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PubMed1998

Transforming growth factor-alpha and insulin-like growth factor-I, but not epidermal growth factor, elicit autocrine stimulation of mitogenesis in endometrial cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVES: Endometrial carcinoma cell lines were evaluated for epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) production and for autocrine stimulation. METHODS: Conditioned, serum-free media (CM) from cell lines RL95-2, KLE, HEC, and Ishikawa (ISH) were concentrated radioimmunoassayed (RIA). Samples for the IGF-1 assay were extracted with acid-ethanol to remove IGF-1 binding protein. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to validate the presence of mRNA for growth factors and receptors. Cells were incubated with Ab528, an antibody blocking EGF receptors, and alphaIR3, an antibody blocking IGF-1 receptors. Proliferation was quantified using [3H]thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: TGF-alpha was detected in CM: RL95-2 (0.4 +/- 0.001 ng/ml), KLE (0.7 +/- 0.003 ng/ml), HEC (0.8 +/- 0.01 ng/ml), ISH (1.2 +/- 0.05 ng/ml). No EGF was detected in CM. In extracted samples, IGF-1 was detected in CM: RL95-2 (0.8 +/- 0. 03 ng/ml), KLE (1.25 +/- 0.02 ng/ml), HEC (1.6 +/- 0.01 ng/ml), ISH (1.6 +/- 0.08 ng/ml). Unconditioned media served as the control. EGF, TGF-alpha, and IGF-1 mRNA was identified in all cell lines, as was the mRNA for EGF and IGF-1 receptors. Incubation with Ab528 or alphaIR3 resulted in significant inhibition of DNA synthesis in HEC 1A, KLE, and ISH. No inhibition was detected in the RL95-2 cell line. A control antibody did not inhibit the cell lines. CONCLUSION: Autocrine production and stimulation of endometrial carcinoma cell lines by TGF-alpha and IGF-1 are demonstrated in three of four endometrial cancer cell lines. No measurable EGF was produced by any of the cell lines.

Autocrine Communication↗
PubMed2000

Autocrine phosphorylation of p70(S6k) in response to acute stretch in myotubes.

Phosphorylation of 70-KDa S6 kinase (p70(S6k)) is correlated with in vivo skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Experiments tested whether mechanical stretch is sufficient to increase p70(S6k) phosphorylation in skeletal myotubes. Immediately following stretch, there was a small increase in p70(S6k) phosphorylation (63.2 +/- 8.5%) with maximal phosphorylation at 3 h (129.5 +/- 22.2%) and it remained elevated through 24 h (46.0 +/- 17.2%). To test whether an autocrine mechanism is involved, unstretched myotubes were incubated with medium from the stretch group for 10 min. Conditioned medium resulted in the phosphorylation of p70(S6k) in unstretched myotubes (92.8 +/- 28.9%) to levels comparable to the 3-h stretch group. These data indicate that p70(S6k) is phosphorylated in stretched myotubes via a mechanism that most likely involves an autocrine signaling pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Retinal pigment epithelial cells: autocrine and paracrine stimulation of extracellular matrix contraction.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to examine the biological activity of contraction promoters produced by dedifferentiating retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) and to evaluate the importance of autocrine and paracrine effects within a semi-closed environment like the vitreal cavity. METHODS: RPE at different stages of dedifferentiation in culture were examined for their ability (a) to generate tractional forces in vitro, with and without serum stimulation, and (b) to produce and release contraction-stimulating proteins. Autocrine versus paracrine effects of cell-secreted promoters were tested by using RPE or human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) as target cells. The contraction-stimulating activity of the cell-secreted promoters was partially characterized and compared to the activity of defined promoters. RESULTS: Our study confirmed that RPE can synthesize and secrete cell-contraction-promoting factor(s) active in stimulating the development of tractional forces by RPE as well as HDF. The quantity of biological activity secreted per cell decreases with progressive dedifferentiation, yet the responsiveness of the cell to contraction promoters increases. The contraction promoter(s) synthesized by RPE is partially distinct from the promoters in serum, TGF-beta 1 and beta 2, IGF-1, ET-1 and PDGF. The contraction-promoting effects of the RPE product(s) can be completely blocked by staurosporine. CONCLUSION: De-differentiation of RPE is characterized by increasing capacity to generate tractional forces and decreasing synthetic capacity. RPE within a semi-closed system like the vitreal cavity can, theoretically, act both as promoting and active component of traction-related events (tractional retinal detachment).

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Autocrine IL-1beta secretion leads to NF-kappabeta-mediated chemoresistance in pancreatic carcinoma cells in vivo].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a highly malignant phenotype and a profound chemoresistance. Thus, options for an effective treatment of this disease are still quite poor. In this study, it was investigated whether the autocrine secretion of interleukin-(IL-)1beta is related to a chemoresistant phenotype of PDAC cells in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human PancTu1 PDAC cells were inoculated subcutaneously into female SCID mice. After 10 days of outgrowth, animals were randomized and left untreated or treated with an IL-1beta-RI antibody, etoposide, or a combination of both. After treatment for 14 days, tumor sizes were determined and each tumor was analyzed immunohistochemically for apoptosis (TUNEL), activated NF-kappaB (p65), and vascularization (CD31 staining). RESULTS: The combination of IL-1beta-RI antibody and etoposide led to a significantly reduced outgrowth of PancTu1 tumors in comparison to the monotherapies or no treatment. Accordingly, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly elevated in tumors of the combination group. After treatment with the IL-1beta-RI antibody, less activated NF-kappaB was present in tumors compared to the control group. Moreover, tumors of the combination group showed a clearly reduced vascularization. CONCLUSION: The autocrine secretion of IL-1beta contributes to a constitutively increased NF-kappaB activity in PDAC cells along with a chemoresistant phenotype.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Over-expression of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor on INS-1 cells confers autocrine stimulation of insulin gene promoter activity: a strategy for production of pancreatic beta-cell lines for use in transplantation.

To develop transplantable beta-cell lines for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, we have taken advantage of the property of INS-1 cells to synthesize and secrete not only insulin, but also small quantities of the insulinotropic hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In INS-1 cells over-expressing the beta-cell GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1-R), we have shown, by radioimmune assay and bioassay of conditioned medium, that an autocrine signaling mechanism of hormone action exists whereby self-secreted GLP-1 acts as a competence factor in support of insulin gene transcription. INS-1 cells also exhibit insulin gene promoter activity, as assayed in cells transfected with a rat insulin gene I promoter-luciferase construct (RIP1-Luc). The GLP-1-R agonist exendin-4 stimulates RIP1-Luc activity in a glucose-dependent manner, an effect mediated by endogenous GLP-1-Rs, and is blocked by the serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor Ro 31-8220. Over-expression of GLP-1-R in transfected INS-1 cells reduces the threshold for exendin-4 agonist action, whereas basal RIP1-Luc activity increases 2.5-fold in the absence of added agonist. The increase of basal RIP1-Luc activity is a consequence of autocrine stimulation by self-secreted GLP-1 and is blocked by introduction of (1) an inactivating W39A mutation in the N-terminus ligand-binding domain of GLP-1-R or (2) mutations in the third cytoplasmic loop that prevent G protein coupling. No evidence for constitutive ligand-independent signaling properties of the GLP-1-R has been obtained. Over-expression of GLP-1-R increases the potency and efficacy of D-glucose as a stimulator of RIP1-Luc. Thus, INS-1 cells over-expressing the GLP-1-R recapitulate the incretin hormone effect of circulating GLP-1, thereby providing a possible strategy by which beta-cell lines may be engineered for efficient glucose-dependent insulin biosynthesis and secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Autocrine growth promotion by multiple hematopoietic growth factors in the established renal cell carcinoma line KU-19-20.

Increasing evidence suggests that paraneoplastic syndrome may be mediated by tumor-related cytokine release, although the specific factors involved remain to be clearly defined. The cancer cells used in the present study were obtained from a 67-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the subcutaneous space who demonstrated marked leukocytosis (37,800/mm3). The primary tumor of the kidney was pathologically diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma consistent with the sarcomatoid type. On microscopic observation, the cultured cells exhibited an epithelial appearance with vacuole formation in their cytoplasm. Ultrastructural observations revealed relatively marked microvilli and a tight junction. Significant amounts of GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations in the culture media were identified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) significantly exhibited marker protein m-RNA expression in cancer cells. In addition, GM-CSF receptor and IL-6 receptor mRNA expression was also demonstrated by RT-PCR. The administration of both IL-6 and GM-CSF induced cell-proliferation activities estimated by both [3H]-thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine labeling. Anti-IL-6 antibody and anti-GM-CSF antibody neutralized the enhanced proliferative activities generated by these cytokines. Our findings indicate that the established renal cancer cell line can be demonstrated by both the production of multiple cytokines and by their promotion of autocrine growth. These cells are thus considered to be useful as an effective model for multipotent differentiated renal cell carcinoma, as well as for studying the mechanisms of action of autocrine growth.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

An autocrine mechanism for constitutive Wnt pathway activation in human cancer cells.

Autocrine Wnt signaling in the mouse mammary tumor virus model was the first identified mechanism of canonical pathway activation in cancer. In search of this transformation mechanism in human cancer cells, we identified breast and ovarian tumor lines with upregulation of the uncomplexed transcriptionally active form of beta-catenin without mutations afflicting downstream components. Extracellular Wnt antagonists FRP1 and DKK1 caused a dramatic downregulation of beta-catenin levels in these tumor cells associated with alteration of biological properties and increased expression of epithelial differentiation markers. Colorectal carcinoma cells with knockout of the mutant beta-catenin allele retained upregulated beta-catenin levels, which also could be inhibited by these Wnt antagonists. Together, these findings establish the involvement of autocrine Wnt signaling in human cancer cells.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins↗
PubMed2006

The response of human epithelial cells to TNF involves an inducible autocrine cascade.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that induces conflicting pro- and antiapoptotic signals whose relative strengths determine the extent of cell death. TNF receptor (TNFR) has been studied in considerable detail, but it is not known how crosstalk among antagonistic pro- and antiapoptotic signals is achieved. Here we report an experimental and computational analysis of crosstalk between prodeath TNF and prosurvival growth factors in human epithelial cells. By applying classifier-based regression to a cytokine-signaling compendium of approximately 8000 intracellular protein measurements, we demonstrate that cells respond to TNF both directly, via activated TNF receptor, and indirectly, via the sequential release of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). We refer to the contingent and time-varying series of extracellular signals induced by TNF as an "autocrine cascade." Time-dependent crosstalk of synergistic and antagonistic autocrine circuits may serve to link cellular responses to the local environment.

Autocrine Communication↗
PubMed2004

Hepatocyte growth factor plays roles in the induction and autocrine maintenance of bone marrow stromal cell IL-11, SDF-1 alpha, and stem cell factor.

OBJECTIVE: Bone marrow (BM) stroma provides the microenvironment required for long-term hematopoiesis, and this is supported by direct interaction between stromal cells and hematopoietic cells, mediated by adhesion molecules, and through cytokine releases from the BM stroma. In a previous study, we demonstrated that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the cytokines constitutively produced from BM stromal cells, promoting hematopoiesis mainly in an indirect way. We also showed that stromal cells themselves express HGF receptor c-MET. It was therefore postulated that HGF exerts its effect on hematopoiesis and maintenance of the hematopoietic microenvironment in a paracrine and autocrine manner. METHODS: The effect of HGF on stromal cells was analyzed by neutralizing intrinsic HGF. RESULTS: Addition of neutralizing anti-HGF antibody inhibited the ability of BM stromal cells to support colony formation from CD34(+) cells and reduced production of significant cytokines from stromal cells, interleukin-11 (IL-11), stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha), and to a lesser extent, stem cell factor (SCF). Furthermore, this neutralizing antibody reduced proliferation of stromal cells and inhibited adhesion of stromal cells to collagen type IV and fibronectin. Inhibition of adhesion to fibronectin was mediated by inhibition of alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that HGF constitutively produced from BM stromal cells is an autocrine regulator, which is able to maintain the hematopoietic microenvironment through stimulating proliferation and adhesion to the extracellular matrix and promoting hematopoiesis through inducing constitutive production of IL-11, SDF-1 alpha, and SCF by stromal cells themselves.

Autocrine Communication↗
PubMed2004

Arginine metabolism during macrophage autocrine activation and infection with mouse hepatitis virus 3.

In contrast to BALB/c mouse macrophages (Mphi), Mphi from the A/J mouse strain, upon activation by exogenous interferon gamma (IFNgamma), develop an anti-mouse hepatitis virus 3 (MHV3) state which correlates with resistance to virus infection. To investigate the autocrine activation of BALB/c and A/J Mphi, we activated them with interleukin-12 (IL-12) and/or IL-18, and quantified IFNgamma production, the anti-MHV3 state and arginine metabolism. Synergistic activation by IL-12/IL-18 induced the expression of the IFNgamma gene in Mphi from both mouse strains. In bone marrow (BM) or peritoneal (P) Mphi of specific pathogen-free (spf) mice of both strains, IFNgamma synthesis occurred only with a synergistic IL-12/IL-18 activation and showed increasing levels from 24 to 72 h of activation. In contrast, when non-spf mice were used in the assay, their PMphi synthesized higher IFNgamma levels upon activation with only IL-12 or only IL-18 or both. The BALB/c Mphi were always capable of synthesizing higher amounts of IFNgamma than the A/J Mphi. An anti-MHV3 state was observed only in A/J Mphi upon activation with IL-12/IL-18 or IFNgamma regardless of their origin from the peritoneum or bone marrow. Arginine metabolism in activated and/or virus infected BMMphi was investigated through nitric oxide (NO) and arginase induction as well as the consumption of arginine and synthesis of citrulline, ornithine and spermine. The results showed that both BALB/c and A/J BMMphi populations released NO only after activation with IL-12/IL-18 or IFNgamma. Arginase was not induced in BMMphi from both strains by IL-12/IL-18 or IFNgamma but only by IL-4/IL-10. Higher arginine consumption was observed in BMMphi from both strains upon activation with IL-4 or IFNgamma which further increased, in this case, when the cells were infected with MHV3. As a consequence of nitric oxide synthase synthesis and arginine consumption in IFNgamma activated BMMphi, we observed a higher synthesis of citrulline. High levels of ornithine were induced only upon IL-4 activation. Polyamine synthesis was higher in A/J BMMphi than in BALB/c ones, which correlated with the slightly lower levels of ornithine observed. Upon infection with MHV3, we observed a higher synthesis of spermine. IL-12/IL-18 or IFNgamma activation, mainly in MHV3 infected cells, led to a decreased synthesis of polyamines, notably spermine, only in A/J BMMphi. Difluoromethylornithine treatment, which leads to inhibition of polyamine synthesis, induced a decreased MHV3 multiplication in both BALB/c and A/J BMMphi. Altogether these data show the relevance of IFNgamma, from the autocrine or paracrine pathway, and arginine metabolism for the control of MHV3 replication in Mphi of a resistant mouse strain.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Autocrine production of biologically active hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by injured human skin.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent regenerative factor involved in wound healing. Previous studies have shown that mesenchymal cells produce HGF, stimulating epithelial cells in a paracrine fashion. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether autocrine HGF production by keratinocytes can occur upon skin injury. METHODS: A 31-year-old male patient sustained a burn affecting 80% of his total body surface area. Biopsies were taken from intact skin near the injured area, and skin keratinocytes were separated and cultured. Conditioned medium from keratinocytes was analyzed for HGF by ELISA, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and dot blotting. Binding of HGF from conditioned medium to its receptor, c-Met, was compared with recombinant HGF by SPR. Finally, we examined the motogenic effect on mouse transformed skin epithelial cells (CCL-53.1) of HGF from conditioned medium. RESULTS: HGF was detected in the cultured keratinocyte medium. Similar to recombinant HGF, HGF from conditioned medium had a high affinity for dextran sulfate and albumin, and the same epitopes were engaged by the interaction of HGF with the c-Met receptor. The conditioned medium from keratinocytes obtained from the burn patient, but not medium from keratinocytes obtained from healthy volunteers, accelerated the motogenesis of CCL-53.1 cells. Unexpectedly, anti-HGF antibodies did not prevent this effect. However, anti-c-Met antibodies completely inhibited the motogenic effect. CONCLUSION: Upon injury, human skin keratinocytes might produce biologically active HGF in an autocrine fashion. This HGF might have different structural and/or biological properties from HGF produced by mesenchymal cells.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Autocrine activation of microglia by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

In the central nervous system (CNS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) derived from activated microglia plays a critical role as an inflammatory mediator. In this study, we examined the function of TNF-alpha as an autocrine mediator in microglial activation. TNF-alpha induced TNF-alpha production by microglia through ligation of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). TNF-alpha also increased the production of other inflammatory mediators. The activation of microglia by lipopolysaccharide is partially mediated by microglia-derived TNF-alpha. These findings suggest the existence of a positive feedback loop in the activation of microglia via TNF-alpha. This autocrine loop may be involved in the prolonged activation of microglia.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of in vitro contractions of human myometrium by mibefradil, a T-type calcium channel blocker: support for a model using excitation-contraction coupling, and autocrine and paracrine signaling mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the importance of T-type calcium channels in human myometrial contractility and to refine a model of contractility. METHODS: We performed in vitro muscle bath experiments on human myometrial tissue strips while simultaneously monitoring bioelectrical activity with loose-contact electrodes. Tissue was obtained by myometrial biopsy from term pregnant women at the time of cesarean delivery and studied after 1 to 7 days in organ culture. Tissue strips were exposed to 5 nM oxytocin to obtain regular contractions. Tissue was then exposed to the T-type calcium channel blocker mibefradil (1 microM), the L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine (5 nM), or the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin (30 microM). All study drugs reduced the strength of contractions. Data were analyzed using a model composed of two phases of force production--an electrical phase (E), which encompassed the first 3 seconds of each contraction, and a paracrine phase (P), which continued until the peak of the contraction. For each phase, the relative force reduction was calculated by the ratio of forces measured after and before drug exposure (RE and RP, respectively). For each drug, experiments were performed in at least triplicate. RESULTS: Myometrial contractions and bioelectrical signals were routinely observed following oxytocin exposure. Spike-like bioelectrical signals occurred only at the beginning of each contraction. Nifedipine and indomethacin slightly modulated the bioelectrical signals, but mibefradil appeared to block the spike component. Mibefradil caused a similar reduction of E and P (RE = 58 +/- 10%, RP = 62 +/- 22%). Nifedipine also reduced E and P, although P was reduced more than E (RE = 72 +/- 12%, RP = 38 +/- 8%, P = .006). Indomethacin yielded variable results, with some experiments showing similar RE and RP values, while other experiments showed RP > RE. CONCLUSION: Mibefradil inhibition of the bioelectrical signal and uterine contractile forces suggest that T-type calcium channels are important in the initiation of each contraction. Some results using indomethacin suggest that for a specific tissue or under some conditions, autocrine stimulation by prostaglandins may be important for recruitment of myocytes in the electrical phase. Stimulation by prostaglandins is likely important in the paracrine phase. Enhanced inhibition by nifedipine in the paracrine phase suggests the mechanism of action of nifedipine tocolytic effect is block of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) paracrine stimulation. Our initial model proposed at least two mechanisms (electrical and nonelectrical) for the recruitment of myocytes. Our modified model suggests that the electrical phase contains a prostaglandin autocrine mechanism in addition to excitation-contraction coupling, and the mechanism in the nonelectrical phase is prostaglandin paracrine signaling.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

JNK regulates expression and autocrine signaling of TGF-beta1.

TGF-beta1 can induce its own expression by an autoregulatory mechanism. In this issue of Molecular Cell, Ventura et al. (2004) show, using JNK-deficient fibroblasts, that JNK negatively regulates TGF-beta1 gene expression and, consequently, autocrine TGF-beta signaling. The results highlight the contributions of JNK signaling in the control of TGF-beta expression and signaling, and of autocrine TGF-beta signaling in the JNK-regulated changes in cell behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor Flk-1/KDR in promoting tumour angiogenesis in feline and canine mammary carcinomas: a preliminary study of autocrine and paracrine loops.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptor KDR are involved in the regulation of angiogenesis and are up-regulated in a number of tumours in humans and in particular, breast cancer. We therefore evaluated the prognostic potential of the angiogenetic process in feline and canine mammary carcinomas by the immunohistochemical assessment of VEGF expression and micro vessel density (MVD) quantification and examined the interplay between VEGF and KDR. These variables were related to some relevant clinicopathological parameters and to overall survival (OS). VEGF and KDR expression were evaluated in epithelial, stromal and endothelial compartments in order to identify autocrine and/or paracrine loops. In dogs an increased VEGF expression did not show any statistical correlation with the clinicopathological parameters examined and was not correlated to a poorer prognosis. MVD was found to be significantly correlated to the histologic type (P=0.04), tumour grading (P=0.02), and to the OS (P=0.01). In cats VEGF expression was significantly correlated to tumor grading (P=0.01) and OS (P=0.03), while no significant associations were found between MVD and the other parameters. VEGF and KDR were found to be detected on the epithelial, and/or endothelial and/or stromal cells of the carcinomas in both species, suggesting indications for some possible autocrine and paracrine loops. Our results encourage further studies on the possible prognostic role of VEGF and MVD in canine and feline mammary tumours and on the role of growth factors and their receptors in promoting tumour proliferation and an "angiogenetic shift". The VEGF/KDR system may play a role in malignant transformation and tumor progression.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Autocrine regulation of human urothelial cell proliferation and migration during regenerative responses in vitro.

Regeneration of the urothelium is rapid and effective in order to maintain a barrier to urine following tissue injury. Whereas normal human urothelial (NHU) cells are mitotically quiescent and G0 arrested in situ, they rapidly enter the cell cycle upon seeding in primary culture and show reversible growth arrest at confluency. We have used this as a model to investigate the role of EGF receptor signaling in urothelial regeneration and wound-healing. Transcripts for HER-1, HER-2, and HER-3 were expressed by quiescent human urothelium in situ. Expression of HER-1 was upregulated in proliferating cultures, whereas HER-2 and HER-3 were more associated with a growth-arrested phenotype. NHU cells could be propagated in the absence of exogenous EGF, but autocrine signaling through HER-1 via the MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways was essential for proliferation and migration during urothelial wound repair. HB-EGF was expressed by urothelium in situ and HB-EGF, epiregulin, TGF-alpha, and amphiregulin were expressed by proliferating NHU cells. Urothelial wound repair in vitro was attenuated by neutralizing antibodies against HER-1 ligands, particularly amphiregulin. By contrast, the same ligands applied exogenously promoted migration, but inhibited proliferation, implying that HER-1 ligands provoke differential effects in NHU cells depending upon whether they are presented as soluble or juxtacrine ligands. We conclude that proliferation and migration during wound healing in NHU cells are mediated through an EGFR autocrine signalling loop and our results implicate amphiregulin as a key mediator.

Amphiregulin↗
PubMed2004

Phenotypic switch from paracrine to autocrine role of hepatocyte growth factor in an androgen-independent human prostatic carcinoma cell line, CWR22R.

Support mechanisms involved in growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer are primarily unknown. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/Met has been suggested to be one of them based primarily on immunohistochemical studies. We conducted a series of experiments to assess the role of the HGF/Met system in an androgen-dependent human prostate carcinoma, CWR22 and its androgen-independent derivative, CWR22R. We found that action of HGF changed from paracrine to autocrine in progression to androgen-independent state. CWR22 tumors did not express HGF but expressed Met, whereas prostate stromal cells expressed HGF at a high level. Growth of CWR22 was stimulated either by addition of HGF to the culture or by the presence of prostate stromal cells. On the other hand, CWR22R cells expressed both HGF and Met. Knockdown of Met expression by RNA interference method suppressed the growth of CWR22R cells. Our data suggest that HGF is intimately involved in growth of human prostate cancer and that progression from the androgen-dependent to the androgen-independent state is associated with an adaptive switch in support mechanism from paracrine to autocrine. Our data offer one mechanism to account for androgen-independent human cancer growth.

Androgens↗
PubMed2001

c-MET expression in myofibroblasts: role in autocrine activation and prognostic significance in lung adenocarcinoma.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays important roles in tumor development and progression. It is currently thought that the main action of HGF is of a paracrine nature: HGF produced by mesenchymal cells acts on epithelial cells that express its receptor c-MET. In this investigation, we explored the significance of c-MET expression in myofibroblasts, both in culture and in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. We first showed that human myofibroblasts derived from primary lung cancer expressed c-MET mRNA and protein by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Proliferation of myofibroblasts was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner by exogenously added recombinant human HGF whereas it was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by neutralizing antibody to HGF. The addition of HGF in the culture medium stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of c-MET. The c-MET protein was immunohistochemically detected in myofibroblasts in the invasive area of lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, the prognostic significance of c-MET expression in stromal myofibroblasts was explored in patients with small-sized lung adenocarcinomas. c-MET-positive myofibroblasts were observed in 69 of 131 cases (53%). A significant relationship between myofibroblast c-MET expression and shortened patient survival was observed in a whole cohort of patients including all pathological stages (two-sided P: = 0.0089 by log-rank test) and in patients with stage IA disease (two-sided P: = 0.0019 by log-rank test). These data suggest that the HGF/c-MET system constitutes an autocrine activation loop in cancer-stromal myofibroblasts. This autocrine system may play a role in invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗