Activation of the complement system in an osteosarcoma cell line promotes angiogenesis through enhanced production of growth factors

Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 3;8(1):5415. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23851-z.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that the complement system is activated in various cancer tissues. Besides being involved in innate immunity against pathogens, the complement system also participates in inflammation and the modulation of tumor microenvironment. Recent studies suggest that complement activation promotes tumor progression in various ways. Among some cancer cell lines, we found that human bone osteosarcoma epithelial cells (U2-OS) can activate the alternative pathway of the complement system by pooled normal human serum. Interestingly, U2-OS cells showed less expression of complement regulatory proteins, compared to other cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the activated complement system enhanced the production of growth factors, which promoted angiogenesis of human endothelial cells. Our results demonstrated a direct linkage between the complement system and angiogenesis using the in vitro model, which suggest the complement system and related mechanisms might be potential targets for cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Complement System Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Osteosarcoma / blood supply
  • Osteosarcoma / metabolism
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 1
  • Complement System Proteins
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases