Autocrine secretion of a colorectum-derived growth factor by HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line

The human colon cancer cell line HT-29 produces a growth factor (CRDGF; Mr = 25,000) which inhibits EGF binding to a wide variety of different normal and tumoral cell types in culture. Scatchard analysis of EGF binding shows that CRDGF induces a decrease in EGF receptor affinity. In contrast, EGF binding to any of the human colorectal cancer cell lines tested, i.e., HT-29, HT-29 (clone D4), HRT-18 or CAL-14, remains unaltered in the presence of exogenous CRDGF. However, the inhibitory effect of CRDGF becomes apparent on HT-29 cells after overnight exposure of these to suramin (at 37 degrees C). A short exposure to suramin (1 hr at 4 degrees C) or a mild acid washing of HT-29 cells can partially restore the inhibitory activity of CRDGF. These observations suggest that the action of suramin results in an unmasking of substantial levels of CRDGF receptors on HT-29 cells. Scatchard analysis of EGF binding on suramin-treated HT-29 cells shows that CRDGF inhibits EGF binding by decreasing EGF receptor affinity, as previously observed with the non-colonic cell types. A similar unmasking of CRDGF receptors is observed when the other colorectal cell lines are exposed to suramin. These results provide evidence for a model in which the colorectal cell lines have the property of secreting a unique growth factor that binds to its receptor by an autocrine mechanism.