Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) induces malignant transformation of the human prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-1

The carcinogenic potential of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was analyzed in non-tumor human prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1) and in vivo xenografts VIP induced morphological changes and a migratory phenotype consistent with stimulation of expression/activity of metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP 9 decreased E cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and increased cell motility VIP increased cyclin D1 expression and cell proliferation that was blocked after VPAC(1)-receptor siRNA transfection Similar effects were seen in RWPE-1 tumors developed by subcutaneous injection of VIP-treated cells in athymic nude mice VIP acts as a cytokine in RWPE 1 cell transformation conceivably through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) reinforcing VIP role in prostate tumorigenesis (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd All rights reserved