Creation of an hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor autocrine loop in carcinoma cells induces invasive properties associated with increased tumorigenicity.

摘要: Abstract Exogenous HGF/SF converts subconfluent cultures of NBT-II epithelial carcinoma cells into mobile fibroblast-like while being only mitogenic for maintained at high density. To investigate the potential role such factor in tumor progression, we generated HGF/SF-producing by transfection with an expression plasmid containing human cDNA. also exhibit a fibroblastic phenotype. Media conditioned these are potent inducers vitro tubulogenesis which can be inhibited specific anti-HGF/SF antibodies; antibodies able to reverse scattered phenotype cells. In addition spheroids dispersed 3D collagen gels suggesting increase invasive properties When injected nude mice, induce tumors appearing more rapidly than did those obtained untransfected These results show that promote motility and bladder confers tumorigenic advantage when acting as autocrine factor.