High-level expression of CXCL1/GROα in uterine cervix cancer is linked to advanced stage and facilitates tumor cell malignant processes in an autocrine/paracrine manner

Background It has previously accepted that several types of human cancer constitutively express CXCL1, which may implicated in various aspects of tumors. Here, we sought to assess the expression and of CXCL1 in human uterine cervix cancer (UCC) and its potential role and mechanism in UCC. Methods CXCL1 protein expression in a uterine cervical tissue microarray was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The roles of CXCL1 on HeLa UCC cells were detected by CCK-8, transwell and apoptosis assays. Western blotting and ERK1/2 blocker PD98059 were utilized to explore whether ERK signal was implicated in CXCL1-mediated UCC processes. Results CXCL1 was expressed by HeLa, PHM1-41 cells as well as cervical tissues, in which UCC tissues showed an obviously high level of CXCL1 compared with non-cancerous tissues. Additionally, of the cancer tissues, CXCL1 high-level expression was notably relevant to poor clinical stages. In vitro, the growth and migration of HeLa cells were enhanced in the presence of exogenous CXCL1. Gain-function assays revealed that CXCL1 overexpression promoted growth and migration response to HeLa cells via autocrine/paracrine manners. Moreover, CXCL1 also led to the inhibition of apoptosis in HeLa cells. Finally, CXCL1 overexpression in HeLa cells influenced the expression of ERK signal-related genes including ERK, p-ERK, cyclin D1 and Bax, and cell malignant behaviors derived from CXCL1 overexpresion were further interrupt in the presence of PD98059. Conclusion Our findings provided the potential roles of CXCL1 as a promoter and the novel understanding of the functional relation of CXCL1 with ERK signal pathway in UCC.