title: Elevated SP/NK-1R in esophageal carcinoma promotes esophageal carcinoma cell proliferation and migration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains one of the most lethal malignant tumors, and currently there is no effective ways to manage the late stage disease. Therefore clarifying the mechanisms underlying the development of ESCC is of great importance to develop novel therapeutic agents. The present study focuses on the interaction between neurotransmitter substance P (SP) together with its receptor NK-1R and ESCC progression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The distribution of SP positive nerve fibers and expression of NK-1R were detected in ESCC tissue using immunohistochemistry. The effects of SP stimulation and blocking on the growth and migration of ESCC cells were measured by in vitro and in vivo assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher density of SP positive nerve fibers and elevated NK-1R expression on ESCC cells were observed. More importantly, the SP positive fiber density was correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. SP promoted ESCC cell proliferation and migration by modulation of intracellular calcium levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NK-1R activation by SP stimulation promotes growth and migration of ESCC cells.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University of China, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors: Jiaqiang
authors: J
authors: Dong
authors: State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University of China, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors: Fan
authors: F
authors: Feng
authors: State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University of China, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors: Guanghui
authors: G
authors: Xu
authors: State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University of China, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors: Hongwei
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University of China, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors: Liu
authors: L
authors: Hong
authors: State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University of China, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China. Electronic address: xiaohuajianjun@126.com.
authors: Jianjun
authors: J
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008875:Middle Aged; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000502:physiology; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007093:Imidazoles; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; C103788:3-((3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methyloxy)-2-phenylpiperidine; D013373:Substance P; C063159:1-(2-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy)-4-methoxyphenylethyl)-1H-imidazole
keywords: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Migration; NK-1R; Proliferation; Substance P