Hypoxia-inducible adrenomedullin accelerates hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth

Adrenomedullin is implicated in tumor progression and induced by hypoxia. We evaluated if adrenomedullin signaling is active in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially under hypoxic conditions, and to analyze its prognostic implication in HCC patients. HCC cells expressed adrenomedullin and its receptor, and hypoxia induced adrenomedullin expression. Adrenomedullin stimulated HCC cell growth via Akt activation, which was prevented by adrenomedullin peptide inhibitor. Clinico-pathological analysis revealed adrenomedullin extent was related to vascular invasion and N-cadherin intensity, which were reported to indicate a poor prognosis. In conclusion, adrenomedullin signaling is hypoxia-inducible and functionally active in HCCs, and its expression may be a prognostic factor.