The transgenic expression of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin influences the growth of implanted tumor cells.

The transgenic expression of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin influences the growth of implanted tumor cells. Oncotarget. 2018 Oct 05;9(78):34670-34680 Authors: Singh P, Sarkar M, Agrawal U, Huhtaniemi I, Pal R Abstract The beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) is secreted by various tumors, and its presence associated with poor prognosis. Though exogenous hCG elicits the synthesis of molecules associated with angiogenesis, invasion, immune suppression and chemoresistance from responsive tumor cells in vitro, the influence of cell-extrinsic βhCG on tumorigenesis in vivo has not been adequately explored. Female C57BL/6-/- × FVBβhCG/- F1 transgenic mice demonstrated ovarian hyperplasia and pituitary adenomas; transcripts of hCG-driven, tumor-associated molecules were heightened in the pituitary. Upon the implantation of Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells (murine lung tumor cells derived from C57BL/6 mice) in transgenic mice, tumor incidence and volume were enhanced, and increased transcription and expression of hCG-driven, tumor-associated molecules was observed in excised tumors. While treatment of these mice with Cabergoline (a potent dopamine receptor agonist) had no significant effects, ovariectomy resulted in a reduction in the lag phase, accompanied by an increase in tumor incidence and volume upon Lewis Lung Carcinoma cell implantation. In tumors derived from Lewis Lung Carcinoma cell-implanted ovariectom...
Source: Oncotarget - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Oncotarget Source Type: research