Annexin A2 promotes the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro by regulating the shedding of CD147-harboring microvesicles from tumor cells

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 12;8(8):e67268. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067268. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

It has been reported that Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the roles of ANXA2 in the migration and invasion of HCC cells have not been determined. In this study, we found that ANXA2-specific siRNA (si-ANXA2) significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of HCC cells co-cultured with fibroblasts in vitro. In addition, the production of MMP-2 by fibroblasts cultured in supernatant collected from si-ANXA2-transfected HCC cells was notably down-regulated. ANXA2 was also found to be co-localized and co-immunoprecipitated with CD147. Further investigation revealed that the expression of ANXA2 in HCC cells affected the shedding of CD147-harboring membrane microvesicles, acting as a vehicle for CD147 in tumor-stromal interactions and thereby regulating the production of MMP-2 by fibroblasts. Together, these results suggest that ANXA2 enhances the migration and invasion potential of HCC cells in vitro by regulating the trafficking of CD147-harboring membrane microvesicles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Annexin A2 / genetics*
  • Annexin A2 / metabolism
  • Basigin / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Microvessels / metabolism*
  • Microvessels / pathology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • RNA Interference

Substances

  • Annexin A2
  • Basigin

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grant 20121086 from Dr. Start-up Fund of Liaoning Province, China. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.