Hepcidin and iron metabolism in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between Hepcidin and iron metabolism, and cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

METHODS: PC3 prostate cancer cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group, Hepcidin overexpression group, and Hepcidin low expression group. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels were measured by ELISA. The levels of the Hepcidin receptor membrane transporter, Ferroportin, were determined by Western blot. The intracellular iron distribution was determined by immunofluorescence assay. The cell proliferation rate was determined by MTT assay. Cell migration was measured by wound healing assay. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, higher PSA level (p<0.05), lower sTfR level (p<0.05), lower Ferroportin level (p<0.05), lower intracellular iron level (p<0.05), higher cell proliferation and migration rate, and lower apoptotic rate (p<0.05) were found in the Hepcidin overexpression group. The opposite results were found in the Hepcidin low expression group.

CONCLUSIONS: Hepcidin is highly expressed in prostate cancer cells, and can regulate cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis by increasing intracellular iron transportation.