Elevated SP/NK-1R in esophageal carcinoma promotes esophageal carcinoma cell proliferation and migration

• The density of SP positive nerve fibers increased with the growing ESCC tumor size.
• SP/NK-1R promoted ESCC cell growth, invasion and migration.
• SKF-96365 could reverse SP's effect on ESCC.

BackgroundEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains one of the most lethal malignant tumors, and currently there is no effective ways to manage the late stage disease. Therefore clarifying the mechanisms underlying the development of ESCC is of great importance to develop novel therapeutic agents. The present study focuses on the interaction between neurotransmitter substance P (SP) together with its receptor NK-1R and ESCC progression.MethodsThe distribution of SP positive nerve fibers and expression of NK-1R were detected in ESCC tissue using immunohistochemistry. The effects of SP stimulation and blocking on the growth and migration of ESCC cells were measured by in vitro and in vivo assay.ResultsA higher density of SP positive nerve fibers and elevated NK-1R expression on ESCC cells were observed. More importantly, the SP positive fiber density was correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. SP promoted ESCC cell proliferation and migration by modulation of intracellular calcium levels.ConclusionNK-1R activation by SP stimulation promotes growth and migration of ESCC cells.