CXCL12γ Promotes Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer by Inducing Cancer Stem Cell and Neuroendocrine Phenotypes

Abstract

There is evidence that cancer stem-like cells (CSC) and neuroendocrine behavior play critical roles in the pathogenesis and clinical course of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (m-CRPC). However, there is limited mechanistic understanding of how CSC and neuroendocrine phenotypes impact the development of m-CRPC. In this study, we explored the role of the intracellular chemokine CXCL12γ in CSC induction and neuroendocrine differentiation and its impact on m-CRPC. CXCL12γ expression was detected in small-cell carcinoma of metastatic tissues and circulating tumor cells from m-CRPC patients and in prostate cancer cells displaying an neuroendocrine phenotype. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that overexpression of CXCL12γ induced CSC and neuroendocrine phenotypes in prostate cancer cells through CXCR4-mediated PKCα/NFκB signaling, which promoted prostate tumor outgrowth, metastasis, and chemoresistance in vivo. Together, our results establish a significant function for CXCL12γ in m-CRPC development and suggest it as a candidate therapeutic target to control aggressive disease.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Apr 12, 2018
Source ID
10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-2332

Entities

People

  • Amy M. Gursky
  • Ann M. Decker
  • Eunsohl Lee
  • Frank C Cackowski
  • Jae-seung Chung
  • Jin Koo Kim
  • Jingcheng Wang
  • Kenji Yumoto
  • Kenneth J. Pienta
  • Paul H. Krebsbach
  • Russell S. Taichman
  • Todd M Morgan
  • Younghun Jung
  • Yugang Wang

Organizations

  • Inje University
  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
  • National Cancer Institute
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Prostate Cancer Foundation
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of Michigan

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Prostate Cancer Biology.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology