Expression and role of MIG/CXCR3 axis in mantle cell lymphoma

• Published in: Experimental cell research 2020-12, Vol.397 (2), p.112365-112365, Article 112365
• Main Authors: Zhu, Ming-Xia, Wan, Wen-Li, Hong, Yun, Wang, Yan-Fang, Dong, Fei, Jing, Hong-Mei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Case-Control Studies; Cell Proliferation; Chemokine CXCL9 - metabolism; CXC receptor 3 (CXCR3); Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell - metabolism; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell - pathology; Male; Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL); Middle Aged; Migration; Monokine induced by gammainterferon (MIG); Prognosis; Receptors, CXCR3 - metabolism; Survival Rate; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor microenvironment (TME)
• ISSN: 0014-4827; 1090-2422
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112365

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a unique subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a generally aggressive and heterogeneous clinical course. Chemokines are one of the complex components in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and they play a vital role in tumor progression and metastasis. There is no information about the monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG)/CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) axis in patients with MCL. In the present study, we discovered that CXCR3 was highly expressed in MCL tissues and some cell lines including Maver, Z138, and Jeko-1, and significantly associated with clinical factors reflecting high tumor burden in MCL patients. Moreover, elevated serum MIG at diagnosis showed a close relationship with advanced disease and poor prognosis in MCL patients. Additionally, the role of CXCR3 in promoting the proliferation and inhibiting the apoptosis of primary MCL cells and Jeko-1 cells was validated by in vitro experiments. Further research indicated that the MIG/CXCR3 axis mediated MCL cell migration to the TME through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, the MIG/CXCR3 axis might be a potential target with fewer off-target side effects than other targets in MCL. •MIG binding CXCR3 played an important role in the tumor microenvironment of mantle cell lymphoma.•MIG favored MCL cells proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro.•The MIG/CXCR3 axis might be a potential target for MCL therapy.