HGF/MET signaling promotes glioma growth via up-regulation of Cox-2 expression and PGE2 production.

Cyclooxygenase2 (Cox-2) is well known for glioma growth through up-regulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. MET, a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, is also frequently high expressed in glioma, which promotes glioma growth and invasion. Here, we demonstrate that HGF/MET signaling can promote PGE2 production in glioma cells via Cox-2 up-regulation. RNA inhibition of MET suggested that MET signaling is essential for Cox-2 up-regulation. Moreover, HGF could enhance Cox-2 expression and PGE2 release. Knockdown of Cox-2 inhibited growth-promoting effects of HGF, suggesting that HGF/MET functioned via Cox-2/PGE2 pathway. Therefore, our work reveals a critical relationship of Cox-2/PGE2 and HGF/MET signaling in promoting glioma cells proliferation. Further, targeting MET and Cox-2 may represent an attractive target therapy for glioma.