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Functional expression of TWEAK and the receptor Fn14 in human malignant ovarian tumors: possible implication for

Liying Gu1, Lan Dai, Cong Cao

  • 1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.

Plos One
|March 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) are expressed in malignant ovarian tumors, suggesting a potential tumor suppressor role by activating macrophages and serving as a diagnostic marker.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The expression and role of TWEAK/Fn14 in ovarian cancer are not fully understood.
  • Ovarian cancer remains a significant health challenge with a need for novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of TWEAK and Fn14 in human ovarian tumors.
  • To elucidate the role of TWEAK in ovarian cancer progression in vitro.
  • To explore the potential of TWEAK/Fn14 as a diagnostic marker for malignant ovarian tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect TWEAK and Fn14 expression in human ovarian tumor tissues.
  • In vitro cell culture models (HO-8910PM cells and THP-1 macrophages) were employed to study TWEAK's effects on proliferation, invasion, and cytokine production.
  • Conditioned media from activated macrophages were used to assess their impact on ovarian cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • TWEAK and Fn14 were significantly expressed in malignant ovarian tumors but absent in normal or benign tissues.
  • TWEAK alone or TNF-α alone did not inhibit HO-8910PM cell proliferation; combined TWEAK and TNF-α showed an inhibitory effect.
  • TWEAK activated macrophages to produce TNF-α and MCP-1, and conditioned media from these activated macrophages inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

Conclusions:

  • TWEAK/Fn14 signaling, through macrophage activation, may act as an ovarian tumor suppressor mechanism.
  • The specific expression of TWEAK/Fn14 in malignant ovarian tumors suggests its potential utility as a diagnostic biomarker.

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