枸杞多糖抑制SMMC-7721肝癌细胞的VEGF表达、迁移与侵袭

目的研究枸杞多糖(lycium barbarum polysaccharide,LBP)对SMMC-7721肝癌细胞迁移、侵袭影响的机制。方法运用MTT法检肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的增殖率,Transwell检测细胞的迁移力和侵袭力,应用血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)小分子干扰RNA沉默VEGF表达,转染pcDNA 3.1-VEGF过表达VEGF,Western blot和qRT-PCR检测VEGF、MMP-2和MMP-9表达。结果 LBP(100、200、400μg/ml)处理可抑制SMMC-7721细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,并抑制MMP-2、MMP-9和VEGF表达;沉默VEGF可降低SMMC-7721细胞迁移、侵袭相关蛋白MMP-2和MMP-9水平,过表达VEGF可逆转LBP对SMMC-7721细胞迁移和侵袭相关蛋白MMP-2和MMP-9水平的抑制作用。结论枸杞多糖可抑制肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭,其机制可能与直接抑制VEGF有关。     

沉默EVL表达抑制肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的增殖和迁移能力

Ena/VASP 样蛋白（Ena/VASP like protein,EVL）是Ena/VASP家族成员之一,它参与肌动蛋白细胞骨架重组,以及细胞迁移、收缩环形成和细胞间附着.EVL在肝癌SMMC-7721细胞中高表达. 抑制EVL蛋白表达后,SMMC-7721细胞的增殖与迁移能力降低.为研究EVL在肝癌细胞的功能,构建了靶向shRNA干扰表达载体,稳定转染肝癌SMMC-7721细胞. MTT实验和细胞集落形成实验显示,与转染对照比较,沉默EVL蛋白表达可明显抑制SMMC-7721肝癌细胞的增殖、集落形成能力. Transwell实验证明,沉默EVL表达导致SMMC-7721细胞迁移能力降低. 进而,流式细胞术揭示,沉默EVL表达的SMMC-7721细胞G0/G1期细胞比例增多.研究结果提示,EVL蛋白可促进肝癌细胞的增殖与迁移;该结果可解释EVL在肝癌细胞中高表达的意义.     

重组人IL-18-EGF的双顺反子表达及其对NK细胞和肝癌细胞的影响

构建重组人IL-18-EGF肿瘤靶向分子双顺反子原核表达系统,研究重组人IL-18-EGF融合蛋白对人自然杀伤细胞（natural killer cell,NK细胞）和人肝癌细胞（SMMC-7721）的影响。构建重组人IL-18-EGF原核双顺反子表达系统pET28a（＋）-proIL-18-EGF-Caspase-4/BL21,重组蛋白经纯化后,作用于NK细胞,应用CCK-8法和ELISA试剂盒分别检测NK细胞的增殖情况和IFN-γ的分泌量。Cy3荧光标记IL-18-EGF检测融合蛋白与肿瘤细胞表面EGFR的结合情况。IL-18-EGF与NK细胞共同孵育24 h后,取培养上清液作用于人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721,分别使用细胞划痕实验和Transwell小室实验检测IL-18-EGF对肝癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响。实验结果显示：重组人IL-18-EGF能加快NK细胞的增殖,促进NK细胞分泌IFN-γ;IL-18-EGF能与肿瘤细胞表面EGFR特异性结合;细胞划痕实验中,重组人IL-18-EGF组空白区域的抗填充能力高于对照组;Transwell小室实验中,12,24,48 h时IL-18-EGF组细胞穿膜数分别为94.6±2.9、101.8±4.0和116.2±4.5,均显著低于相应时间的对照组（分别为128.6±8.5、133.0±7.5和138.8±5.4）（P〈0.05）。以上结果表明,IL-18-EGF对人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的迁移和侵袭能力有明显的抑制作用,能提高机体的免疫能力,有可能作为辅助药物运用于肝癌的治疗。     

Hsa_circ_0000745对肝癌细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移的作用及其机制

该文主要研究环状RNA hsacirc0000745对肝癌细胞的促肿瘤作用及其相关作用机制。首先,采用实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR,qRT-PCR)方法检测不同肝癌细胞中环状RNA hsacirc0000745的表达;其次,利用siRNA干扰技术敲低HepG2细胞中的hsacirc0000745;然后,采用CCK-8和平板克隆实验检测细胞的增殖能力,用Transwell实验和划痕愈合实验检测肝癌细胞HepG2的侵袭及迁移能力,利用Western blot方法检测增殖、侵袭及迁移相关蛋白的表达。结果表明,干扰hsacirc0000745后,肝癌细胞的增殖及克隆形成能力降低(P<0.05),同时伴有增殖相关蛋白cyclin D1表达水平下降(P<0.001),细胞迁移和侵袭能力降低(P<0.05),上皮标志物E-Cadherin的表达水平上调(P<0.05),而间质标志物N-Cadherin和Vimentin的表达水平下调(P<0.05)。该研究结果表明,干扰hsacirc0000745显著抑制肝癌细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭能力和上皮–间质转化(epithelial mesenchymal transition,EMT)。这为肝癌的诊断和治疗提供了新的潜在靶点和视角。     

棕榈酸促进肝癌细胞侵袭转移的分子机制

目的:探讨棕榈酸(Palmiticacid,PA)对人肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721侵袭转移能力的影响,并通过检测肝癌细胞系中CD147-MMPs信号通路在PA影响下的变化,初探PA影响肝癌细胞侵袭转移的分子机制。方法:PA(0、20、50、100μM)作用SMMC-7721细胞后(8、16、24h),MTT法检测细胞增殖,划痕及Transwell实验评价细胞迁移侵袭能力,Western-blot及real-time PCR检测CD147蛋白及其mRNA的水平,ELISA检测基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-2,MMP-9)的水平。结果:与对照组相比,PA作用SMMC-7721细胞后,细胞存活率无显著差异(P0.05);细胞迁移和侵袭能力显著增高(P0.05);CD147蛋白及其mRNA的表达显著增高(P0.05);培养上清中MMP-9的浓度显著增高(P0.05),MMP-2的水平则无变化。不同的梯度组之间相比较,细胞迁移和侵袭能力、CD147的表达水平(蛋白及其mRNA)以及培养上清中MMP-9的浓度均随PA作用时间和作用剂量的增大而产生更显著的增高。结论:PA通过活化CD147-MMPs信号通路促进SMMC-7721细胞的迁移侵袭。     

CRY2分子对肝癌细胞生长和转移的影响

目的:探讨节律分子CRY2(cryptochrome circadian clock 2)在肝细胞肝癌(HCC)中的表达和对肝癌细胞生长、转移的影响。方法:利用免疫组织化学染色法,分析65例HCC组织中CRY2分子的表达;利用233例HCC公共数据验证CRY2分子在HCC组织中的表达变化;实时定量PCR和Western blot检测肝癌细胞中CRY2的表达。MTS法和Transwell法,分别检测CRY2对肝癌细胞生长和转移的影响。结果:对照组CRY2阳性率为87.7%(57/65),而在肝癌组织中49.2%(32/65)CRY2阳性,CRY2在HCC组织中的表达显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=10.61,P0.0001)。233例HCC公共数据(GSE14520)中,癌组织CRY2表达显著下调,差异具有统计学意义(6.663 vs 6.160,P0.0001)。4株肝癌细胞株中CRY2表达与正常肝细胞株相比,CRY2表达同样显著下调。在肝癌SMMC-7721和Hep 3B细胞中,与对照组比,过表达CRY2组细胞生长能力显著降低,差异有统计学意义(SMMC-7721:0.899 vs 0.473,P0.0001;Hep 3B:0.785 vs 0.435,P0.0001)。在肝癌SMMC-7721和Hep 3B细胞中,过表达CRY2组细胞侵袭能力显著降低(SMMC-7721:侵袭细胞数216.33 vs 62.33,P=0.001;Hep 3B:侵袭细胞数169.67 vs 52.33,P=0.015);结论:CRY2分子在HCC中表达下调,同时高表达CRY2会抑制肝癌细胞生长和转移。     

shRNA沉默HuR抑制肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力

人抗原R (human antigen R,HuR)基因在肺癌、乳腺癌等多种肿瘤组织中高表达。推测HuR基因也参与肝癌的发展过程。为探索HuR对肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖、迁移和侵袭的作用,本研究通过蛋白质印迹实验,检测HuR在肝细胞癌细胞系和正常肝细胞中蛋白质的表达水平。结果显示,肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721 HuR的表达量显著高于正常肝细胞HL-7702。合成特异性靶向HuR基因的shRNA,转染肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721,检测结果发现,HuR基因表达量下调90%。沉默HuR,实时细胞分析技术(real time cell analysis,RTCA)结果显示,细胞增殖能力降低55%,侵袭能力下降75%;细胞划痕实验结果显示,迁移能力下降80%;克隆形成实验中细胞克隆数减少85%;此外,在HuR敲低稳转肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721细胞中过表达Bcl-2,其细胞学现象部分获得逆转。激光共聚焦扫描系统检测结果显示,Bcl-2主要定位于肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的核膜及胞质。蛋白质印迹法检测结果显示,沉默HuR,Bcl-2下调92%,Survivin下调55%,Twinst1下调69%,N-钙黏着蛋白(N-cadherin)下调48%,E-钙黏着蛋白(E-cadherin)上调1.5倍。以上结果表明,HuR可能通过调控定位于核膜及胞质上的Bcl-2来参与肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖、迁移、侵袭及克隆形成过程,HuR基因有望成为临床上治疗肝癌的一个新的潜在靶点。     

MiR-33a抑制肝癌细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移北大核心CSCD

miR-33a参与许多肿瘤发展的调控。然而,其对肝癌的作用还未完全清楚。本研究探讨了miR-33a在肝癌细胞中的表达及其功能。实时荧光定量PCR显示,与永生化的正常肝细胞系LO2相比,miR-33a在SMMC-7721、Bel-7405、Hep3B细胞中表达量较高,在SK-Hep-1、HepG2、Huh7细胞中表达量较低。其中,在SMMC-7721中表达量最高,在Huh7中表达量最低。分别用miR-33a模拟物和抑制物转染表达量最高和最低的细胞系SMMC-7721和Huh7,实时荧光定量PCR显示,模拟物转染细胞后,36 h转染效率最高;cy3染色法显示,抑制物转染细胞后,各时间点被标记的细胞均大于60%;CCK-8法和Transwell法显示,miR-33a抑制SMMC-7721和Huh7细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭;Western印迹显示,miR-33a抑制SMMC-7721、Huh7细胞claudin-1表达,促进E-钙粘蛋白表达;balb/c裸鼠成瘤实验表明,皮下注射miR-33a拮抗剂能促进肿瘤生长。上述结果证明,miR-33a在不同的肝癌细胞系中表达水平高低不一,在SMMC-7721中最高,Huh7中最低;miR-33a可以抑制肝癌细胞增殖,并可能通过抑制claudin-1及促进E-钙粘蛋白表达,抑制上皮间质转化进程抑制肝癌细胞侵袭和迁移。     

MiR-33a抑制肝癌细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移

miR-33a参与许多肿瘤发展的调控。然而,其对肝癌的作用还未完全清楚。本研究探讨了miR-33a在肝癌细胞中的表达及其功能。实时荧光定量PCR显示,与永生化的正常肝细胞系LO2相比,miR-33a在SMMC-7721、Bel-7405、Hep3B细胞中表达量较高,在SK-Hep-1、HepG2、Huh7细胞中表达量较低。其中,在SMMC-7721中表达量最高,在Huh7中表达量最低。分别用miR-33a模拟物和抑制物转染表达量最高和最低的细胞系SMMC-7721和Huh7,实时荧光定量PCR显示,模拟物转染细胞后,36 h转染效率最高;cy3染色法显示,抑制物转染细胞后,各时间点被标记的细胞均大于60%;CCK-8法和Transwell法显示,miR-33a抑制SMMC-7721和Huh7细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭;Western印迹显示,miR-33a抑制SMMC-7721、Huh7细胞claudin-1表达,促进E-钙粘蛋白表达;balb/c裸鼠成瘤实验表明,皮下注射miR-33a拮抗剂能促进肿瘤生长。上述结果证明,miR-33a在不同的肝癌细胞系中表达水平高低不一,在SMMC-7721中最高,Huh7中最低;miR-33a可以抑制肝癌细胞增殖,并可能通过抑制claudin-1及促进E-钙粘蛋白表达,抑制上皮间质转化进程抑制肝癌细胞侵袭和迁移。     

OPN对卵巢癌Hey细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响

目的:探讨骨桥蛋白(Osteopontin,OPN)对卵巢癌Hey细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响及其可能涉及的分子机制。方法:选择卵巢癌细胞株Hey、HO8910、A2780和正常卵巢上皮细胞IOSE80,采用Western blot检测OPN蛋白的表达情况。对OPN表达量相对较高的Hey细胞株的OPN基因敲减或过表达,运用CCK-8、平板克隆实验、细胞划痕、Transwell侵袭实验等方法研究OPN对细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭能力的影响,采用Western blot检测Wnt/β-catenin通路相关蛋白β-catenin、CyclinD1、c-myc的表达情况。结果:OPN在卵巢癌细胞株Hey、HO8910、A2780内均有表达,且表达量均高于正常卵巢上皮细胞IOSE80。si RNA-OPN转染卵巢癌Hey细胞沉默OPN表达,CCK-8和平板克隆实验显示沉默OPN能够降低Hey细胞的增殖能力,划痕实验和Transwell侵袭实验显示下调OPN可降低Hey细胞的迁移和侵袭能力,Wnt/β-catenin通路相关蛋白β-catenin、CyclinD1、c-myc表达下降。ex-OPN转染Hey细胞使OPN表达升高,与对照组相比,OPN过表达能够增强Hey细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力,并且Wnt/β-catenin通路相关蛋白β-catenin、CyclinD1、c-myc表达升高。结论:OPN能够促进卵巢癌细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力,该作用可能通过促进Wnt/β-catenin信号通路实现。     

In vitro and in vivo anti-metastatic effect of the alkaliod matrine from Sophora flavecens on hepatocellular carcinoma and its mechanisms

BackgroundsHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancer with high metastasis and recurrence rates. Hypoxia-induced miRNAs and HIF-1α are demonstrated to play essential roles in tumor metastasis. Matrine (C₁₅H₂₄N₂O), an alkaloid extracted from Sophora flavescens Aiton, has been used as adjuvant therapy for liver cancer in China. The anti-metastasis effects of matrine on HCC and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.PurposeWe aimed to investigate the effects of matrine on metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo, and explored whether miR-199a-5p and HIF-1α are involved in the action of matrine.MethodsMTT method, colony formation, wound healing and matrigel transwell assays were performed to evaluate the effects of matrine on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Nude mice xenograft model and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay were employed to investigate the anti-metastatic action of matrine in vivo. Quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and dual luciferase reporter assay were conducted to determine the underlying mechanisms of matrine.ResultsMatrine exerted stronger anti-proliferative action on Bel7402 and SMMC-7721 cells under hypoxia than that in normoxia. Both matrine and miR-199a-5p exhibited significant inhibitory effects on migration, invasion and EMT in Bel7402 and SMMC-7721 cells under hypoxia. Further study showed that miR-199a-5p was downregulated in HCC cell lines, and this microRNA was identified to directly target HIF-1α, resulting in decreased HIF-1α expression. Matrine induced miR-199a-5p expression, decreased HIF-1α expression and inhibited metastasis of Bel7402 and SMMC-7721 cells, while miR-199a-5p knockdown reversed the inhibitory effects of matrine on cell migration, invasion, EMT and HIF-1α expression. In vivo, matrine showed significant anti-metastatic activity in the nude mouse xenograft model. H&E and IHC analysis indicated that lung and liver metastasis nodules were reduced, and the protein expression of HIF-1α and Vimentin were significantly decreased by i.p injection of matrine.ConclusionsMatrine exhibits significant anti-metastatic effect on HCC, which is attributed to enhanced miR-199a-5p expression and subsequently impaired HIF-1α signaling and EMT. These findings suggest that miR-199a-5p is a potential therapeutic target of HCC, and matrine may represent a promising anti-metastatic medication for HCC therapy.     

Microfilament regulatory protein MENA increases activity of RhoA and promotes metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Mammalian enabled (MENA), usually known as a direct regulator of microfilament polymerization and bundling, promotes metastasis in various cancers. Here we focus on the role of MENA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis and the relevant mechanism from the view of RhoA activity regulation. By HCC tissue microarray analysis, we found that MENA expression was positively associated with satellite lesions (P<0.01) and vascular invasion (P<0.01). Cases with membrane reinforcement of MENA staining in HCC tissues had significantly higher rates of early recurrence in the intermediate MENA expression group. Knockdown of MENA significantly suppressed HCC cell migration and invasion in vitro, as well as their intrahepatic and distant metastasis in vivo. Knockdown of MENA also decreased filopodia and stress fibers in SMMC-7721 cells. Furthermore, a decrease of RhoA activity was detected by a pull-down assay in SMMC-7721-shMENA cells. The ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632, suppressed migration of both MENA knockdown SMMC-7721 cells and control cells, but diminished their difference. Thus, our findings suggest that MENA promotes HCC cell motility by activating RhoA.     

Osteopontin promotes hepatocellular carcinoma invasion by up-regulating MMP-2 and uPA expression

Osteopontin (OPN) is over-expressed in a variety of cancers, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression has not been clarified. In this study, weakly tumorigenic, non-metastastic human HCC cell line SMMC-7721 cells were forced to over-express OPN via stable transfection. A series of functional assays were performed to assess the effects of OPN on tumor cell behaviors and cDNA microarray was used to identify the genes regulated by OPN. The results showed that OPN significantly enhanced the migration and invasion of SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. In addition, CD44v6 antibody could significantly inhibit the invasion of OPN over-expressing SMMC-7721 cells. Moreover, MMP-2 and uPA expressions were significantly up-regulated in OPN over-expressing SMMC-7721 cells. Together, these findings indicate that OPN enhanced HCC cells invasion through interaction with its receptor CD44v6 and increased MMP-2 and uPA expressions, providing at least one mechanism for OPN-mediated HCC progression and metastasis.     

Compound Kushen Injection intervenes metabolic reprogramming and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC via regulating β-catenin/c-Myc signaling

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most extensive and most deadly cancers worldwide. The invasion and metastasis characteristics of HCC dramatically affect the prognosis and survival of HCC patients. Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) is a GMP produced, proverbially applied traditional Chinese medicine formula in China to treat cancer-associated pains, and used as an adjunctive therapy for HCC. Until so far, whether CKI could suppress the metastasis of HCC through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition or metabolic reprogramming is still ambiguous.PurposeIn this study, the anti-metastasis effects of CKI were clarified and its pharmacological mechanisms were systematically explored.MethodsCell invasion and cell adhesion assay were performed in SMMC-7721 cells to assess the anti-metastasis role of CKI, and the histopathological evaluation and biochemical detection were utilized in DEN-induced HCC rats to verify the anti-HCC effect of CKI. Serum and liver samples were analyzed with ¹H NMR metabolomics approach to screen the differential metabolites and further target quantification the content of key metabolites. Finally, western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were applied to verify the crucial signaling pathway involved in metabolites.ResultsCKI markedly repressed the invasion and adhesion in SMMC-7721 cells and significantly improved the liver function of DEN-induced HCC rats. CKI significantly regulated the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (Vimentin and E-cadherin). Metabolomics results showed that CKI regulated the metabolic reprogramming of HCC by inhibiting the key metabolites (citrate and lactate) and enzymes (HK and PK) in glycolysis process. Importantly, we found that c-Myc mediates the inhibitory effect of CKI on glycolysis. We further demonstrated that CKI inhibits c-Myc expression through modulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway in SMMC-7721 cells and DEN-induced HCC rats. Furthermore, through activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway with LiCl, the inhibitory effects of CKI on HCC were diminished.ConclusionTogether, this study reveals that CKI intervenes metabolic reprogramming and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC via regulating β-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway. Our research provides a new understanding of the mechanism of CKI against invasion and metastasis of HCC from the perspective of metabolic reprogramming.     

MXR7 facilitates liver cancer metastasis via epithelial-mesenchymal transition

MXR7 is a cell-surface protein and highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The aim of this study is to determine the expression profile of MXR7 in HCC and investigate the influence of MXR7 on invasion and metastasis of HCC cells. For this purpose, immunohistochemical assay was used to identify the differential expression of MXR7 in 94 HCC specimens. Expression of MXR7 in 4 pairs of HCC and portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT) was also tested. The motility of HCC cells were characterized by transwell migration and matrigel invasion assays. In vivo metastasis potential was determined via tail vein injection assay.Moreover, compared with noninvasive HCC tumors or human HCC cell lines with low metastatic potential, invasive HCC samples and HCC cell lines with high metastatic potential exhibited higher MXR7 expression. Furthermore, forced expression of MXR7 in SMMC-7721 promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and accelerated tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Conversely, knockdown of MXR7 expression in HuH7 cells inhibited proliferation and motility of cells. Mechanically,overexpression of MXR7 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) progress, and MXR7 depletion repressed the EMT phenotype. In conclusion, MXR7 is a mediator of EMT and metastasis in HCC and may serve as a novel therapeutic target.     

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。     

Synergistic effect of EMS1-shRNA and sorafenib on proliferation,migration, invasion and endocytosis of SMMC-7721

To investigate the synergistic effect of EMS1-PSilencer4.1-shRNA (EMS1-shRNA) and sorafenib on biological behaviors of HCC cell line SMMC-7721. EMS1-shRNA was constructed and transfected into SMMC-7721 cells. Decreased levels of EMS1/cortactin were tested in RT-QPCR and Western blot assay. Proliferation, migration, invasion, and endocytosis of SMMC-7721 were tested through CCK8 assay, scratch test, transwell invasion assay and transferrin endocytosis assay, respectively. Raf-1 was detected by Western blot assay. HCC xenograft model was prepared to observe tumor growth. Animals were euthanized and their subcutaneous lesions were weighed. Then the tissues were fixed and paraffin sections were prepared. Cortactin and PCNA (a proliferation marker) were then detected by immunohistochemistry. As compared with untreated group, the levels of EMS1 gene and cortactin protein in EMS1-shRNA-transfected group were significantly reduced; Among EMS1-shRNA-transfected group, sorafenib-treated group and combined group, the levels of proliferation at 48 h were reduced to 83.69, 57.18, 41.94 %; the levels of migration were reduced to 49.69, 60.83, and 21. 67 %; the levels of invasion were reduced to 42.97, 53.65, 18.18 %; the levels of endocytosis were reduced to 37.15, 97.95 % (p > 0.05), 20.68 % (p < 0.05, respectively). Western blot assay showed levels of Raf-1 were reduced to 68.56, 59.09, 21.90 %. The tumor volume and weight of nude mice HCC xenograft tumors were reduced significantly either (p < 0.05, respectively). Immunohistochemistry showed levels of cortactin and PCNA were reduced to 35.69, 93.84, 23.68 and 87.69, 43.84, 33.68 % in each group, respectively. The biological behaviors of SMMC-7721 were inhibited in the presence of EMS1-shRNA and sorafenib both alone and in combination. The combination of the agents improved the curative effect over either single agent, showing synergetic effect.     

TCTP在肝癌细胞增殖过程中的作用及机制研究

目的:研究翻译控制肿瘤蛋白(TCTP)在肝癌细胞增殖过程中的作用及相关机制。方法:通过western blot技术检测14对肝癌与癌旁组织中TCTP的蛋白表达水平。通过siRNA(small interference RNA)技术在肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721和BEL-7404中下调TCTP的表达,然后通过CCK-8实验、克隆形成实验和EdU实验观察下调TCTP对肝癌细胞增殖的影响。通过western blot技术分析TCTP促进肝癌发生这一过程中可能涉及的分子通路。结果:相比于对应的癌旁组织,TCTP在肝癌组织中显著高表达。用siRNA技术下调TCTP水平后能够明显抑制肝癌细胞的增殖能力。下调TCTP的表达之后,AKT和ERK蛋白的磷酸化水平也随之降低。结论:TCTP在肝癌组织中显著高表达,并且在肝癌细胞的增殖过程中发挥着极其重要作用,其作用机制可能与AKT和ERK通路的磷酸化激活有关。