Activation of MCP-1/CCR2 axis promotes prostate cancer growth in bone

Clin Exp Metastasis. 2009;26(2):161-9. doi: 10.1007/s10585-008-9226-7. Epub 2008 Nov 11.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) frequently metastasizes to bone resulting in a mixture of osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions. We have previously reported that monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is chemotactic for PCa cells, and its receptor, CCR2 expression, correlates with pathological stages. However, the role of MCP-1/CCR2 axis on PCa progression in bone remains unclear. We first evaluated the serum levels of MCP-1 in patients with bone metastases or localized PCa by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found that MCP-1 levels were elevated in patients with bone metastases compared to localized PCa. We further determined the effects of knockdown CCR2 or MCP-1 on PCa cell invasion and the tumor cell-induced osteoclast activity in vitro, respectively. PCa C4-2B and PC3 cells were transfected stably with either CCR2 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or a scrambled RNA. CCR2 knockdown significantly diminished the MCP-1-induced PCa cell invasion. In addition, the MCP-1 production was knocked down by MCP-1 shRNA in C4-2B and PC3 cells. Conditioned media (CM) was collected and determined for the CM-induced osteoclast formation in vitro. MCP-1 knockdown significantly decreased the PCa CM-induced osteoclast formation. Finally, MCP-1 knockdown PC3 cells were implanted into the tibia of SCID mice for 4 weeks. Tumor volume was determined by histopathology and bone histomorphometry. MCP-1 knockdown diminished PC3 tumor growth in bone. We concluded that activation of MCP-1/CCR2 axis promotes PCa growth in bone. This study suggests that MCP-1 may be a target for PCa progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chemokine CCL2 / genetics
  • Chemokine CCL2 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Osteoclasts / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Receptors, CCR2 / genetics
  • Receptors, CCR2 / physiology*

Substances

  • CCR2 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Receptors, CCR2