Objective: To explore the roles of chemokine CXCL16 and its receptor CXCR6 in the directional invasion of human prostate cancer (PCa).
Methods: The expression of CXCL16/CXCR6 in PCa samples and osseous tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of CXCR6 in PC3 and LNCap cells was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry. Then the effects of CXCL16 upon the migration and invasion of human PC3 and LNCap cells were examined by Matrigel invasion assay.
Results: The expression of CXCR6 protein was detected in all clinical PCa samples. But no CXCL16 protein was detected. Positive CXCL16 expression was observed in human osseous tissues. Both PC3 and LNCap cells expressed CXCR6 mRNA (0.38+/-0.054 vs 0.41+/-0.019 respectively) and protein. In addition, CXCL16 could promote the in vitro migration and invasion of PC3 and LNCap cell lines (invading cells 211.50+/-5.60 vs 89.25+/-3.31 respectively). Such a promoting effect of CXCL16 could not be blocked influenced by antiCXCL12 or antiCXCR4.
Conclusion: CXCL16/CXCR6 axis may be another independent chemokine factor playing a significant role in the metastasis of prostate cancer.