LRG1 in pancreatic cancer cells promotes inflammatory factor synthesis and the angiogenesis of HUVECs by activating VEGFR signaling

Background: This study aimed to investigate the roles of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) in regulating angiogenesis during pancreatic cancer (PC) pathogenesis. Methods: LRG1 expression in tissues was detected by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. LRG1 in BxPC-3 and Capan-2 cells was knocked down or overexpressed. Cell viability and the migration and invasion abilities of cells were analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Transwell system, respectively. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-113), IL-18, and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) contents in cell culture were measured by ELISA, and the angiogenesis of HUVECs was assessed by the in vitro tube formation assay. In vitro LRG1 expression in BxPC-3 and Capan-2 cells was determined using immunofluorescence. Results: The results showed that LRG1 expression was significantly increased in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines. LRG1 knockdown inhibited the viability, migration, invasion, and IL-113 and IL-18 synthesis of BxPC-3 and Capan-2 cells. VEGFA synthesis in BxPC-3 and Capan-2 cells was also inhibited by LRG1 knockdown, which caused impaired tube formation of co-cultured HUVECs. LRG1 overexpression enhanced the viability, migration, and invasion of BxPC-3 and Capan-2 cells, also causing elevated tube formation of HUVECs and IL-113 and IL-18 synthesis in co-cultures of HUVECs and BxPC-3 or Capan-2 cells. Silencing of VEGF receptor (VEGFR) abrogated the enhanced tube formation and IL-113 and IL-18 synthesis in HUVECs co-cultured with BxPC-3 or Capan-2 cells overexpressing LRG1. Conclusions: In conclusion, LRG1, which is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells, promotes inflammatory factor synthesis and the angiogenesis of HUVECs though activating the VEGFR signaling pathway.