Cells (Oct 2022)

Apelin Promotes Prostate Cancer Metastasis by Downregulating TIMP2 via Increases in miR-106a-5p Expression

  • Tien-Huang Lin,
  • Sunny Li-Yun Chang,
  • Pham Minh Khanh,
  • Nguyen Thi Nha Trang,
  • Shan-Chi Liu,
  • Hsiao-Chi Tsai,
  • An-Chen Chang,
  • Jo-Yu Lin,
  • Po-Chun Chen,
  • Ju-Fang Liu,
  • Jeng-Hung Guo,
  • Chun-Lin Liu,
  • Hsi-Chin Wu,
  • Chih-Hsin Tang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11203285
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 20
p. 3285

Abstract

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Prostate cancer commonly affects the urinary tract of men and metastatic prostate cancer has a very low survival rate. Apelin belongs to the family of adipokines and is associated with cancer development and metastasis. However, the effects of apelin in prostate cancer metastasis is undetermined. Analysis of the database revealed a positive correlation between apelin level with the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer patients. Apelin treatment facilitates cell migration and invasion through inhibiting tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2) expression. The increasing miR-106a-5p synthesis via c-Src/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is controlled in apelin-regulated TIMP2 production and cell motility. Importantly, apelin blockade inhibits prostate cancer metastasis in the orthotopic mouse model. Thus, apelin is a promising therapeutic target for curing metastatic prostate cancer.

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