Transendothelial Migration of Myeloma Cells Is Increased by Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α via TNF Receptor 2 and Autocrine Up-Regulation of MCP-1

Abstract

The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been shown to facilitate leukocyte transendothelial migration. In multiple myeloma, TNF-α is an important factor in the promotion of growth and survival of the malignant cells. Studies have shown that enhanced TNF-α levels in myeloma patients correlated with aggressive disease. Therefore, we investigated the effect of recombinant human TNF-α on the migrational behavior of myeloma cells across the physiological barrier of the major disease compartment, i.e., human bone marrow endothelial cells. In the presence of TNF-α, we observed significantly increased migration both in established myeloma cell lines and in plasma cells from myeloma patients. Expression of TNF-receptor 2 (TNF-R2) but not TNF-receptor 1 (TNF-R1) was detected in myeloma cell lines. Myeloma cells of patients also showed expression of TNF-R2 but not TNF-R1. The effect of TNF-α could not be explained by altered expression of adhesion molecules or metalloproteases. Instead, we found an up-regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and confirmed that myeloma cells express the relevant receptor C-C chemokine receptor 2. Preincubation of myeloma cells with recombinant human MCP-1 also enhanced cell migration, and this effect, as well as the effect of TNF-α, was abolished by treatment with anti-MCP-1 antibody. In contrast, migration of myeloma cells in the direction of an MCP-1 gradient, i.e., chemotaxis, could not be observed in the cell lines investigated. Additionally, the mRNA level of TNF-α was up-regulated by the cytokine treatment, which points to an autocrine loop augmenting and/or stabilizing the TNF-α–MCP-1 pathway. In summary, our data clearly support additional investigations using anti-MCP-1 antibodies in myeloma progression.