(P 16) HOW TO GROW A BONE IN 60 DAYS: EXPLORING THE UNIQUE PRO-GROWTH, ANTI-CANCER ENVIRONMENT IN ELK ANTLERS

Objective: Antler-bearing animals undergo rapid bone growth and cessation in annual cycles. In light of this proliferative activity, it is noteworthy that these animals have much lower cancer rates than humans and most other mammals. Prior work has revealed some anti-cancer properties of antlers (e.g., upregulated tumor suppression pathways), but the unique biomolecular architecture of this appendage remains poorly elucidated.

Methods: To further dissect distinct pro- and anti-proliferative pathways that allow rapid antler growth and cessation, we established a primary cell line from the tip of a Cervus canadensis antler and characterized its stemness qualities using immunofluorescence. Quantitative comparative proteomics on these elk antler cells along with elk velvet tissue, normal mouse bone, 143B human osteosarcoma cells, and MOSJ mouse osteosarcoma cells identified similar protein abundance between the elk and osteosarcoma cells.

Results: Elk cells displayed high levels of FUCA1, ISG15, and actin proteins and elk velvet was enriched for p75 receptor pathway members. Both elk cells and velvet upregulated MET signaling, while velvet tissue was specifically enriched for PDGF signaling compared to normal bone.

Conclusion: These proteomic analyses help identify distinct biological properties of antlers that may provide insights into how evolutionary pressures forge pathways for rapid, seasonally-restricted, finite growth with clear implications for studies of neoplastic bone disease, including sarcoma. These findings could have relevance for novel therapeutic approaches to bone tumors based on millions of years of antler evolution.