Cellular changes resulting from forced expression of glypican-3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Mol Cells. 2006 Apr 30;21(2):224-8.

Abstract

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a member of the glypican family, which encodes cell-surface heparan-sulfate proteoglycans, and is frequently upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We have recently reported that blocking endogenous GPC3 expression promotes the growth of HCC cell lines, suggesting that GPC3 plays a negative role in HCC cell proliferation. Here, we report that forced expression of GPC3 reduced the growth of HCC cells. We also found that FGF2-mediated cell proliferation was inhibited by GPC3. In addition, we observed that the adhesion of HCC cells to collagen type I and fibronectin was decreased by GPC3, whereas cellular migration and invasiveness were stimulated. Collectively, these results suggest that progression of hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with upregulation of GPC3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Fibronectins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Glypicans / genetics
  • Glypicans / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Fibronectins
  • Glypicans
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2