The mir-423-5p/MMP-2 Axis Regulates the Nerve Growth Factor-Induced Promotion of Chondrosarcoma Metastasis.

A chondrosarcoma is a common tumor of the soft tissue and bone that has a high propensity to metastasize to distant organs. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is capable of promoting the progression and metastasis of several different types of tumors although the effects of NGF in a chondrosarcoma are not confirmed. Here, we found that the levels of NGF and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) correlated with the tumor stage in patients with a chondrosarcoma. NGF facilitated the MMP-2-dependent cellular migration in human chondrosarcoma JJ012 cells while the overexpression of NGF enhanced the lung metastasis in a mouse model of a chondrosarcoma. NGF promoted the MMP-2 synthesis and cell migration by inhibiting miR-423-5p expression through the FAK and c-Src signaling cascades. NGF appears to be a worthwhile therapeutic target in the treatment of a metastatic chondrosarcoma.