The role of HB-EGF in cancer cell proliferation and malignancy

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23240126
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Tumor biology
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: MEKADA Eisuke 大阪大学, 微生物病研究所, 教授 (20135742)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: EGFファミリー / 増殖因子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have studied on the role of HB-EGF in cancer cell proliferation and malignancy. In 2011, we have studied the role of HB-EGF expressing at tumor stroma in uterine cervical cancer. We have shown that HB-EGF expressed in stroma and PDGF expressed in cancer cells contribute to the reciprocal interaction of cancer cells with cancer-associated fibroblasts and promote cancer cell proliferation in a paracrine manner, providing an insight for the novel combinatorial therapy. In 2012-2013, we have studied on the molecular mechanism of HB-EGF-inducing growth inhibition. In cardiac valve, HB-EGF inhibits the proliferation of mesenchymal cells. The study indicated that HB-EGF is expressed in cardiac epithelial cells and secreted toward the mesenchymal cells in developing heart valve tissue, where HB-EGF inhibits mesenchymal cell proliferation. P38 MAPK and JNK are involved in this process. Further study may provide a new paradigm for cancer therapy.

Free Research Field

腫瘍生物学、細胞生物学