血管壁重塑与平滑肌细胞表型改变及调亡的研究

目的 研究血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)表型改变和调亡与血管壁重塑的关系。方法 建立兔髂动脉粥样硬化再狭窄模型，分析再狭窄血管壁形态和结构变化，研究中膜、内膜VSMC的表型改变，检测各个时间段内膜和中膜层VSMC调亡。结果 再狭窄血管腔面积与血管壁重塑指数呈正相关(r＝0．9250，P＝0．0024)，再狭窄血管的管径较对侧明显缩小(P＝0．0001)。中膜VSMC表型主要以收缩型表型为主，血管壁内膜的VSMC的表型发生动态变化。中膜与内膜VSMC调亡峰值基本一致，中膜VSMC调亡指数明显高于内膜(P＝0．0061)。结论 血管壁重塑在血管重建再狭窄中起着重要的作用，在血管壁重塑过程中调控VSMC的表型转化和调亡可能控制血管壁的不适重塑，减少再狭窄的发生率。     

STAT3信号通路与血管重塑中平滑肌细胞表型转化及增殖关系

目的 观察静脉桥再狭窄模型中血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)表型转化和增殖活性的变化,探讨信号转导子和激活子3蛋白(STAT3)的表达与VSMC表型转化及增殖活性的关系.方法 建立猪静脉桥再狭窄模型,采用血管病理形态学、免疫组织化学和免疫印迹(Western blot)方法,观察术后7、14、30 d血管蓖塑及血管壁中增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)、平滑肌ot肌动蛋白(SM-α actin)和STAT3表达变化及其相关性.结果 (1)术后7 d新牛内膜形成逐渐增厚,于术后30 d达最大;重塑指数和外弹力板围绕面积(EELA)术后7 d稍有增大,其后不断减小,术后14～30 d明显减小(P<0.05).(2)免疫组织化学和Western blot测定STAT3蛋白显示,术后7 d中膜VSMC中阳性表达明显,术后14 d中膜VSMC和内膜VSMC中阳性表达均增加达高峰;术后30 d中膜VSMC中有较少部分阳性表达,内膜VSMC中阳性表达较14 d减少.血管中膜中STAT3和PCNA的蛋白呈显著性正相关(r=0.726,P<0.05).结论 血管平滑肌细胞的表型转化和增殖活性改变对内膜增生和血管重塑起着重要作用,STAT3信号通路与血管重塑中VSMC的增殖高度相关,参与并促进了VSMC的表型转化和增殖.     

尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂(uPA)和其受体(uPAR)在肝细胞癌的表达及其临床和病理意义

目的　研究尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂 (uPA)和其特异性受体 (uPAR)在肝细胞癌 (HCC)的表达及其临床和病理意义。　方法　应用免疫组织化学和酶联免疫吸附法 (ELISA)检测uPA和uPAR在HCC和非癌组织中的表达 ,并与临床及病理指标相联系。　结果　HCC中uPA和uPAR的阳性表达率分别为 75 0 % (12 / 16 )和 6 8.8% (1/ 16 )。在进展性和侵袭性肿瘤与非进展性和非侵袭性肿瘤间uPA和uPAR阳性率无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。阳性染色主要位于癌细胞和基质细胞胞浆且主要位于癌侵犯的边缘。非癌组织仅见少量阳性染色细胞 ,对照组无特异性阳性染色。在ELISA中 ,癌与非癌组织uPA抗原水平分别为 (4 2 3± 0 5 7)ng/mg蛋白和 (1 2 6± 0 14)ng/mg蛋白 ,uPAR抗原水平分别为 (4 2 5± 0 2 1)ng/mg蛋白和 (3 15± 0 2 3)ng/mg蛋白 ,有显著性差异 (t=18.96 3,P =0 .0 0 0 ;t=13.6 93 ,P =0 .0 0 0 )。且进展性和侵袭性肿瘤中其抗原水平显著高于非进展性和非侵袭性肿瘤 (P <0 0 5 )。　　结论　uPA和uPAR在肝细胞癌表达较高并与其进展和侵袭密切关联。     

肝细胞癌门静脉主干癌栓uPA和uPAR基因表达

目的：探讨uPA,uPAR基因表达和肝癌转移，肝细胞癌门静脉主干癌栓（Tumor thrombosid of the main trunk of the portal vein,PVTT)形成的关系。方法：采用原位杂交等技术检测uPA,uPAR表达。结果：癌栓（A1组）和其原发癌（A2组）uPA,uPAR mRNA阳性表达率均高于无转移肝癌（B组）（P均＜0．01），A1组表达强度均高于A2组（P＜0．01），A2组小血管内可见癌细胞群落，A1组多见，B组无此现象，A1组、A2组uPAR和uPA蛋白质阳性表达率均高于B组（P均＜0．01），A1组表达强度均高于A2组（P＜0．01），uPA,uPAR mRNA和其蛋白质表达存在良好相关性（P均＜0．01），结论：uPA,uPAR在肝癌的侵袭和转移中起重要作用。其过度表达是PVTT形成和肝癌转移的重要因素。     

血管外膜和胶原分布对内膜增生及血管重塑的影响

目的 动态观察移植静脉再狭窄动物模型中血管外膜和胶原的变化,以评价血管外膜和胶原对内膜增生和血管重塑的影响. 方法 长白猪18只,建立猪移植静脉再狭窄模型,术后随机分为3组,术后7d组,术后30d组和术后45d组,每组6只;未移植前的大隐静脉作为对照组.采用HE和Masson染色,观察各组血管成分结构、外膜细胞密度、增生指数和胶原的动态变化. 结果 术后7d组新生内膜形成并增厚,外膜厚度和细胞密度增大,外膜和新生内膜中胶原增多,血管腔面积减少,但与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(F=2.03,P=0.091),而剩余狭窄率逐渐增大(F=5.16,P=0.033),重塑指数和外弹力板围绕面积(EELA)稍有增大.术后30d组新生内膜明显增厚,外膜厚度和细胞密度达最大,新生内膜中含大量胶原,呈进行性增多趋势,外膜中胶原含量达最大,管腔面积和内膜弹力板围绕面积(IELA)明显减小,剩余狭窄率较对照组明显增大(F=6.63,P=0.018),重塑指数和EELA较术后7d组明显减小.术后45d组新生内膜增厚达最大,外膜细胞密度较术后30d组减小(F=6.91,P=0.015),新生内膜中胶原含量达最大,外膜中胶原含量较术后30d组减少,并见局部纤维化;管腔面积、重塑指数、IELA和EELA达最小,剩余狭窄率达最大. 结论 移植血管再狭窄是内膜增生和血管重塑共同作用的结果 .血管外膜的增厚、纤维化及胶原的重排对内膜增生和血管重塑起着重要作用,参与并促进了移植血管再狭窄的发生过程.     

MMP-2、MMP-9、TIMP-1在血管成形术后再狭窄中的表达及其意义的实验研究

目的观察PTA后MMP-2、MMP-9和TIMP-1在血管壁各层随时间的演变规律,探讨其在血管再狭窄过程中的表达及意义。方法48只大鼠制作成颈动脉再狭窄动物模型,选取30只内膜增生满意的标本,分别代表动脉损伤后1、3、7、14、28、42天6个观察时间点,对胶原纤维进行Masson染色。MMP-2、TIMP-1、PCNA进行免疫组织化学染色,MMP-9进行免疫组织化学和原位杂交两种染色。分析它们的表达与内膜增生和血管重塑的关系。结果正常血管不表达MMP-9mRNA及蛋白,损伤后第3天中膜、外膜mRNA表达达高峰,第7天内膜表达达高峰。MMP-9蛋白第7天内膜表达达高峰,且阳性细胞率高于中膜和外膜。第14、28天,血管壁各层表达逐渐下降至基线水平,内膜的阳性细胞主要集中在新生内膜靠近管腔的一侧。内膜MMP-2表达高峰出现晚至第14天,且近内弹力板处MMP-2也有明显的表达。正常血管壁不表达TIMP-1,损伤后第3天,中膜和外膜表达达高峰。第7天,新生内膜表达达高峰,中膜和外膜仍有较高水平表达。结论MMP-9、MMP-2、TIMP-1参与再狭窄,内膜MMP-9表达与早期增殖的细胞向内膜迁移形成新生内膜有关。MMP-2表达与晚期内膜形成、内膜重塑有关。TIMP-1的表达对内膜增生和重塑没有直接作用,其表达升高是机体为适应MMPs升高做出的代偿反应,在维持自身平衡中起作用。     

骨肉瘤中尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活因子和受体的表达

目的研究尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活因子(uPA)及其受体(uPAR)在不同外科分期骨肉瘤中的表达及意义.方法采用荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测32例骨肉瘤组织uPA和uPAR表达情况.结果肿瘤组织与癌旁组织和正常组织比较,uPA和uPAR表达的阳性率明显增高(P＜0.01).骨肉瘤Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期表达uPA的阳性率分别为22.2%(2/9)、76.9%(10/13)、90.0%(9/10),表达uPAR的阳性率分别为33.3%(3/9)、84.6%(11/13)、90.0%(9/10).uPA和uPAR在Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期、Ⅰ期和Ⅲ期骨肉瘤中表达差异均有显著性(P＜0.05、P＜0.01).结论uPA/uPAR在骨肉瘤组织中表达明显升高.肿瘤恶性程度越高,uPA/uPAR表达阳性率越高,提示uPA/uPAR与骨肉瘤恶性进展有高度相关性.     

聚对二氧环己酮血管外支架抑制移植静脉内膜增生的机制

目的 构建可降解性聚对二氧环己酮(PDS)血管外支架抑制移植静脉内膜增生的动物模型,探讨PDS外支架抑制移植静脉内膜增生的作用及其机制。方法 建立兔颈外静脉移植模型,24只新西兰大白兔分为单纯移植组(n=12)和PDS外支架组(n=12)。术后4周及12周取出移植静脉,测量移植静脉内膜、中层面积及厚度,免疫组织化学法和实时荧光定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)和肾素-血管紧张素Ⅱ受体1( AT1 R)表达。结果 24只兔均存活,移植血管全部通畅。外支架组中膜面积、内膜面积、中膜厚度、内膜厚度各值皆小于单纯移植组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。免疫组织化学与RT-PCR检测表明血管外支架组TGF-β1在外膜中过度表达,而中膜和内膜表达减少。术后4周,外支架组AT1R表达水平低于对照组,12周时,两组AT1R表达水平都降低,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。结论 大孔隙、非限制性PDS血管外支架通过形成新生外膜、调节细胞因子再分布等机制有效地抑制内膜和中膜的增生,其用于抑制移植静脉内膜增生是可行的。     

细胞凋亡在下肢静脉曲张发生机理中的作用

目的　探讨细胞凋亡和血管重塑(remodeling)在静脉曲张发生机理中的作用。方法　采用凋亡细胞原位检测(TUNEL)法,V.G.胶原纤维染色,静脉图像分析和电镜形态学等方法研究83例慢性静脉功能不全(CVI)和10例对照组。结果　①曲张静脉囊性扩张型与非囊性扩张型和对照组比较,内膜内皮细胞(ECs)、平滑肌细胞(SMC)和中膜SMC凋亡及凋亡指数显著增高,差异均有显著性意义(P＜0.01);②非囊性扩张型与对照组比较,差异无显著性意义(P＞0.05);③曲张静脉囊性扩张型和非囊性扩张型胶原含量均显著高于对照组(P＜0.05和P＜0.01);④囊性扩张型内膜、中膜明显变薄(P＜0.01);⑤逐步回归和相关分析提示静脉壁胶原蛋白含量和中膜SMC凋亡对静脉壁厚度作用较大(P=0.04143和P=0.006563)。胶原含量越高,管壁厚度越大(r=0.9777,P＜0.001);中膜SMC凋亡指数越大,管壁厚度越薄(r=-0.5432,P=0.003),而内膜ECs和SMC凋亡指数与管壁厚度无相关性(r=0.1619,P=0.420);⑥电镜超微结构显示曲张静脉ECs和SMC呈典型凋亡形态学特征。结论　静脉胶原含量增加,细胞过度凋亡和细胞构成减少导致静脉血管重塑,可能是静脉曲张发病机理之一。     

胶原在血管成形术后再狭窄中表达和意义的实验研究

目的观察PTA后胶原含量在血管壁各层随时间的演变规律,探讨胶原在血管再狭窄过程中的表达及意义。方法30只大鼠制作成颈动脉再狭窄动物模型,取损伤后1、3、7、14、28和42天6个观察点,对胶原纤维进行Masson染色。分析胶原与内膜增生和血管重塑的关系。结果①内膜的胶原第7天即开始表达并逐渐增多,第28天基本稳定。中膜胶原含量在整个过程中无统计学差异。外膜胶原第7天达高峰,后逐渐下降。②内膜、外膜胶原密度分别与内膜、外膜面积有相关性,内膜、中膜、外膜胶原密度都与管腔面积丢失率具有明显的相关性。中膜、外膜胶原密度与外弹力板面积缩小率具有明显的相关性。内膜、外膜胶原密度与内膜面积增长率具有明显的相关性。内膜胶原密度与内膜PCNALI有负相关性。③内膜胶原光密度在第7天即达高峰,随后逐步下降。中膜胶原光密度整个过程中无显著差异。外膜的胶原光密度PTA后第1天即开始上升,到第7天达高峰,随后逐步降至对照水平。结论再狭窄过程中胶原在内膜、外膜含量明显升高,中膜胶原含量基本保持不变。它们共同参与狭窄,内膜的胶原主要与内膜增生有关,中膜和外膜胶原主要与重塑有关。     

Expression of urokinase plasminogen activator and its receptor during acute renal allograft rejection

BACKGROUND: In inflammation, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) play an important role in fibrinolysis and in activation and chemotaxis of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Moreover, the uPA/uPAR system is involved in processes that affect turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The aim of this study was to determine the local and systemic release of uPAR, and the expression of uPA and uPAR in renal tissues during acute renal allograft rejection. METHODS: Blood, urine, and tissue samples were collected from 33 patients diagnosed with acute allograft rejection and from 14 transplant patients without rejection. From 10 healthy volunteers, blood and urine were collected as a control. In urine and blood samples, the levels of uPAR were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunostaining and in situ hybridization for uPA and uPAR were performed on renal biopsies. RESULTS: uPAR was detectable at low levels in serum and urine of healthy volunteers and was increased in nonrejecting allograft recipients. Serum and urine levels of uPAR were higher in transplant recipients with rejection compared to nonrejectors. The urine and serum levels of uPAR correlated with the renal function. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization showed an up-regulation of both uPA and uPAR in rejection biopsies. Nonrejected grafts displayed no expression of uPA and uPAR by immunostaining, or of uPAR by in situ hybridization. uPA was detected in a limited number of tubular epithelial cells by in situ hybridization. During rejection, lymphocytes as well as tubular epithelial cells showed uPA and uPAR expression. In the vascular types of rejection, strong expression of uPA was also seen in the entire vessel wall, while uPAR was expressed by the endothelium. CONCLUSION: This study shows that (1) uPA and uPAR are up-regulated during acute renal allograft rejection; (2) uPAR levels in urine and serum correlate with serum creatinine levels, and (3) uPA and uPAR are produced by inflammatory cells, tubular epithelium, and vascular endothelium during acute renal allograft rejection.     

Gene expression changes of urokinase plasminogen activator and urokinase receptor in rat testes at postnatal stages

Aim： To investigate the gene expression changes of urokinase plasminogen activator （uPA）/urokinase receptor （uPAR） in rat testes at postnatal stages and explore the effects of uPA/uPAR system on the rat spermatogenesis. Methods： The mRNAs of uPA and uPAR in rat testes were measured by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （PCR） at postnatal days 0, 5, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56, respectively. Results： The tendencies of uPA and uPAR mRNA expression were similar at most postnatal stages except for Do. The expression of uPAR mRNA in rats testes was relatively higher than that of uPA at postnatal Do, and both were decreased until D21, increased obviously at postnatal D28, reached a peak at postnatal D35, then declined sharply at postnatal D42 and retained at a low level afterwards. Conclusion： The uPA/uPAR system may be strongly linked to spermiation and spermatogenesis via regulating germ cell migration and proliferation, as well as promoting the spermiation and detached residual bodies from the mature spermatids.     

纤溶酶原激活物抑制物1与肝细胞癌

目的研究纤溶酶原激活物抑制物１（ＰＡＩ１）在肝细胞癌（ＨＣＣ）蛋白和ｍＲＮＡ水平的表达及其与ＨＣＣ生物学特性的关系。方法取ＨＣＣ石蜡标本４８例,肝良性肿瘤石蜡标本１２例（对照组）做免疫组化染色;液氮冻存ＨＣＣ标本２０例,肝血管瘤５例（对照组）做免疫印迹杂交。结果肝癌细胞与癌周细胞及对照组肝细胞相比,ＰＡＩ１抗原蛋白和ｍＲＮＡ表达显著升高,差异有显著意义,Ｐ值分别＜００１和＜０．０５。术后２年内死亡病例与生存病例相比,ＰＡＩ１阳性率有显著意义的升高,Ｐ＜００５。ＰＡＩ１和纤溶酶原激活物（ｕＰＡ）及其受体（ｕＰＡＲ）同时阳性患者与同时阴性患者相比,前者侵袭性病例较后者升高有显著性意义（Ｐ＜００５）。结论ＨＣＣ中ＰＡＩ１蛋白和ｍＲＮＡ表达明显增高。ＰＡＩ１与ＨＣＣ浸润转移和预后密切相关。     

Role of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in thrombospondin 1-mediated tumor cell invasion

We previously showed that thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) upregulates the plasminogen/plasmin system and promotes breast tumor cell invasion. Preliminary data from our laboratory using neutralizing antibodies suggested that the upregulation in breast tumor cell invasion seen in response to TSP-1 involved the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). To confirm these findings in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, we developed three other strategies to study the role of uPAR in tumor cell adhesion and TSP-1-mediated tumor cell invasion: (a) enzymatic cleavage of uPAR with glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C; (b) inhibition at the mRNA level with a uPAR antisense construct (cells named LKAS-MDA); (c) inhibition of plasminogen binding with the lysine analogue epsilon-aminocaproic acid. Adhesion to laminin and type I and type IV collagen with and without the addition of epsilon-aminocaproic acid was studied. Tumor cell invasion was studied in a modified Boyden chamber collagen invasion assay. Antisense uPAR inhibition decreased uPAR expression by 48-66% and cell-associated urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) by 30-68%. Additionally, antisense uPAR inhibition induced a 68-70% reduction in uPA and plasmin activities. Antisense uPAR transfection increased tumor cell adhesion by 46-53%. A similar effect was observed in epsilon-aminocaproic acid-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. TSP-1-mediated tumor cell invasion was almost completely inhibited by either antisense uPAR inhibition or treatment with phospholipase C or epsilon-aminocaproic acid. We conclude that uPAR plays a crucial role in the regulation of tumor cell adhesion and TSP-1-mediated tumor cell invasion.     

Thrombospondin-1 up-regulates tumor cell invasion through the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in head and neck cancer cells

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is expressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. We have also shown that TSP-1 promotes tumor cell invasion through up-regulation of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), in adenocarcinoma models. We now determined the role of TSP-1 in the regulation of uPAR expression and tumor cell invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: KB squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cells were used. The effect of TSP-1 on uPAR and its ligand, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), expression were determined by ELISA. The effect of TSP-1 on KB tumor cell invasion was determined in a modified Boyden chamber collagen invasion assay. To determine the role of uPAR on TSP-1-mediated KB tumor cell invasion, we used the three following different strategies: (a). blocking uPAR or its ligand, uPA, with neutralizing antibodies; (b). enzymatic cleavage of uPAR with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-specific phospholipase C; and (c). inhibition of plasminogen binding by using epsilon-aminocaproic acid. RESULTS: TSP-I up-regulated uPAR and uPA expression 3- and 4-fold, respectively. TSP-1 up-regulated KB tumor cell invasion 5-fold. Inhibition of uPAR blocked the TSP-1-mediated up-regulation of KB tumor cell invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a central role for TSP-1 in the regulation of uPAR and tumor cell invasion in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck cells. Furthermore, uPAR seems to play a crucial role in TSP-1-mediated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck tumor cell invasion.     

Expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and plasminogen activator inhibitors in patients with renal cell carcinoma: correlation with tumor associated macrophage and prognosis

PURPOSE: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) has an important role in tumor progression through the degradation of extracellular matrix. In addition, uPA receptor (uPAR) and plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAIs), composed of PAI-1 and 2, are also known to affect such activities. Tumor associated macrophage (TAM) is an important regulator of tumor progression that is associated with the uPA system in various cancers. However, to our knowledge the clinical significance of PAI-2 and the relationship between the uPA system and TAM in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues have not been investigated. We investigated and clarified these issues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects of the current study were 106 consecutive surgically resected specimens from patients with RCC. The expression of uPA, uPAR, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry. We also examined the relationships among these molecules, survival and TAM. RESULTS: The mean immunoreactive scores (range 0 to 6) of uPA, uPAR, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were 3.09, 2.22, 1.99 and 0.56, respectively. These scores correlated with the grade and presence of metastasis. The expression of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 but not PAI-2 correlated negatively with cause specific survival. Of uPA family members multivariate analysis showed that PAI-1 independently influenced cause specific survival. TAM counts correlated with PAI-1 only (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PAI-1 is an important regulator of tumor progression and survival, and PAI-1 may modulate them via TAM. On the other hand, PAI-2 has a minimum role in survival. Our results may help discussions of treatment strategy in patients with RCC.     

Effects of hepatocyte growth factor on urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor in DU145 prostate cancer cells

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and the uPA receptor (uPAR) are involved in a proteolytic cascade resulting of extracellular matrix degradation. Upstream, uPA and uPAR are regulated by various factors including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which stimulates the uPA/uPAR proteolytic system and increases invasion of cancers. We recently demonstrated that HGF induces invasion of DU145 prostate cancer cells into collagen gel matrix. We therefore examined effects of HGF on uPA and uPAR expression in DU145 cells. Effects of HGF on uPA expression in culture medium were determined by Western blotting and fibrin zymography, effects on uPAR expression in cell-associated protein were examined by Western blotting. HGF increased uPA and uPAR production in a dose-dependent manner up to 10 ng/mL, while effects of 20 ng/mL were approximately equal to those of 10 ng/mL. HGF stimulated uPA production beyond that in control cultures from 8 h until 48 h after HGF addition. HGF stimulated a uPA/uPAR proteolytic network in DU145 cells, which may be important for acquisition invasive potential by prostate cancer.     

Increased levels of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in prostate cancer cells derived from repeated metastasis

To understand alterations to the urokinase system that may occur in progressively metastatic prostate cancer cells, we assessed urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expression, in vitro motility towards vitronectin, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)-induced growth and growth factor regulation of uPAR expression in three cell lines—PC-3 and two derivatives from secondary metastases, PC-3M and PC-3MM2. DU-145 and Tsu-Pr1 cells were included for comparative purposes. uPAR expression increases with metastatic passage in these cell lines and accompanies increased growth and motility responses in the presence of uPA. Growth factors TGF1 and IGF-1 induce uPAR in all three prostate cancer lines; however, PC-3M and PC-3MM2 cells also respond to bFGF. Of the cell lines tested, PC-3MM2 most uniformly respond to added TGF1, IGF-1 and bFGF. These results show that in two progressive derivatives from repeated metastasis of PC-3 cells, constitutive and growth factor-induced uPAR expression is enhanced. This increased uPAR facilitates the properties of growth and motility.