Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) acts as a paracrine and autocrine factor for prostate cancer growth and invasion

BACKGROUND: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a key role in the recruitment and activation of monocytes during inflammation. Increased MCP-1 serum levels in patients with various cancers were correlated with advanced stage. Here, we evaluated the role of MCP-1 on prostate cancer (CaP) cell proliferation and invasion. METHODS: Expression of MCP-1 in tissue specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. MCP-1 production was determined by ELISA in conditioned media collected from primary prostate epithelia (PrEC), LNCaP, C4-2B, PC3 cells, and hFOB. Cell proliferation and invasion were assayed by MTS assay and invasion chambers. RESULTS: All CaP cells, as well as hFOB, produced high amount of MCP-1 compared to PrEC cells. MCP-1 expression levels were associated with advanced pathologic stage. MCP-1 induced proliferation and invasion of CaP cells and this was abolished partially either by CCR2 antagonist or PI3 Kinase inhibitor. CONCLUSION: MCP-1 acts as a paracrine and autocrine factor for CaP growth and invasion.