CXCL14 is an autocrine growth factor for fibroblasts and acts as a multi-modal stimulator of prostate tumor growth

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 3;106(9):3414-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0813144106. Epub 2009 Feb 13.

Abstract

This study explored the role of secreted fibroblast-derived factors in prostate cancer growth. Analyses of matched normal and tumor tissue revealed up-regulation of CXCL14 in cancer-associated fibroblasts of a majority of prostate cancer. Fibroblasts over-expressing CXCL14 promoted the growth of prostate cancer xenografts, and increased tumor angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that autocrine CXCL14-stimulation of fibroblasts stimulate migration and ERK-dependent proliferation of fibroblasts. CXCL14-stimulation of monocyte migration was also demonstrated. Furthermore, CXCL14-producing fibroblasts, but not recombinant CXCL14, enhanced in vitro proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells and in vivo angiogenesis. These studies thus identify CXCL14 as a novel autocrine stimulator of fibroblast growth and migration, with multi-modal tumor-stimulatory activities. In more general terms, our findings suggest autocrine stimulation of fibroblasts as a previously unrecognized mechanism for chemokine-mediated stimulation of tumor growth, and suggest a novel mechanism whereby cancer-associated fibroblasts achieve their pro-tumorigenic phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autocrine Communication*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chemokines, CXC / genetics
  • Chemokines, CXC / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Macrophages
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • CXCL14 protein, human
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins