TY - JOUR
T1 - Urokinase receptor promotes ovarian cancer cell dissemination through its 84-95 sequence
AU - Bifulco, Katia
AU - Votta, Giuseppina
AU - Ingangi, Vincenzo
AU - Di Carluccio, Gioconda
AU - Rea, Domenica
AU - Losito, Simona
AU - Montuori, Nunzia
AU - Ragno, Pia
AU - Stoppelli, Maria Patrizia
AU - Arra, Claudio
AU - Carriero, Maria Vincenza
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - The clinical relevance of the urokinase receptor (uPAR) as a prognostic marker in ovarian cancer is well documented. We had shown that the uPAR sequence corresponding to 84-95 residues, linking D1 and D2 domains (uPAR84-95), drives cell migration and angiogenesis in a protease-independent manner. This study was aimed at defining the contribution of uPAR84-95 sequence to invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Now, we provide evidence that the ability of uPAR-expressing ovarian cancer cells to cross extra-cellular matrix and mesothelial monolayers is prevented by specific inhibitors of the uPAR84-95 sequence. To specifically investigate uPAR84-95 function, uPAR-negative CHO-K1 cells were stably transfected with cDNAs coding for uPAR D2 and D3 regions exposing (uPARD2D3) or lacking (uPARΔD2D3) the 84-95 sequence. CHO-K1/D2D3 cells were able to cross matrigel, mesothelial and endothelial monolayers more efficiently than CHO-K1/ΔD2D3 cells, which behave as CHO-K1 control cells. When orthotopically implanted in nude mice, tumor nodules generated by CHO-K1/D2D3 cells spreading to peritoneal cavity were more numerous as compared to CHO-K1/ΔD2D3 cells. Ovarian tumor size and intra-tumoral microvessel density were significantly reduced in the absence of uPAR84-95. Our results indicate that cell associated uPAR promotes growth and abdominal dissemination of ovarian cancer cells mainly through its uPAR84-95 sequence.
AB - The clinical relevance of the urokinase receptor (uPAR) as a prognostic marker in ovarian cancer is well documented. We had shown that the uPAR sequence corresponding to 84-95 residues, linking D1 and D2 domains (uPAR84-95), drives cell migration and angiogenesis in a protease-independent manner. This study was aimed at defining the contribution of uPAR84-95 sequence to invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Now, we provide evidence that the ability of uPAR-expressing ovarian cancer cells to cross extra-cellular matrix and mesothelial monolayers is prevented by specific inhibitors of the uPAR84-95 sequence. To specifically investigate uPAR84-95 function, uPAR-negative CHO-K1 cells were stably transfected with cDNAs coding for uPAR D2 and D3 regions exposing (uPARD2D3) or lacking (uPARΔD2D3) the 84-95 sequence. CHO-K1/D2D3 cells were able to cross matrigel, mesothelial and endothelial monolayers more efficiently than CHO-K1/ΔD2D3 cells, which behave as CHO-K1 control cells. When orthotopically implanted in nude mice, tumor nodules generated by CHO-K1/D2D3 cells spreading to peritoneal cavity were more numerous as compared to CHO-K1/ΔD2D3 cells. Ovarian tumor size and intra-tumoral microvessel density were significantly reduced in the absence of uPAR84-95. Our results indicate that cell associated uPAR promotes growth and abdominal dissemination of ovarian cancer cells mainly through its uPAR84-95 sequence.
KW - Cell invasion
KW - Ovarian cancer
KW - Urokinase receptor
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905114242&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84905114242&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 24980826
AN - SCOPUS:84905114242
VL - 5
SP - 4154
EP - 4169
JO - Oncotarget
JF - Oncotarget
SN - 1949-2553
IS - 12
ER -