Vascular endothelial growth factor C enhances cervical cancer migration and invasion via activation of focal adhesion kinase

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2013 Jan;29(1):20-4. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2012.705387. Epub 2012 Jul 21.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is correlated positively with clinical cervical cancer metastasis and survival. Previously we showed that VEGF-C directly activated actin-binding protein moesin, leading to the formation of membrane protrusions. However, whether VEGF-C alters cervical cancer cell adhesion to the extra-cellular matrix is currently unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of VEGF-C on the formation of focal adhesion complexes, which provide anchoring sites for cell attachment to the extracellular matrix. On cultured cervical carcinoma cell line SiHa cells, VEGF-C enhanced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. As a result, VEGF-C led to increased formation of focal adhesion complexes and enhanced migration and invasion, which was reversed by siRNA abrogating FAK. VEGF-C resulted in increased interaction of its receptor Flt-4 with non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src, leading to c-Src phosphorylation. The specific inhibitor of c-Src kinase, PP2, or the transfection with specific c-Src siRNA largely impaired VEGF-C-enhanced FAK phosphorylation, suggesting that Flt-4/c-Src cascade plays a central role in these processes. These results implied that VEGF-C promotes cervical cancer metastasis by activation of FAK protein through Flt-4/c-Src pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Female
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / genetics
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / pharmacology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / metabolism
  • src-Family Kinases / genetics
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1
  • PTK2 protein, human
  • src-Family Kinases
  • CSK protein, human