A novel antagonist of CXCR4 prevents bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-mediated osteosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion

Raffaela Fontanella, Alessandra Pelagalli, Anna Nardelli, Crescenzo D'Alterio, Caterina Ieranò, Laura Cerchia, Enrico Lucarelli, Stefania Scala, Antonella Zannetti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent findings suggest that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are recruited into the microenvironment of developing tumors, where they contribute to metastatic processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of BM-MSCs in promoting osteosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cell progression in vitro and the possible mechanisms involved in these processes. U2OS and SNU-398 are osteosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, respectively, that can be induced to proliferate when cultured in the presence of BM-MSCs. To determine the effect of BM-MSCs on U2OS and SNU-398 cells, the AKT and ERK signaling pathways were investigated, and increases were observed in active P-Akt and P-Erk forms. Moreover, BM-MSCs caused an increase in tumor cell migration and invasion that was derived from the enhancement of CXCR4 levels.Thus, when tumor cells were treated with the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, a reduction in their migration and invasion was observed. Furthermore, a new CXCR4 inhibitor, Peptide R, which was recently developed as an anticancer agent, was used to inhibit BM-MSC-mediated tumor invasion and to overcome AMD3100 toxicity. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibiting CXCR4 impairs the cross-talk between tumor cells and BM-MSCs, resulting in reduced metastatic potential in osteosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)100-107
Number of pages8
JournalCancer Letters
Volume370
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016

Keywords

  • Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs)
  • Chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)
  • Novel CXCR4 inhibitor
  • Tumor invasion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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