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SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine), is a matricellular glycoprotein that is produced by tumor and/or neighboring stroma. In human prostate cancer, SPARC immunoreactivity is highest in metastatic lesions but distinct contributions of tumoral and stromal SPARC to tumorigenesis and progression are unclear. To determine the role of SPARC in primary prostate tumorigenesis, we crossed SPARC-null (SP−/−) with TRAMP (Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate) mice. TRAMP+/SP−/− mice exhibited accelerated cancer development and progression. Compared to their TRAMP+/SP−/− counterparts, TRAMP+/SP+/+ tumors had fewer proliferating cells, and decreased cyclins A and D1 with increased p21Cip and p27Kip. Similar effects on proliferation and cell-cycle regulators were observed in human prostate cancer cell lines, transiently transfected with pSPARC. TRAMP+/SP−/− tumors exhibited decreased stromal collagen, enhanced matrix metalloproteinase activity and increased vascular endothelial growth factor, proinflammatory cytokines. To determine the contribution of stromal SPARC, we evaluated subcutaneous tumor growth of TRAMP cell lines in syngeneic SP+/+ and SP−/− mice. Enhanced growth, decreased stromal collagen and increased proteolysis were noted in SP−/− mice. Our findings demonstrate that both tumor and stromal SPARC are limiting for primary prostate tumorigenesis and progression, through effects on the cell cycle and the creation of a less favorable tumor microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine/osteonectin/BM-40 (SPARC) is a matrix-associated protein that elicits changes in cell shape, inhibits cell-cycle progression, and influences the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM). The absence of SPARC in mice gives rise to aberrations in the structure and composition of the ECM that result in generation of cataracts, development of severe osteopenia, and accelerated closure of dermal wounds. In this report we show that SPARC-null mice have greater deposits of s.c. fat and larger epididymal fat pads in comparison with wild-type mice. Similar to earlier studies of SPARC-null dermis, we observed a reduction in collagen I in SPARC-null fat pads in comparison with wild-type. Although elevated levels of serum leptin were observed in SPARC-null mice, their overall body weights were not significantly different from those of wild-type counterparts. The diameters of adipocytes from SPARC-null versus wild-type epididymal fat pads were 252 ± 61 and 161 ± 33 μm (means ± SD), respectively, and there was an increase in adipocyte number within SPARC-null fat pads in comparison with wild-type pads. Thus the absence of SPARC appears to result in an increase in the size of individual adipocytes as well as an increase in the number of adipocytes per fat pad. In fat pads isolated from wild-type mice, SPARC mRNA was associated with both the stromal/vascular and adipocyte fractions. We propose that SPARC limits the accumulation of adipose tissue in mice in part through its demonstrated effects on the regulation of cell shape and production of ECM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]