Open AccessA novel potential role of pituitary gonadotropins in the pathogenesis of human colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Wojciech Marlicz,
Agata Poniewierska-Baran,
Sylwia Rzeszotek,
Rafał Bartoszewski,
Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka,
Teresa Starzyńska,
Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0189337
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , pathogenesis , cancer , medicine , oncology , cancer research , bioinformatics , biology , endocrinology
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death in the western world, and its incidence increases with patient age. It is also known that with age there occur changes in the levels of certain hormones, including an increase in the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins (PtGs) as a result of the loss of gonadal hormone feedback. We recently reported that functional PtG receptors are expressed in human lung cancer cells, rhabdomyosarcoma cells, and malignant hematopoietic stem cells. Findings Here we report for the first time that the receptors for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are expressed in primary tumor samples isolated from CRC patients as well as in the established human CRC cell lines HTC116 and HTB37. Moreover, we also report that PtGs stimulate chemotaxis, adhesion, and proliferation of these cell lines. Conclusions Our results suggest that PtGs play an important and underappreciated role in CRC pathogenesis, and we call for further studies to better define their role in gastrointestinal malignancies and their direct effect on putative CRC cancer stem cells.