Stress hormones regulate interleukin-6 expression by human ovarian carcinoma cells through a Src-dependent mechanism.
Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic stress promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In ovarian cancer, levels of the pro-angiogenic cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), are known to be elevated in individuals experiencing chronic stress, but the mechanism(s) by which this cytokine is regulated and its role in tumor growth remain under investigation. Here we show that stress hormones such as norepinephrine lead to increased expression of IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in ovarian carcinoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that norepinephrine stimulation activates Src tyrosine kinase and this activation is required for increased IL-6 expression. These results demonstrate that stress hormones activate signaling pathways known to be critical in ovarian tumor progression.
Nilsson
Monique B
MB
Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Armaiz-Pena
Guillermo
G
Takahashi
Rie
R
Lin
Yvonne G
YG
Trevino
Jose
J
Li
Yang
Y
Jennings
Nicholas
N
Arevalo
Jesusa
J
Lutgendorf
Susan K
SK
Gallick
Gary E
GE
Sanguino
Angela M
AM
Lopez-Berestein
Gabriel
G
Cole
Steven W
SW
Sood
Anil K
AK
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D019061:src-Family Kinases; D009638:Norepinephrine