokineticin receptor (PK-R) 1 and 2 were stimulated with the EG-VEGF protein. Furthermore, Matrigel cell invasion assay was performed to examine the changes in cancer cell invasion. In addition, we investigated the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -7 and -9 in cancer cells. Finally, the EG-VEGF receptor on the colon cancer cell membrane was blocked by anti-PK-R1 and -PK-R2 antibodies to study whether cell invasion ability would be altered. In colon cancer cell lines where the expression of PK-R1 and 2 was confirmed, stimulation with EG-VEGF increased cell invasion a maximum of ~3-5 times. Furthermore, an increase in the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2, -7 and -9 was observed. We also observed that the cell invasion rate decreased only after exposure to the anti-PK-R2 antibody. The study showed that the EG-VEGF protein may act on MMP-2, -7 and -9 via PK-R2 to strengthen cell invasion ability in colon cancer cell lines.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones / immunology
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / immunology
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Peptide / immunology
  • Receptors, Peptide / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived / immunology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones
  • PROK1 protein, human
  • PROKR2 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Peptide
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 7
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9