HSP47 contributes to angiogenesis by induction of CCL2 in bladder cancer

Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone and is involved in tumor progression by promoting angiogenesis. However, the regulatory network of HSP47 in angiogenesis remains elusive. In this study, we report a novel mechanism of HSP47-induced angiogenesis in bladder cancer (BC). We find that HSP47 is abnormally overexpressed in BC and is correlated with poor prognosis. HSP47 down-regulation suppresses angiogenesis in BC cells. Mechanistically, activation of the ERK pathway and induction of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) are responsible for HSP47-induced angiogenesis. The correlation between HSP47 with CCL2 and angiogenesis is further confirmed in BC clinical samples. Taken together, our findings suggest that HSP47 contributes to BC angiogenesis by induction of CCL2 and provide a potential anti-angiogenesis target for BC therapy.