Stress hormones regulate interleukin-6 expression by human ovarian carcinoma cells through a Src-dependent mechanism

Monique B. Nilsson, Guillermo N Armaiz Pena, Rie Takahashi, Yvonne G. Lin, Jose Trevino, Yang Li, Nicholas Jennings, Jesusa Arevalo, Susan K. Lutgendorf, Gary E Gallick, Angela M. Sanguino, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Steven W. Cole, Anil K. Sood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

136 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic stress promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In ovarian cancer, levels of the pro-angiogenic cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), are known to be elevated in individuals experiencing chronic stress, but the mechanism(s) by which this cytokine is regulated and its role in tumor growth remain under investigation. Here we show that stress hormones such as norepinephrine lead to increased expression of IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in ovarian carcinoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that norepinephrine stimulation activates Src tyrosine kinase and this activation is required for increased IL-6 expression. These results demonstrate that stress hormones activate signaling pathways known to be critical in ovarian tumor progression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)29919-29926
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume282
Issue number41
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 12 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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