title: Artemin stimulates oncogenicity and invasiveness of human endometrial carcinoma cells.
abstract: Here, we provide evidence for a functional role of artemin (ARTN) in progression of endometrial carcinoma (EC). Increased ARTN protein expression was observed in EC compared with normal endometrial tissue, and ARTN protein expression in EC was significantly associated with higher tumor grade and invasiveness. Forced expression of ARTN in EC cells significantly increased total cell number as a result of enhanced cell cycle progression and cell survival. In addition, forced expression of ARTN significantly enhanced anchorage-independent growth and invasiveness of EC cells. Moreover, forced expression of ARTN increased tumor size in xenograft models and produced highly proliferative, poorly differentiated, and invasive tumors. The ARTN-stimulated increases in oncogenicity and invasion were mediated by increased expression and activity of AKT1. Small interfering RNA-mediated depletion or antibody inhibition of ARTN significantly reduced oncogenicity and invasion of EC cells. Thus, inhibition of ARTN may be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy to retard progression of EC.
authors.affiliation: The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, 2-6 Park Avenue, Private Bag 92019 Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: Peng-Xu
authors.initials: PX
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jo K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: Murray D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Zhinan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Zheng-Sheng
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Dong-Xu
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Lobie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009215:Myometrium / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: C490886:ARTN protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins