CXCL13 mediates prostate cancer cell proliferation through JNK signalling and invasion through ERK activation

Objectives: The focus of this study was to determine the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK) and Akt signals involved in CXCL13-mediated prostate cancer (PCa) cell invasion and proliferation. Materials and methods: Androgen-sensitive (LNCaP), hormone-refractory (PC3) cells and normal cells (RWPE-1) were used to determine CXCL13-mediated PCa cell invasion and proliferation. Immuno-blotting, fast activated cell-based (FACE) ELISA, caspase activity, cell invasion and proliferation assays were performed to ascertain some of the signalling events involved in PCa cell proliferation and invasion. Results: Unlike androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells, we report for the first time that the hormone-refractory cell line, PC3, expresses DOCK2. CXCL13-mediated LNCaP and PC3 cell invasion was regulated by Akt and ERK1/2 activation in a DOCK2-independent fashion. CXCL13 also promoted LNCaP cell proliferation in a JNK-dependent fashion even in the absence of DOCK2. In contrast, CXCL13 induced PC3 cell proliferation through JNK activation, which required DOCK2. Conclusions: Our results show CXCL13-mediated PCa cell invasion requires Akt and ERK1/2 activation and suggests a new role for DOCK2 in proliferation of hormone-refractory CXCR5-positive PCa cells.