Loss of SPARC in bladder cancer enhances carcinogenesis and progression

Neveen Said, Henry F. Frierson, Marta Sanchez-Carbayo, Rolf A. Brekken, Dan Theodorescu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) has been implicated in multiple aspects of human cancer. However, its role in bladder carcinogenesis and metastasis are unclear,with some studies suggesting it may be a promoter and others arguing the opposite. Using a chemical carcinogenesis model in Sparc-deficient mice and their wild-type littermates, we found that loss of SPARC accelerated the development of urothelial preneoplasia (atypia and dysplasia), neoplasia, and metastasis and was associated with decreased survival. SPARC reduced carcinogen-induced inflammation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species as well as urothelial cell proliferation. Loss of SPARC was associated with an inflammatory phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages and fibroblasts, with concomitant increased activation of urothelial and stromal NF-κB and AP1 in vivo and in vitro. Syngeneic spontaneous and experimental metastasis models revealed that tumorand stroma-derived SPARC reduced tumor growth and metastasis through inhibition of cancer-associated inflammation and lung colonization. In human bladder tumor tissues, the frequency and intensity of SPARC expression were inversely correlated with disease-specific survival. These results indicate that SPARC is produced by benign and malignant compartments of bladder carcinomas where it functions to suppress bladder carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)751-766
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume123
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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