Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (2001) 85, 612–617. doi:10.1054/bjoc.2001.1941 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 14 August 2001

Enhanced VEGF production and decreased immunogenicity induced by TGF-bold beta 1 promote liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer

H Teraoka1, T Sawada1, T Nishihara1, M Yashiro1, M Ohira1, T Ishikawa1, H Nishino1 and K Hirakawa1

1First Department of Surgery, Osaka City University Medical School, 1–4–3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545–8585, Japan

Received 18 September 2000; Revised 3 May 2001; Accepted 8 May 2001.

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Abstract

TGF-betas are multifunctional polypeptides that regulate cell growth and differentiation, extracellular matrix deposition, cellular adhesion properties, angiogenesis and immune functions. In this study, we investigated the effect of TGF-beta1 on liver metastasis and its mechanism by using human pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc-1, Capan-2, and SW1990. Capan-2 and SW1990 cells demonstrated enhanced liver metastatic potential by in vivo splenic injection with TGF-beta1. Consequently, we examined the role of TGF-beta1 on in vitro angiogenesis and received cytotoxicity by peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMLs). While TGF-beta1 slightly decreased cell proliferation, it also upregulated VEGF production in all cancer cells examined. The binding of PBMLs to cancer cells and cancer cell cytotoxicity during co-culture with PBMLs were remarkably decreased by treatment with TGF-beta1. Panc-1 cells revealed no liver metastasis despite their high immunogenetic and angiogenetic abilities, which was attributed to a lack of expression of the cell surface carbohydrates that induce attachment to endothelial cells. We concluded that the presence of TGF-beta1 in the microenvironment of tumour site might play an important role in enhancing liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer by modulating the capacity of angiogenesis and immunogenicity. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Keywords:

TGF-beta, 1, liver metastasis, pancreatic cancer, VEGF

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