Cancer cell-derived IL-1α promotes HGF secretion by stromal cells and enhances metastatic potential in pancreatic cancer cells

Background and Objectives Interleukin (IL)‐1α and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) play an important role in pancreatic cancer proliferation, angiogenesis, and invasiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the cooperative role of HGF and IL‐1α in metastatic processes promoted by interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and stromal cells. Methods Expression of IL‐1α and HGF mRNA and protein was determined by RT‐PCR and ELISA. The effect of HGF on metastatic potential was evaluated by proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis assays using an in vitro system consisting of co‐cultured tumor cells and stromal cells. Results IL‐1α expression was closely correlated with metastatic potential, and cancer cell‐derived IL‐1α significantly promoted HGF expression by fibroblasts (P