Fibrinogen synthesized by cancer cells augments the proliferative effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)

A. Sahni, P. J. Simpson-haidaris, S. K. Sahni, G. G. Vaday, C. W. Francis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

139 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 is a critical growth factor in normal and malignant cell proliferation and tumor-associated angiogenesis. Fibrinogen and fibrin bind to FGF-2 and modulate FGF-2 functions. Furthermore, we have shown that extrahepatic epithelial cells are capable of endogenous production of fibrinogen. Objective: Herein we examined the role of fibrinogen and FGF-2 interactions on prostate and lung adenocarcinoma cell growth in vitro. Methods: Cell proliferation was measured by 3 H-thymidine uptake and the specificity of FGF-2-fibrinogen interactions was measured using wild-type and mutant FGF-2s, fibrinogen γ-chain (FGG) RNAi and co-immunoprecipitation. Metabolic labeling, immunopurification and fluorography demonstrated de novo fibrinogen production. Results: FGF-2 stimulated DU-145 cell proliferation, whereas neither FGF-2 nor fibrinogen affected the growth of PC-3 or A549 cells. Fibrinogen augmented the proliferative effect of FGF-2 on DU-145 cells. The role of fibrinogen in FGF-2-enhanced DNA synthesis was confirmed using an FGF-2 mutant that exhibits no binding affinity for fibrinogen. FGG transcripts were present in PC-3, A549 and DU-145 cells, but only PC-3 and A549 cells produced detectable levels of intact protein. RNAi-mediated knockdown of FGG expression resulted in decreased production of fibrinogen protein and inhibited 3 H-thymidine uptake in A549 and PC-3 cells by 60%, which was restored by exogenously added fibrinogen. FGF-2 and fibrinogen secreted by the cells were present in the medium as a soluble complex, as determined by coimmunoprecipitation studies. Conclusions: These data indicate that endogenously synthesized fibrinogen promotes the growth of lung and prostate cancer cells through interaction with FGF-2.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)176-183
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • FGF-2
  • Fibrinogen
  • PC-3
  • Prostate cancer
  • RNAi

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

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