CCL21 modulates the migration of NSCL cancer by changing the concentration of intracellular Ca2+

Recurrence and metastasis are the major factors associated with the poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It has been shown that multiple chemokines and their receptors are related to the progression and metastasis of NSCLC. The aim of this study was to conduct an investigation into whether CCL21 and its receptor, CCR7, play a role in NSCLC invasion and metastasis. We used Western blotting, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry to detect CCR7 protein expression in four NSCLC cell lines EKVX, HOP-62, NCI-H23 and Slu-01; and we conducted a cell migration experiment to observe the pseudopodia formation and mobility of the lung cancer cells. The concentration of intracellular calcium was measured by fluorescence microscopy. CCR7 protein was positively expressed in the four NSCLC cell lines EKVX, HOP-62, NCI-H23 and Slu-01. Following CCL21 stimulation, obvious pseudopodia formation of lung cancer cells was observed. The cell migration experiment showed that following incubation with CCL21, the number of EKVX cells which passed through the polycarbonate micro-porous filter membranes also increased to an obvious extent. After CCL21 incubation, the intracellular Ca2+ level of the EKVX cells increased to an obvious extent. Chemokine CCL21 facilitates the migration of lung cancer by changing the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. The CCL21-CCR7 axis may play an important role in NSCLC invasion and metastasis. It may also be a potential target for NSCLC therapy or for prevention of the recurrence and metastasis of NSCLC.