PC cell-derived growth factor (PCDGF/GP88, progranulin) stimulates migration, invasiveness and VEGF expression in breast cancer cells

Metastasis is a multi-step process involved in the progression of breast cancer to a disease with poor prognosis. Growth factor and/or growth factor receptor over- expression have been reported to play an important role in this process. The 88 kDa glycoprotein PC cell-derived growth factor (PCDGF/GP88), also known as progranulin, has been shown to play a major role in breast tumorigenesis by stimulating proliferation, mediating survival and conferring resistance to tamoxifen. In the present paper, the metastatic potential of PCDGF/GP88 was examined in breast cancer. Using MCF-7 cells, we showed that PCDGF/GP88 over-expression stimulated anchorage-independent cell growth and accelerated cell migration through matrigel. Similar results were obtained with MCF-7 cells treated exogenously with PCDGF/GP88. Furthermore, gelatin zymograph and immunoblot revealed that matrix metalloprotease-9 was up-regulated by PCDGF/GP88. PCDGF/GP88 stimulated VEGF expression in MCF-7 cells. These results suggest that PCDGF/GP88 could act to promote metastasis and angiogenesis in human breast cancer cells in addition to stimulating their proliferation and survival.