Abstract
Background:Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that stimulates myeloid stem cell maturation, proliferation, and migration into circulation. Despite being a known growth factor, the impact of G-CSF on solid tumours has not been well examined. G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) is expressed by some tumours, and thus the aim of this study was to examine the expression and impact of G-CSF and G-CSFR on gastrointestinal tumours.Methods:In this study, G-CSF expression was examined in human gastric and colon tumours and by tumour-derived stromal myofibroblasts and carcinoma cells. G-CSFR expression was examined on carcinoma cells isolated from human tissues. The effects of G-CSF on gastric and colon carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and signalling were examined.Results:G-CSFR was highly expressed in 90% of human gastric and colon carcinomas. G-CSF was also found to be highly produced by stromal myofibroblasts and carcinoma cells. Exposure of carcinoma cells to G-CSF led to increased proliferation and migration, and expansion of a sub-population of carcinoma cells expressing stem-like markers. These processes were dependent on ERK1/2 and RSK1 phosphorylation.Conclusions:These data suggest that the G-CSF/R axis promotes gastric and colorectal cancer development and suggest they are potential tumour targets.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1211-1220 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | British Journal of Cancer |
Volume | 110 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 4 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Colon cancer
- G-CSF
- G-CSFR
- Gastric cancer
- Stem cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research