Recombinant HE4 protein promotes proliferation of pancreatic and endometrial cancer cell lines

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the most deadly malignancies, and endometrial cancer represents the most common gynecologic cancer in the USA. Better understanding on the pathologic mechanisms and pathways is required for effective treatment of these malignancies. Recently, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4 or WFDC2), a secretory glycoprotein, was found to be overexpressed in pancreatic and endometrial cancers. In addition, studies have shown that HE4 overexpression in endometrial cancer cell lines led to faster cancer progression in a mouse subcutaneous model. These findings raise a question on the role(s) of secretory, extracellular HE4 in cancer development. In the present study, we found that treatment of pancreatic and endometrial cancer cell lines with purified, extracellular HE4 protein led to a significant increase in cell viability and proliferation. Moreover, extracellular HE4 protein was able to increase DNA synthesis, and modulate the mRNA and protein levels of cell cycle marker PCNA and cell cycle inhibitor p21. These effects appeared to be robust and sustainable and required a relatively low concentration of HE4 protein. The findings indicated the secreted, extracellular HE4 may carry some physiopathological functions. Via paracrine/endocrine actions, circulatory HE4 produced by malignant cells may contribute to pancreatic and endometrial cancer progression and/or metastasis.