S1P stimulates chemotactic migration and invasion in OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells

OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells express three sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors, S1P1, S1P2, and S1P3, but not S1P4. Stimulation of OVCAR3 cells with S1P induced intracellular calcium increases, which were partly inhibited by VPC 23019 (an S1P1/3 antagonist). S1P-induced calcium increases were mediated by phospholipase C and pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G-proteins in OVCAR3 cells. S1P stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 kinase, and Akt which were inhibited by PTX. S1P-stimulated chemotactic migration of OVCAR3 cells in a PTX-sensitive manner, indicating crucial role of Gi protein(s) in the process. S1P-induced chemotactic migration of OVCAR3 cells was completely inhibited by LY294002 and SB203580. Pretreatment of VPC 23019 (an S1P1/3 antagonist) completely inhibited S1P-induced chemotaxis. S1P also induced invasion of OVCAR3 cells, which was also inhibited by VPC 23019. Taken together, this study suggests that S1P stimulate chemotactic migration and cellular invasion, and VPC 23019-sensitive S1P receptor(s) might be involved in the processes.