PKCζ facilitates lymphatic metastatic spread of prostate cancer cells in a mice xenograft model

Oncogene. 2019 May;38(22):4215-4231. doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0722-9. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Abstract

Prostate cancer disseminates primarily into the adjacent lymph nodes, which is related to a poor outcome. Atypical protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) is highly expressed in aggressive prostate cancer and correlates with Gleason score, clinical stage, and poor prognosis. Here, we report the molecular mechanisms of PKCζ in lymphatic metastasis during prostate cancer progression. Using zinc-finger nuclease technology or PKCζ shRNA lentiviral particles, and orthotopic mouse xenografts, we show that PKCζ-knockout or knockdown from aggressive prostate cancer (PC3 and PC3U) cells, decreasesd tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis in vivo. Intriguingly, PKCζ-knockout or knockdown impaired the activation of AKT, ERK, and NF-κB signaling in prostate cancer cells, thereby impairing the expression of lymphangiogenic factors and macrophage recruitment, resulting in aberrant lymphangiogenesis. Moreover, PKCζ regulated the expression of hyaluronan synthase enzymes, which is important for hyaluronan-mediated lymphatic drainage and tumor dissemination. Thus, PKCζ plays a crucial oncogenic role in the lymphatic metastasis of prostate cancer and is predicted to be a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Synthases / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphangiogenesis / physiology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • PC-3 Cells
  • Prostate / metabolism
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Hyaluronan Synthases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • protein kinase C zeta
  • Protein Kinase C