Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling and Crosstalk With Aspartate-β-Hydroxylase Modulate Chondrosarcoma Cell Growth and Invasive Potential

Background/Aim: Aspartate β-Hydroxylase (ASPH) is an oncofetal protein overexpressed in malignancies, including chondrosarcoma. Although its functional roles in malignant neoplastic cell motility and invasiveness have been linked to hydroxylation of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains expressed in molecules such as Notch and Jagged, its relationship to EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling has not been investigated. This study utilized CS-1 (high grade) and CDS-11 (intermediate grade) human chondrosarcoma cell lines to characterize the effects of EGFR stimulation on ASPH expression and function. Materials and Methods: CS-1 and CDS11 cells were treated with the trophic factors EGF, TGF-α, TGF-β, IGF-1, or vehicle (0.5% FBS) and assayed for growth, viability, morphology, motility, invasiveness, EGFR activation, Notch pathway gene expression, and ASPH expression.