Stanniocalcin 2 promotes invasion and is associated with metastatic stages in neuroblastoma.

Full Abstract

Stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) is a secreted glycoprotein of as yet unknown functions. We investigated STC2 in human neuroblastoma, the most common solid extra-cranial tumor of infancy. In primary tumor samples, we found that expression of STC2 is associated with the metastatic Stages 4 and 4s and MYCN expression. In vitro, however, we demonstrate that cell proliferation is reduced by STC2 due to an increase in the basal apoptosis rate of the transfected cells. On the other hand, in vitro assays showed that STC2-transfected neuroblastoma cells have an increased invasive potential and display higher activity of collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2). Using experimental tumors on the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), we observed that STC2 expressing cells show signs of emigration from the solid tumor and destroy blood vessels of the CAM, giving rise to massively bleeding tumors. Erosion of blood vessels was also seen when purified STC2 protein was applied on the CAM. Taken together, we demonstrate a dual role for STC2 in neuroblastoma. It reduces proliferation of tumor cells in vitro, but increases the invasive potential and induces bleeding, and thereby may facilitate early metastasis. The potential of STC2 as a surrogate marker for metastatic neuroblastoma calls for further investigation. (c) 2009 UICC.

Author information

Author/s: Volland, Sonja (S); Kugler, Wilfried (W); Schweigerer, Lothar (L); Wilting, Jörg (J); Becker, Jürgen (J);

Affiliation: Abteilung Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Zentrum Anatomie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer (Int J Cancer), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Nov; vol 125 (issue 9) : pp 2049-57

Dates: Created 2009/09/03; Completed 2009/09/15;

PMID: 19582875, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/15/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.