APRIL, a new ligand of the tumor necrosis factor family, stimulates tumor cell growth

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M Hahne1, T Kataoka, M Schröter

  • 1Institute of Biochemistry, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|September 22, 1998
PubMed

Insights

A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), a novel tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member, is highly expressed in cancers. APRIL promotes tumor cell proliferation and growth, suggesting its role in cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family members mediate diverse cellular functions.
  • The role of novel TNF family members in cancer requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize a novel TNF family member, APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand).
  • To investigate the expression and function of APRIL in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of APRIL gene and protein.
  • Analysis of APRIL mRNA expression in normal and cancer tissues.
  • In vitro proliferation assays with recombinant APRIL.
  • In vivo tumor growth studies using APRIL-transfected cells.

Main Results:

  • APRIL transcripts are abundant in various human cancers (colon, thyroid, lymphoid).
  • Recombinant APRIL stimulates proliferation of tumor cells in vitro.
  • APRIL-transfected cells exhibit increased tumor growth rates in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • APRIL is a novel TNF family member implicated in tumor cell growth.
  • APRIL expression correlates with cancer, and it promotes tumor proliferation and growth.

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