Enhanced Growth of Pancreatic Tumors in SPARC-Null Mice Is Associated With Decreased Deposition of Extracellular Matrix and Reduced Tumor Cell Apoptosis11Supported in part by NIH grants (F32 HL10352 to R.A. Brekken and R01 GM40711 and R01 HL59574 to E.H. Sage), Gilbertson Foundation grant to the Hope Heart Institute, National Science Foundation grant (EEC-959161) to the University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Center, American Cancer Society and Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Award (47411/56540 to R.A. Brekken), and Helsinki University Central Hospital Research Funds (EV0, Finland to P.A. Puolakkainen).Note P.A. Puolakkainen and R.A. Brekken contributed equally to this work.
Abstract
SPARC, a matricellular glycoprotein, modulates cellular interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Tumor growth and metastasis occur in the context of the ECM, the levels and deposition of which are controlled in part by SPARC. Tumor-derived SPARC is reported to stimulate or retard tumor progression depending on the tumor type, whereas the function of host-derived SPARC in tumorigenesis has not been explored fully. To evaluate the function of endogenous SPARC, we have examined the growth of pancreatic tumors in SPARC-null ( SP −/− ) mice and their wild-type ( SP +/+ ) counterparts. Mouse pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells injected s.c. grew significantly faster in SP −/− mice than cells injected into SP +/+ animals, with mean tumor weights at sacrifice of 0.415 ± 0.08 and 0.086 ± 0.03 g ( P < 0.01), respectively. Lack of endogenous SPARC resulted in decreased collagen deposition and fiber formation, alterations in the distribution of tumor-infiltrating macrophages, and decreased tumor cell apoptosis. There was no difference in microvessel density of tumors from SP −/− or SP +/+ mice. However, tumors grown in SP −/− had a lower percentage of blood vessels that expressed smooth muscle α-actin, a marker of pericytes. These data reflect the importance of ECM deposition in regulating tumor growth and demonstrate that host-derived SPARC is a critical factor in the response of host tissue to tumorigenesis.