Wnt2 protein plays a role in the progression of pancreatic cancer promoted by pancreatic stellate cells.
This study aimed to investigate the expression of Wnt2 protein in pancreatic cancer tissues and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), and determine its effect on the biological functions of pancreatic cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression pattern of Wnt2 in pancreatic cancer tissues. The relationship between Wnt2 protein expression level and patient prognosis was analyzed. PSCs were isolated and cultured. The expression of Wnt2 in activated PSCs was investigated using Western blot and immunofluorescence. We also analyzed the effect of Wnt2 recombinant protein and stellate cell culture supernatant on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, as well as the effect of Wnt2 recombinant protein on the biological functions of pancreatic cancer cells. The expression of Wnt2 in interstitial cells of pancreatic cancer was correlated with the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. Wnt2 protein was expressed in activated PSCs. Both stellate cell culture supernatant and Wnt2 recombinant protein could activate the classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Wnt2 protein enhanced the migration, invasion, and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells. These results suggested that Wnt2 protein secreted by PSCs promoted the progression of pancreatic cancer by activating the classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasonography, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China.
Yong
Y
Xu
Hua
H
Li
Chongbiao
C
Huang
Tiansuo
T
Zhao
Huan
H
Zhang
Chen
C
Zheng
He
H
Ren
Jihui
J
Hao
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D058954:Pancreatic Stellate Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D051154:Wnt2 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
C495244:WNT2 protein, human; D051154:Wnt2 Protein; D051176:beta Catenin