AIM: Accumulating data suggest that neuropeptides produced by neuroendocrine cells play a crucial role in the progression and aggressiveness of hormone refractory prostate cancer (CaP).
In this study, we have investigated the presence and function of the neuropeptide 26RFa in CaP.
METHODS: We have localised and quantified tumour cells containing 26RFa and its receptor, GPR103, in CaP sections of various grades. In vitro experiments were performed to investigate the effects of 26RFa on the migration, proliferation and neuroendocrine differentiation of the androgeno-independent (AI) prostate cancer cell line DU145.
RESULTS: 26RFa and GPR103 are present in carcinomatous foci exhibiting a neuroendocrine differentiation, and the number of 26RFa and GPR103-immunoreactive cancer cells increases with the grade of CaP. 26RFa stimulated the migration of native or transdifferentiated AI DU145 cells, but had no effect on their proliferation. Furthermore, 26RFa induced the neuroendocrine differentiation of DU145 cells as assessed by the occurrence of neurite-like extensions and the increase of the expression of the neuroendocrine marker chromogranin A.
CONCLUSION: The present data indicate that 26RFa may participate to the development of CaP at the AI state by promoting the neuroendocrine differentiation and the migration of cancer cells via autocrine/paracrine mechanisms.
Written by:
Alonzeau J, Alexandre D, Jeandel L, Courel M, Hautot C, Yamani FZ, Gobet F, Leprince J, Magoul R, Amarti A, Pfister C, Yon L, Anouar Y, Chartrel N. Are you the author?
INSERM U982, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute (IRIB), University of Rouen, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France.
Reference: Eur J Cancer. 2012 Aug 2. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2012.05.028
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22863147
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