Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-6 inhibits IGF-II-induced but not basal proliferation and adhesion of LIM 1215 colon cancer cells

ICF-II is an autocrine growth factor for many colon cancer cells. This study aimed to determine the role of IGF-II in proliferation and adhesion of LIM 1215 colon cancer cells. RT-PCR demonstrated expression of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA. Addition of IGF-I or II increased monolayer proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Although addition of IGFBP-6 had no effect on basal proliferation, coincubation of IGFBP-6 decreased IGF-II but not IGF-I-induced proliferation. Colony formation in agar was increased by IGF-II, an effect inhibited by coincubation with IGFBP-6. IGFBP-6 alone significantly decreased colony formation. Preincubation of cells with IGF-II increased adhesion to type IV collagen, fibronectin and laminin. IGFBP-6 had no effect on basal cell adhesion but completely inhibited the effects of IGF-II. LIM 1215 colon cancer cells are therefore IGF-responsive but IGF-II is not a major autocrine factor for these cells in monolayer, suggesting heterogeneity between colon carcinoma cell lines with respect to the role of the IGF system. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.