HGF stimulates proliferation through the HGF/c-Met pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met are important in the development and homeostasis of a variety of human malignancies. However, the role of the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been clearly elucidated. This study examined the effect of HGF/c-Met on proliferation and migration in several NPC cell lines. RT-PCR was used to detect the HGF gene in CNE-1, CNE-2, HK-1, HONE-1 and SUNE-1 NPC cells. However, HGF gene expression was not detected in any of these cells. Using immunoblotting analysis, the Met25 protein was identified in HONE-1, HK-1 and CNE-1 cells. Results from fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis revealed that anti-Met25 mAb specifically bound Met-expressing HONE-1, HK-1 and CNE-1 cells. It was further demonstrated that exogenous HGF was able to stimulate the proliferation of HONE-1 and HK-1 cells and the healing of scrape wounds in HONE-1 NPC cells. Our results reveal the potential therapeutic applications of combination therapy with antibodies targeting HGF in NPC patients.