Fractalkine receptor CX(3)CR1 is expressed in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells and required for motility and adhesion to peritoneal mesothelial cells

Mol Cancer Res. 2012 Jan;10(1):11-24. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-11-0256. Epub 2011 Nov 7.

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is a deadly disease, and little is known about the mechanisms underlying its metastatic progression. Using human specimens and established cell lines, we determined that the G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane fractalkine receptor (CX(3)CR1) is expressed in primary and metastatic ovarian carcinoma cells. Ovarian carcinoma cells robustly migrated toward CX(3)CL1, a specific ligand of CX(3)CR1, in a CX(3)CR1-dependent manner. Silencing of CX(3)CR1 reduced migration toward human ovarian carcinoma ascites fluid by approximately 70%. Importantly, adhesion of ovarian carcinoma cells to human peritoneal mesothelial cells was dependent on CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 signaling. In addition, CX(3)CL1 was able to induce cellular proliferation. Together, our data suggest that the fractalkine network may function as a major contributor to the progression of EOC, and further attention to its role in the metastasis of this deadly malignancy is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Carcinoma in Situ / genetics*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / metabolism
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology*
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Peritoneum / metabolism
  • Peritoneum / pathology
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics*
  • Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Chemokine / physiology
  • Tissue Array Analysis

Substances

  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • CX3CR1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Chemokine