Expression of human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (hG-CSF) in colon adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2)

Growth and progression of many cancer cells are mediated by alterations in the microenvironment often caused by an aberrant expression of growth factors and receptors. There is no report on expression of growth factor granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the experimental model, colon adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco2), that is commonly used in drug permeability assays. We hypothesize that in vitro, the Caco2 model is associated with a constitutive neo-expression of the hematopoietic G-CSF thereby causing an autocrine stimulation of Caco2 growth and proliferation in vitro. To test our hypothesis, we analyzed mRNA and protein expression of G-CSF in Caco2 cells using reverse transcriptase-PCR and SDS-PAGE. G-CSF mRNA and protein were detected in Caco2 cells. Expression of G-CSF protein was similar at different passages of this cell line. The expression of G-CSF has a significant role in the autocrine regulation of Caco2 cell growth and proliferation.