NDRG2通过调控CD24影响肝癌细胞侵袭能力的研究

目的：阐明NDRG2（N-Myc downstream-regulated gene2）在肝癌细胞中对CD24的调控及其对乳腺癌细胞侵袭能力的影响。方法：Western blot检测低转移性的肝癌细胞Huh7、高转移性的肝癌细胞系MHCC97h及正常人肝细胞系L-02中NDRG2和CD24的表达;通过腺病毒载体上调MHCC97h细胞中NDRG2的水平,或利用siRNA下调Huh7细胞中NDRG2的表达,检测CD24的变化以及细胞侵袭能力的改变。结果：MHCC97h细胞中NDRG2基因和蛋白的表达水平低于Huh7细胞,而CD24的表达水平高于Huh7细胞;在MHCC97h细胞中上调NDRG2可以抑制CD24的表达并抑制其侵袭能力,而在Huh7细胞中下调NDRG2的表达可以提高CD24的水平及细胞的侵袭能力。结论：NDRG2可能通过影响CD24参与调控肝癌细胞的侵袭能力。     

NDRG2 通过影响CD24 调控乳腺癌细胞的粘附能力

目的:阐明NDRG2(N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 2)在乳腺癌细胞中对CD24的调控及其对乳腺癌细胞粘附能力的影响。方法:RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测乳腺癌细胞MCF-7及Bcap-37中NDRG2和CD24的表达;通过腺病毒上调MCF-7细胞中NDRG2的表达,或利用siRNA下调Bcap-37细胞中NDRG2的表达,检测CD24基因和蛋白的变化。粘附实验检测改变NDRG2表达水平后对MCF-7及Bcap-37细胞粘附能力的影响。结果:MCF-7细胞中NDRG2基因和蛋白的表达水平低于Bcap-37细胞,而CD24的表达水平高于Bcap-37细胞;在MCF-7细胞中通过腺病毒载体上调NDRG2可以抑制CD24的表达并抑制其粘附能力,而在Bcap-37细胞中利用siRNA下调NDRG2的表达可以提高CD24的水平及细胞的粘附能力;结论:NDRG2通过影响CD24参与调控乳腺癌细胞的粘附能力。     

骨桥蛋白通过调控MMP-2和VEGF参与肝癌细胞侵袭的机制研究

目的：骨桥蛋白（Osteopontin,OPN）在肝癌细胞侵袭中的作用机制。方法：采用siRNA干涉的方法处理人肝癌细胞,用PCR和Western-blot法检测OPN的表达;用transwell小室检测不同处理后的HepG2和MHCC97H细胞的侵袭能力;采用Western．b1．ot和ELISA方法检测基质金属蛋白酶-2（matrixmetalloproteinase-2,MMP-2）和血管内皮生长因子（vascularendothelialgrowthfactor,VEGF）蛋白表达和活力的变化情况。结果：在不同肝癌细胞系中,随着肝癌细胞系侵袭能力的增强,OPN的表达逐渐增高。siRNA可以降低HepG2和MHCC97H细胞中OPN的表达,并且能够降低HepG2和MHCC97H细胞的侵袭能力;抑制OPN的表达能够降低MMP-2和VEGF蛋白表达和蛋白活性。结论：OPN在肝癌侵袭过程中起着重要作用,其作用机制可能是通过调控MMP-2和VEGF蛋白表达和活性来参与肝癌的侵袭,OPN可作为肝癌侵袭转移治疗的新靶点。     

Calpain2对肝癌细胞浸润和转移能力的影响

目的：肝细胞癌（HCC）是一类常见的恶性肿瘤,主要表现为进展迅速、易复发及预后不良。侵袭转移作为肝癌的最主要的恶性表型,是造成较高致死率的主要原因。Calpain是钙激活中性蛋白酶,广泛参与了细胞多种生命过程。其中Calpainl和Calpain2是Calpain家族主要成员,对于维持肿瘤细胞恶性表型有重要作用。本研究通过RNA干涉技术下调人肝癌Huh7细胞中Calpain2基因的表达,检测下调Calpain2对人肝癌Huh7细胞黏附,侵袭和迁移能力的影响,明确Calpain2在人肝癌细胞浸润和转移过程中的作用。方法：合成Calpain2的RNAi片段,瞬时转染人肝癌细胞Huh7,降低Hull7细胞中Calpain2的表达,运用细胞黏附实验,细胞侵袭实验及划痕愈合实验检测干涉Calpain2对肝癌细胞的黏附,侵袭和迁移能力的影响。结果：合成Calpain2的RNAi片段。瞬时转染人肝癌细胞Huh73,36小时后,细胞中Calpain2的蛋白水平明显下降,干涉Calpain2后人肝癌细胞Huh7的黏附率,侵袭率及划痕修复率的显著下降。结论：以上实验结果表明Calpain2能够促进肝癌细胞黏附,侵袭及划痕修复能力,Calpain2能够促进肝癌细胞的浸润和转移的作用,是肝癌发生发展过程中的肿瘤促进因子。因此,Calpain2可以作为抑制肝癌侵袭和转移的潜在靶点,靶向Call＇ain2的药物可能成为治疗肝癌侵袭转移的新方法。     

溶血磷脂酸对不同转移性肝癌细胞迁移行为的影响

旨在研究溶血磷脂酸(Lysophosphatidic acid,LPA)对两种转移性不同的肝癌细胞MHCC97H和Hep G2迁移行为的影响。采用Transwell法检测肝癌细胞的迁移能力,RT-PCR检测肝癌细胞中LPA受体(LPA receptor,LPAR)m RNA水平的表达。结果显示,LPA对低转移性肝癌细胞Hep G2的迁移没有明显影响,但显著促进高转移性肝癌细胞MHCC97H的迁移能力。LPA对两种细胞的增殖都没有明显影响。RT-PCR实验发现两种肝癌细胞中LPAR的表达呈现差异,LPAR1在MHCC97H细胞中表达,但Hep G2细胞不表达。用LPAR1/3抑制剂Ki16425阻断MHCC97H中LPAR1的作用后发现,LPA对MHCC97H细胞的促迁移作用消失,表明LPA通过与LPAR1作用促进了MHCC97H细胞的迁移。LPA对不同转移性肝癌细胞迁移能力的影响存在差异,该差异可能来自于细胞表达LPAR的不同。     

抑癌候选基因NDRG2对结肠癌细胞SW620的迁移和侵袭力的影响

目的：观察NDRG2对结肠癌SW620细胞侵袭、转移等生物学行为的影响,探讨其可能的调节机制。方法：用阳离子脂质体转染方法分别转染pcDNA3.1-Ndrg2和SiRNA-Ndrg2于SW620细胞内48h,上调/下调NDRG2的表达;检测NDRG2基因mRNA及蛋白表达水平的变化;通过划痕试验及transwell细胞侵袭试验进一步对上调/下调NDRG2表达水平后的结肠癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力进行分析。结果：pcDNA3.1-Ndrg2转染SW620后,NDRG2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显升高,细胞的迁移和侵袭能力下降;SiRNA-Ndrg2转染SW620后,NDRG2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显降低,细胞的迁移和侵袭能力上升,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：NDRG2作为抑癌候选基因能够降低结肠癌细胞转移和侵袭能力。     

丹皮酚对肝癌MHCC97-H细胞PTEN、AKT表达的影响

目的:探讨丹皮酚(Paeonol,Pae)在体外对人肝癌MHCC97-H细胞PTEN、AKT表达的影响。方法:体外培养人肝癌MHCC97-H细胞,MTT法检测丹皮酚对MHCC97-H细胞的增殖抑制作用,RT-PCR法检测PTEN、Akt1、Akt2mRNA表达,West- ern Blot法检测PTEN、p-AKT蛋白的表达。结果:丹皮酚呈时间剂量依赖性抑制人肝癌MHCC97-H细胞的增殖;肝癌MHCC97-H细胞低表达PTEN,高表达AKT,丹皮酚能显著上调MHCC97-H细胞PTEN表达,下调AKT表达。结论:丹皮酚可上调抑癌基因PTEN的表达,下调致癌基因AKT的表达,抑制MHCC97-H细胞的增殖。     

糖基因ST6GAL家族在肝癌转移中的作用

目的通过研究糖基因ST6GAL家族在人肝癌高转移细胞株MHCC97-H和人肝癌低转移细胞株MHCC97-L中的差异表达,明确糖基因ST6GAL家族与肝癌转移的相关性,从而确证肝癌转移诊断及抗肿瘤治疗新靶点。方法采用Real-time PCR、Western Blot分析糖基因ST6GAL家族在人肝癌高、低转移细胞株的差异表达;通过RNA干扰技术干预差异表达的糖基因,检测干扰前后MHCC97-H细胞的体外侵袭能力及体内成瘤性。结果糖基因ST6GAL1在人肝癌高、低转移细胞株中表达差异具有统计学意义,而ST6GAL2的表达差异具无统计学意义;当通过RNA干扰技术特异性使MHCC97-H细胞中ST6GAL1表达下调时,该细胞在体外的侵袭能力下降及体内成瘤性受到抑制(P﹤0.05)。结论人肝癌细胞中糖基因ST6GAL1的差异表达与肿瘤细胞的侵袭、成瘤性密切相关,为肿瘤的化学治疗提供新靶点。     

泛素相关蛋白样因子2在肝癌中的表达及意义

目的:探讨肝癌中泛素相关蛋白样因子2(UBAP2L)的表达水平与预后的关系及其对肝癌细胞侵袭、转移能力的影响。方法:挖掘oncomine数据库,提取UBAP2L在肝癌与正常组织转录水平的变化及相关临床资料,采用Kaplan-Meier法分析UBAP2L表达水平与肝癌患者预后的关系。采用实时定量PCR、Western blot检测HCCLM3、MHCC97H、Hep3B、Huh7肝癌细胞株及正常肝细胞LO2中UBAP2L mRNA及蛋白水平,免疫组织化学染色法检测本院80例肝癌组织与癌旁组织中UBAP2L的表达水平加以验证。通过慢病毒载体使UBAP2L高表达的肝癌细胞株HCCLM3表达下调,采用克隆形成和划痕实验检测UBAP2L对肝癌细胞增殖能力和侵袭、转移的影响。结果:UBAP2L在oncomine数据库大多数队列呈高表达。UBAP2L在肝癌细胞株中的mRNA和蛋白的表达水平显著高于正常肝细胞(P0.05)。肝癌组织中UBAP2L阳性、强阳性表达率高于癌旁组织(P0.05),下调UBAP2L表达可明显抑制HCCLM3肝癌细胞的克隆形成能力和运动能力(P0.05)。UBAP2L高表达组的中位生存时间与UBAP2L低表达组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:UBAP2L在肝癌组织中呈高表达,下调UBAP2L表达可抑制肿瘤增殖和侵袭、转移表型,其可能成为肝癌早期诊断的生物标志物和治疗的潜在靶点。     

MicroRNA-433 Inhibits Liver Cancer Cell Migration by Repressing the Protein Expression and Function of cAMP Response Element-binding Protein

We show for the first time that potent microRNA-433 (miR-433) inhibition of expression of the cAMP response element-binding protein CREB1 represses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell migration. We identified a miR-433 seed match region in human and mouse CREB1 3′-UTRs. Overexpression of miR-433 markedly decreased human CREB1 3′-UTR reporter activity, and the inhibitory effect of miR-433 was alleviated upon mutation of its binding site. Ectopic expression of miR-433 reduced CREB1 protein levels in a variety of human and mouse cancer cells, including HeLa, Hepa1, Huh7, and HepG2. Human CREB1 protein levels in highly invasive MHCC97H cells were diminished by expression of miR-433 but were induced by miR-433 antagomir (anti-miR-433). The expression of mouse CREB1 protein negatively correlated with miR-433 levels in nuclear receptor Shp^−/− liver tissues and liver tumors compared with wild-type mice. miR-433 exhibited a significant repression of MHCC97H cell migration, which was reversed by anti-miR-433. Overexpressing miR-433 inhibited focus formation dramatically, demonstrating that miR-433 may exert a tumor suppressor function. Knockdown of CREB1 by siRNAs impeded MHCC97H cell migration and invasion and antagonized the effect of anti-miR-433. Interestingly, CREB1 siRNA decreased MHCC97H cell proliferation, which was not influenced by anti-miR-433. Overexpressing CREB1 decreased the inhibitory activity of miR-433. The CpG islands surrounding miR-433 were hypermethylated, and the DNA methylation agent 5′-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, but not the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A, drastically stimulated the expression of miR-433 and miR-127 in HCC cells. The latter is clustered with miR-433. The results reveal a critical role of miR-433 in mediating HCC cell migration via CREB1.     

Knockdown of MACC1 expression suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion and inhibited expression of MMP2 and MMP9

Expression of MACC1 (metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1) protein is associated with metastasis of various human cancers. This study analyzed MACC1 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue specimens and then investigated the effects of MACC1 knockdown on HCC cell migration and invasion, and gene expression levels. Sixty pairs of HCC and adjacent normal liver tissues from HCC patients were analyzed for MACC1 expression immunohistochemically. The HCC cell lines Hep3B, Huh7, MHCC97H, SMMC-7721, Bel-7402, and HepG2 and the normal liver cell line LO2 were used to assess expressions of MACC1 mRNA and MACC1 protein using qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. MACC1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knockdown MACC1 protein expression in Huh7 cells. Changes in the tumor phenotype of these cells were analyzed with wound healing assay and invasion assays, and differences in gene expression were evaluated via western blot. Immunofluorescence was used to locate MACC1 protein in the above cell lines. MACC1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and the nuclear expression of MACC1 protein was associated with poor tumor differentiation and intrahepatic metastasis or portal invasion. Moreover, MACC1 mRNA and MACC1 protein was also expressed in HCC cell lines. Immunostaining showed that MACC1 protein was localized in both nuclei and cytoplasm of HCC cell lines and the nuclear localization of MACC1 protein was associated with increased aggressiveness of HCC in cell lines. Knockdown of MACC1 expression using MACC1-shRNA reduced Huh7 cell migration and invasion abilities, which was associated with downregulation of MMP2, MMP9, and c-Met proteins in Huh7 cells. Localization of MACC1 protein to the nucleus may predict HCC progression. Knockdown of MACC1 expression using MACC1 shRNA warrants further evaluation as a novel therapeutic strategy for control of HCC.     

自分泌运动因子在肝细胞癌侵袭及转移中的作用

目的:探讨自分泌运动因子(AMF)在人肝细胞癌侵袭和转移中的作用。方法:人肝细胞系LO2和人肝细胞癌细胞株MHCC97-H作为实验材料,检测二者AMF的表达水平;设计并合成针对AMF基因序列的双链小干扰RNA转染高转移性人肝癌细胞株MHCC97-H,Western blot检测AMF基因的蛋白的表达水平;通过MTT实验检测转染后细胞的增殖力;通过体外Transwell小室对比沉默AMF基因前后的肝癌细胞的迁移力和侵袭力;最后用细胞悬液皮下接种小鼠,观察沉默AMF基因前后肝细胞的成瘤能力。结果:AMF在MHCC97-H的表达量较高;将双链小干扰RNA转入MHCC97-H后,AMF的表达显著降低(P0.05);沉默AMF基因序列后,MHCC97-H的增殖力、迁移力和侵袭力均有明显下降(P0.05);用细胞悬液皮下接种小鼠沉默AMF基因的MHCC97-H形成的肿瘤体积小于对照组(P0.05)。结论:AMF基因可调节肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭。     

miR-217 inhibits invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through direct suppression of E2F3

The poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mainly due to the development of invasion and metastasis. Recent data strongly suggests the important role of miRNAs in cancer progression, including invasion and metastasis. Here, we found miR-217 expression was much lower in highly invasive MHCC-97H HCC cells and metastatic HCC tissues. Restored miR-217 expression with miR-217 mimics inhibited invasion of MHCC-97H cells. Inversely, miR-217 inhibition enhanced the invasive ability of Huh7 and MHCC-97L cells. Mechanically, bioinformatics analysis combined with experimental analysis demonstrated E2F3 was a novel direct target of miR-217. Moreover, E2F3 protein level was positively associated with HCC metastasis and functional analysis confirmed the positive role of E2F3 in HCC cell invasion. Our findings suggest miR-217 function as a potential tumor suppressor in HCC progression and miR-217-E2F3 axis may be a novel candidate for developing rational therapeutic strategies.     

Derepression of c‐Fos caused by MicroRNA‐139 down‐regulation contributes to the metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma

This study investigates whether the anti‐metastasis effect of microRNA‐139 (miR‐139) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mediated through regulating c‐fos expression. The expression levels of miR‐139 and c‐fos in human HCC cell sublines with high (MHCC97H) and low (MHCC97L) spontaneous metastatic potentials were quantified using QPCR or Western blot. miR‐139 mimics was transfected into MHCC97H cells to overexpress miR‐139, and miR‐139 inhibitor was transfected into MHCC97L cells to down‐express miR‐139. The effect of overexpression or down‐expression of miR‐139 on c‐fos expression of MHCC97H and MHCC97L cells was evaluated using QPCR and Western blot. The 3′ untranslated region segments of FOS containing the miR‐139 binding sites were amplified by PCR, and the luciferase activity in the transfected cells was assayed. In comparison with the expression level of miR‐139 in MHCC97L cells, the expression level in MHCC97H cells was significantly decreased, whereas c‐Fos was significantly up‐regulated in MHCC97H. The overexpression of miR‐139 significantly inhibited the expression of c‐fos in MHCC97H cells, and the down‐expression of miR‐139 significantly promoted the expression of c‐fos in MHCC97L cells. miR‐139 suppressed the luciferase activity of the pGL‐FOS by approximately 40% compared with the negative control. In vitro cell migration analysis demonstrated that depletion of c‐fos or overexpression of miR‐139 in MHCC97H cells reduced cell migration, whereas overexpression of c‐fos or depletion of miR‐139 in MHCC97L cells increased cell migration. Thus, we got the conclusion that miR‐139 expression is down‐regulated in human HCC cell sublines with high spontaneous metastatic potentials (MHCC97H). Derepression of c‐Fos caused by miR‐139 down‐regulation contributes to the metastasis of HCC. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nucleostemin Knockdown Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Ultraviolet and Serum Starvation-Induced Apoptosis

Nucleostemin (NS) is a GTP-binding protein that is predominantly expressed in embryonic and adult stem cells but not in terminally differentiated cells. NS plays an essential role in maintaining the continuous proliferation of stem cells and some types of cancer cells. However, the role of NS in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the role of NS in HCC. First, we demonstrated high expression of NS in most HCC cell lines and liver cancer tissues. NS knockdown induced a severe decline in cell viability of MHCC97H cells as detected by MTT and cell proliferation assays. Next, we used ultraviolet (UV) and serum starvation-induced apoptosis models to investigate whether NS suppression or up-regulation affects HCC cell apoptosis. After UV treatment or serum starvation, apoptosis was strongly enhanced in MHCC97H and Bel7402 cells transfected with small interfering RNA against NS, whereas NS overexpression inhibited UV- and serum-induced apoptosis of HCC cells. Furthermore, after UV irradiation, inhibition of NS increased the expression of pro-apoptosis protein caspase 3 and decreased the expression of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2. A caspase 3 inhibitor could obviously prevent NS knockdown-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, our study demonstrated overexpression of NS in most HCC tissues compared with their matched surrounding tissues, and silencing NS promoted UV- and serum starvation-induced apoptosis of MHCC97H and Bel7402 cells. Therefore, the NS gene might be a potential therapeutic target of HCC.     

Notch信号通路对肝癌细胞迁移能力及E-cadherin，COX-2表达的影响

目的:探讨Notch信号通路对肝癌细胞迁移能力及钙粘附蛋白E(E-cadherin)、环氧化酶-2(COX-2)表达的影响。方法:体外培养肝癌细胞系(SMMC-7721、MHCC97H)、正常非肿瘤肝细胞系(HL-7702),Transwell小室用于测定细胞的迁移侵袭能力,Western blot蛋白印迹法用于测定Notch1、E-cadherin、COX-2蛋白的表达水平,并采用DAPT阻断Notch信号通路,比较肝癌细胞系与正常非肿瘤肝细胞系的迁移侵袭能力及肝癌细胞中E-cadherin、COX-2蛋白的表达水平的改变。结果:SMMC-7721细胞、MHCC97H细胞的迁移能力强于HL-7702细胞,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);相比于HL-7702细胞,MHCC97H细胞、SMMC-7721细胞中的Notch1、COX-2表达水平均显著升高,E-cadherin的表达水平明显降低(P0.05);DAPT处理后,SMMC-7721细胞、MHCC97H细胞发生迁移的能力均弱于对照组,差异有统计意义(P0.05);DAPT处理后,SMMC-7721细胞、MHCC97H细胞内COX-2、Notch1的表达量明显降低,而E-cadherin的表达水平升高(P0.05)。结论:Notch信号通路参与肝癌细胞迁移过程,其机制可能与E-cadherin、COX-2的表达相关。     

microRNA-489 Plays an Anti-Metastatic Role in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting Matrix Metalloproteinase-7

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is actively involved in the pathogenesis and tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). miR-489 was found to play either oncogenic or tumor suppressive roles in human cancers. Recent study reported that the levels of miR-489 in late recurrent HCC patients were evidently higher than that in early recurrent cases, suggesting that miR-489 may function as a tumor suppressive miRNA in HCC. Yet, the clinical value and biological function of miR-489 remain rarely known in HCC. Here, we presented that miR-489 level in HCC tissues was notably reduced compared to matched non-cancerous specimens. Its decreased level was evidently correlated with adverse clinical parameters and poor prognosis of HCC patients. Accordingly, the levels of miR-489 were obviously down-regulated in HCC cells. Ectopic expression of miR-489 in HCCLM3 and MHCC97H cells prominently inhibits the migration and invasion of tumor cells and reduced lung metastases in vivo, while miR-489 knockdown increased these behaviors of HepG2 and MHCC97L cells. Mechanically, miR-489 negatively regulated matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7) abundance in HCC cells. Herein, MMP7 was found to be a downstream molecule of miR-489 in HCC. An inversely correlation between miR-489 and MMP7 was confirmed in HCC specimens. MMP7 knockdown prohibited cell migration and invasion while MMP7 overexpression showed opposite effects on HCC cells. Furthermore, restoration of MMP7 expression could abrogate the anti-metastatic effects of miR-489 on HCCLM3 cells with enhanced cell migration and invasion. Altogether, miR-489 potentially acts as a prognostic predictor and a drug-target for HCC patients.