溶瘤腺病毒靶向杀灭葡萄膜黑色素瘤的实验研究

葡萄膜黑色素瘤是成人最严重的原发性恶性肿瘤之一.传统的治疗方法,包括手术、放射治疗和化学治疗效果都不是很理想.溶瘤腺病毒H101,能够特异性地在p53突变的肿瘤细胞中复制并杀伤肿瘤细胞,同时对正常细胞影响较少,且已由中国国家食品药品监督管理总局批准上市.为了研究H101对葡萄膜黑色素瘤的治疗效果,通过体外感染葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞,发现H101能够显著抑制葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞的增殖并促进细胞凋亡,抑制细胞周期,而对正常的ARPE-19细胞没有影响.在体内实验中,建立了SP6.5细胞的荷瘤小鼠模型,在H101治疗后抑制了肿瘤的生长,延长了动物寿命.上述结果表明,溶瘤腺病毒H101治疗葡萄膜黑色素瘤是一种可行的方法.     

MITF在葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞中的功能研究

该研究首先通过qRT-PCR和Western blot发现,MITF在人葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞中的RNA水平及蛋白水平都显著高于葡萄膜黑色素细胞中的水平。通过RNA干扰技术下调葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞中的MITF的表达,采用MTS实验、细胞平板克隆实验发现,MITF下调后葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞的增殖能力被显著抑制。利用流式细胞术及Hoechst染色、Caspase 3/7活性检测发现其细胞周期受到阻滞,且凋亡水平增加。通过RTCA xCELLigence DP检测系统定量检测发现,si-MITF能抑制葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞的迁移及侵袭能力。Western blot检测发现,MITF下调后葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞中细胞周期相关蛋白p-Rb(retinoblastoma)、CDK2(cyclin-dependent kinase 2)、CDK6、细胞周期蛋白D2(Cyclin D2)以及CyclinE2的表达水平下调,与增殖及迁移侵袭密切相关的FAK(focal adhesion kinase)及ERK(extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases)蛋白的磷酸化水平降低。该研究表明,在葡萄膜黑色素瘤细胞中下调MITF的表达后,细胞内部分周期相关蛋白、细胞增殖及迁移侵袭相关蛋白的表达均有下调,导致细胞发生G_1期阻滞,使细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力受到抑制,同时也促使细胞发生凋亡。     

靶向干扰Chkl增强阿霉素抗人乳腺癌MCF-7/adr细胞的作用机制研究

Chkl的高表达可能是肿瘤对化疗药物的敏感性降低的重要因素之一,本研究的目的是观察siRNA干扰Chk1对人乳腺癌耐药细胞株MCF-7/adr(耐阿霉素)生长及细胞周期的影响,探讨Chk1在乳腺癌细胞耐药中的作用机制。采用RNAi技术抑制MCF-7/adr细胞中Chk1的表达。Westernblot检测转染前后细胞内Chk1蛋白表达情况,经阿霉素作用后,流式细胞术(FCM)检测其细胞周期分布及细胞凋亡率,MTT法检测细胞增殖。Western blot结果显示,Chk1 siRNA转染24h后,MCF-7/adr细胞中Chk1蛋白表达下降了67%,明显低于对照组和空载体转染组(P<0.05)。FCM法检测结果显示,同时,抑制Chk1的表达可解除阿霉素引起的G_2/M期阻滞;使阿霉素诱导的细胞凋亡率由转染前的(5.54±0.15)%上升到(22.24±0.13)%(P<0.05);在阿霉素浓度为0.4mg/L、4mg/L时,细胞的增殖活性分别下降13%、34%。提示siRNA干扰Chk1能够通过调控MCF-7/adr细胞周期及增殖从而增强乳腺癌细胞对阿霉素的敏感性,为临床上克服乳腺癌化疗耐药提供了新的作用靶点。     

miR-34c逆转乳腺癌耐药细胞株MCF-7/DOX耐药性的研究

miR-34在肿瘤发生发展中起着至关重要的作用,然而,mi R-34在肿瘤耐药中的作用研究不多。该研究将合成的mi R-34c成熟序列转染乳腺癌阿霉素(doxorubicin,DOX)耐药细胞MCF-7/DOX,探讨mi R-34c体外逆转MCF-7/DOX细胞耐药性作用及其可能的机制。采用Real-time RT-PCR检测mi R-34c在乳腺癌耐药细胞株MCF-7/DOX中的表达,MTS法检测miR-34c对MCF-7/DOX细胞阿霉素耐药性的影响,流式细胞术检测miR-34c对MCF-7/DOX细胞周期和凋亡的影响,Real-time RT-PCR和Western blot法检测多药耐药相关蛋白MDR、MRP以及细胞周期与凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、E2F3的表达。结果显示,mi R-34c在乳腺癌MCF-7/DOX耐药细胞中低表达,转染mi R-34c可明显增加耐药细胞对阿霉素的敏感性;流式分析发现,miR-34c可以促进耐药细胞G2期细胞周期阻滞和凋亡;与对照组相比较,miR-34c转染组细胞MDR、MRP蛋白表达无明显变化,而Bcl-2、E2F3 mRNA和蛋白表达均明显下调。研究表明,miR-34c直接靶向抑制Bcl-2和E2F3的表达,诱导细胞周期G2期阻滞和凋亡,进而增强MCF-7/DOX耐药细胞对阿霉素的敏感性。     

抑制VEGF基因表达对乳腺癌细胞细胞周期的影响

目的：研究针对VEGF基因的siRNA（small interferenceRNA）对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞细胞周期的影响。方法：依据Promega公司在网上提供的设计软件,设计针对VEGF基因的siRNA,合成DNA模板,体外转录合成siRNA。脂质体转染法将合成的siRNA转染入MCF-7细胞,以未转染细胞以及错义序列siRNAscr转染细胞为对照。用细胞计数法检测siRNA对MCF-7细胞增殖的影响：流式细胞法检测细胞周期变化,RT—PCR法比较转染前后p21、CyclinDl表达水平的变化,Westemblot检测转染前后磷酸化ERK的表达。结果：细胞计数法结果显示,转染24h后siRNA明显抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,转染48h后,抑制效率稳定。siRNA转染后能有效地抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖,阻滞细胞周期于G0／G1期,S期细胞明显减少,G0／G1期细胞比例逐渐增多;p21mRNA表达显著上调,抑制CyclinD1mRNA及磷酸化ERK蛋白的表达。结论：体外转录合成的siRNA可能通过上调细胞周期蚤白激酶抑制剂p21的表达,下调CyclinDl及磷酸化ERK的表达,将细胞周期阻滞于G0／G1期,从而显著抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖。     

Survivin反义寡核苷酸诱导SW620细胞凋亡过程中对caspase-3表达的影响

目的：观察survivin反义寡核苷酸（ASODN）对人结肠癌细胞株SW620增殖、凋亡的影响,并初步探讨其分子机制。方法：靶向survivin基因中与caspase-3结合的部位设计、合成反义寡核苷酸并通过脂质体将其转染至人结肠癌细胞SW620中。噻唑蓝（MTT）法观察survivinASODN对SW620细胞增殖的抑制作用,测定IC50;转染36h后,Hoechst33342染色荧光显微镜下观察检测SW620细胞核变化,RT-PCR检测survivinASODN处理后SW620细胞中caspase-3mRNA表达,分光光度法检测caspase-3酶活性．结果：转染8h后,SW620细胞中可见黄绿色荧光均匀分布：不同浓度survivinASODN处理SW620细胞44h后,SW620细胞增殖显著受到抑制,IC50为1×10^-6M。2×10^-7,4×10^-7,6×10^-7,8×10^-7 and1.2×10^-6M的survivinASODN处理后,细胞生长抑制率分别为15．38±0．022％、2404±0．023％、30．87±0．027％、45．02±0．018％和65．01±0．024％：Hoechest33342染色后荧光显微镜下可观察到染色质凝集并出现凋亡小体,RT-PCR检测到caspase-3mRNA表达上调,另外caspase-3酶活性显著升高。结论靶向survivin基因中与caspase-3结合的部位设计合成的survivinASODN可抑制显著结肠癌SW620增殖、诱导细胞凋亡,其机制与诱导caspase-3表达,提高caspase-3酶活性有关。     

siRNA抑制c-myc基因的表达对宫颈癌细胞增殖的影响

目的:利用siRNA(small interference RNA)技术研究c-myc基因的对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖的影响.方法:依据Promega公司在网上提供的设计软件,设计针对c-myc基因的siRNA,合成DNA模板,体外转录合成siRNA.通过阳离子聚合物jet-SITM-ENDO将合成的siRNA转染入HeLa细胞,以未转染细胞以及错义序列siRNA-scr转染细胞为对照.用细胞计数法检测siRNA对HeLa细胞增殖的影响.流式细胞法检测细胞周期及蛋白表达的变化,RT-PCR法比较转染前后c-myc mRNA表达水平的变化.结果:细胞计数法结果显示,转染24h后c-myc基因siRNA明显抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,转染48h后,抑制效率稳定.c-myc基因siRNA转染后能有效地抑制HeLa细胞的增殖,阻滞细胞周期于G0/G1期,siRNA转染组c-myc mRNA、蛋白的表达量明显低于空白对照组、错义序列组.结论:体外转录合成的siRNA可有效降低HeLa细胞c-myc基因的表达,抑制细胞增殖.     

siRNA抑制c—myc基因的表达对宫颈癌细胞增殖的影响

目的：利用siRNA（small interference RNA）技术研究C-myc基因的对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖的影响。方法：依据Promega公司在网上提供的设计软件,设计针对C-myc基因的siRNA,合成DNA模板,体外转录合成siRNA。通过阳离子聚合物jet—SITM—ENDO将合成的siRNA转染入HeLa细胞,以未转染细胞以及错义序列siRNA—scr转染细胞为对照。用细胞计数法检测siRNA对HeLa细胞增殖的影响。流式细胞法检测细胞周期及蛋白表达的变化,RT—PCR法比较转染前后C-myc mRNA表达水平的变化。结果：细胞计数法结果显示,转染24h后c-myc基因siRNA明显抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,转染48h后,抑制效率稳定。c-myc基因siRNA转染后能有效地抑制HeLa细胞的增殖,阻滞细胞周期于G0／G1期,siRNA转染组c-myc mRNA、蛋白的表达量明显低于空白对照组、错义序列组。结论：体外转录合成的siRNA可有效降低HeLa细胞c-myc基因的表达,抑制细胞增殖。     

Caspase-3反义寡核苷酸对γ-射线诱导的HL-60细胞中caspase-3表达与细胞凋亡的抑制作用

γ-射线可诱导人髓性白血病细胞株HL-60细胞凋亡,但其机制尚未完全明了。为了观察caspase-3在这种细胞凋亡模型中的作用,本研究设计合成针对caspase-3mRNA5′-非编码区和编码起始区的反义寡核苷酸(ASODNs),即ASODN-1和ASODN-2,以脂质体介导法将不同浓度ASODN-1和ASODN-2转染进入HL-60细胞,γ-射线照射。应用TUNEL法观察凋亡细胞形态学变化及检测凋亡细胞百分率,免疫细胞化学、Westernblotting和RT-PCR技术分别检测caspase-3及其mRNA在引入ASODNs前后的表达水平,并以错配寡核苷酸(MODN)转染及未转染细胞作为对照组。TUNEL法检测发现,当ASODN-1和ASODN-2转染终浓度≥3μmol/L时,γ-射线诱导的HL-60细胞凋亡率降低,与对照组相比均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。免疫细胞化学结果显示,与两对照组相比,转染ASODNs后各组caspase-3阳性细胞率显著下降,阳性细胞染色减弱,其平均灰度值显著增高(P<0.01)。Westernblotting检测显示,转染ASODNs组细胞caspase-3蛋白酶原表达降低,其中ASODN-1组显著低于ASODN-2组。RT-PCR结果显示两对照组细胞caspase-3mRNA均有明显表达,转染ASODNs后caspase-3mRNA表达丰度降低。另外,ASODN-1抑制细胞凋亡和caspase-3表达的作用显著强于ASODN-2(分别为P<0.05和P<0.01)。实验结果表明,caspase-3mRNAASODNs能够抑制γ-射线照射诱导的HL-60细胞凋亡,下调caspase-3蛋白和caspase-3mRNA的表达水平,其抑制作用在一定范围内呈剂量依赖性。     

Napsin A基因对A549细胞在上皮-间质转化中增殖的影响及其机制

采用慢病毒载体质粒PLJM1将NapsinA基因转染到人肺腺癌细胞——A549细胞中,获得稳定表达Napsin A蛋白的特性并鉴定,通过转化生长因子-β1刺激A549细胞发生上皮-间质转化,体外构建上皮-间质转化模型并鉴定。MTT法检测转基因前后A549细胞在上皮-间质转化过程中生长速率的变化;流式细胞术检测其细胞周期的改变,最后予Western blot检测黏着斑激酶的表达情况,探讨Napsin A基因对A549细胞在上皮-间质转化过程中增殖的影响及其机制。结果表明转染后的A549细胞表达Napsin A蛋白明显增加(P<0.01);A549细胞发生上皮-间质转化后细胞E钙蛋白表达下调(P<0.01),Ⅰ型胶原表达上调(P<0.01);转基因细胞在体外上皮-间质转化模型中增殖速度减慢(P<0.05),且细胞周期被阻滞在G_1期(P<0.01),其表达整合素信号传导通路的基础分子——黏着斑激酶的量显著下降(P<0.01)。提示Napsin A基因可以抑制A549细胞在上皮-间质转化过程中的进一步增殖,其机制可能与抑制整合素信号传导通路有关。     

Role of MicroRNA-182 in Posterior Uveal Melanoma: Regulation of Tumor Development through MITF, BCL2 and Cyclin D2

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that play central roles in diverse pathological processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of microRNA-182 (miR-182) on the development of posterior uveal melanomas. Initially, we demonstrated that miR-182 expression was dependent on p53 induction in uveal melanoma cells. Interestingly, transient transfection of miR-182 into cultured uveal melanoma cells led to a significant decrease in cell growth, migration, and invasiveness. Cells transfected with miR-182 demonstrated cell cycle G1 arrest and increased apoptotic activity. Using bioinformatics, we identified three potential targets of miR-182, namely MITF, BCL2 and cyclin D2. miR-182 was shown to have activity on mRNA expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region of MITF, BCL2 and cyclin D2. Subsequent Western blot analysis confirmed the downregulation of MITF, BCL2 and cyclin D2 protein expression. The expression of oncogene c-Met and its downstream Akt and ERK1/2 pathways was also downregulated by miR-182. Concordant with the findings that miR-182 was decreased in uveal melanoma tissue samples, overexpression of miR-182 also suppressed the in vivo growth of uveal melanoma cells. Our results demonstrated that miR-182, a p53 dependent miRNA, suppressed the expression of MITF, BCL2, cyclin D2 and functioned as a potent tumor suppressor in uveal melanoma cells.     

Uveal Melanoma Cells Utilize a Novel Route for Transendothelial Migration

Uveal melanoma arises in the eye, and it spreads to distant organs in almost half of patients, leading to a fatal outcome. To metastasize, uveal melanoma cells must transmigrate into and out of the microvasculature, crossing the monolayer of endothelial cells that separates the vessel lumen from surrounding tissues. We investigated how human uveal melanoma cells cross the endothelial cell monolayer, using a cultured cell system with primary human endothelial cell monolayers on hydrogel substrates. We found that uveal melanoma cells transmigrate by a novel and unexpected mechanism. Uveal melanoma cells intercalate into the endothelial cell monolayer and flatten out, assuming a shape and geometry similar to those of endothelial cells in the monolayer. After an extended period of time in the intercalated state, the uveal melanoma cells round up and migrate underneath the monolayer. VCAM is present on endothelial cells, and anti-VCAM antibodies slowed the process of intercalation. Depletion of BAP1, a known suppressor of metastasis in patients, increased the amount of transmigration of uveal melanoma cells in transwell assays; but BAP1 depletion did not affect the rate of intercalation, based on movies of living cells. Our results reveal a novel route of transendothelial migration for uveal melanoma cells, and they provide insight into the mechanism by which loss of BAP1 promotes metastasis.     

MiR-144 Inhibits Uveal Melanoma Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Regulating c-Met Expression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group endogenous small non-coding RNAs that inhibit protein translation through binding to specific target mRNAs. Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are implicated in the development of cancer. However, the role of miR-144 in uveal melanoma metastasis remains largely unknown. MiR-144 was downregulated in both uveal melanoma cells and tissues. Transfection of miR-144 mimic into uveal melanoma cells led to a decrease in cell growth and invasion. After identification of two putative miR-144 binding sites within the 3'' UTR of the human c-Met mRNA, miR-144 was proved to inhibit the luciferase activity inMUM-2B cells with a luciferase reporter construct containing the binding sites. In addition, the expression of c-Met protein was inhibited by miR-144. Furthermore, c-Met-mediated cell proliferation and invasion were inhibited by restoration of miR-144 in uveal melanoma cells. In conclusion, miR-144 acts as a tumor suppressor in uveal melanoma, through inhibiting cell proliferation and migration. miR-144 might serve as a potential therapeutic target in uveal melanoma patients.     

Therapeutic efficacy by targeting correction of notch1-induced aberrants in uveal tumors

There is a need for more effective treatments for uveal melanoma. The recombinant oncolytic adenovirus H101 replicates specifically in p53-depleted tumor cells, and has been approved for use by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration. However, this treatment is associated with subsequent remission. Transfection of uveal melanoma cells with a small interfering RNA against Notch1 (siNotch1) effectively suppressed Notch1 expression, resulting in significant cell growth inhibition when combined with H101 treatment. Combined treatment with siNotch1 and H101 (H101-Notch1-siRNA) greatly enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro as compared to treatment with H101 or siNotch1 alone. For in vivo treatments, the combined treatment of siNotch1 and H101 showed remarkable tumor growth inhibition and prolonged mouse survival in the OCM1 xenograft model. We predict that Notch pathway deregulation could be a feature of uveal melanoma, and could be a therapeutic target, especially if p53 is concurrently targeted.     

Human uveal melanoma cells produce macrophage migration-inhibitory factor to prevent lysis by NK cells

Human uveal melanoma arises in an immune privileged ocular environment in which both adaptive and innate immune effector mechanisms are suppressed. Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular tumor in adults and is derived from tissues in the eye that produce macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF), a cytokine that has recently been demonstrated to produce immediate inhibition of NK cell-mediated lytic activity. Although NK cell-mediated lysis of uveal melanomas is inhibited in the eye, melanoma cells that disseminate from the eye are at risk for surveillance by NK cells. Moreover, uveal melanoma cells demonstrate a propensity to metastasize to the liver, an organ with one of the highest levels of NK activity in the body. Therefore, we speculated that uveal melanomas produced MIF as a means of escaping NK cell-mediated lysis. Accordingly, seven primary uveal melanoma cell lines and two cell lines derived from uveal melanoma metastases were examined for their production of MIF. MIF was detected in melanoma culture supernatants by both ELISA and the classical bioassay of macrophage migration inhibition. Melanoma-derived MIF inhibited NK cell-mediated lysis of YAC-1 and uveal melanoma cells. Cell lines derived from uveal melanoma metastases produced approximately twice as much biologically active MIF as cultures from primary uveal melanomas. Inhibition of NK cell-mediated killing by uveal melanoma-derived MIF was specifically inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by anti-MIF Ab. The results suggest that human uveal melanoma cells maintain a microenvironment of immune privilege by secreting active MIF that protects against NK cell-mediated killing.     

CXC chemokine receptor 4 is expressed in uveal malignant melanoma and correlates with the epithelioid-mixed cell type

PURPOSE: Although relatively rare, uveal melanoma is the most common ocular tumor of adults. Up to half of uveal melanoma patients die of metastatic disease. CXCR4, a chemokine receptor, is a prognostic factor in cutaneous melanoma involved in angiogenesis and metastasis formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CXCR4 in uveal melanoma. METHODS: CXCR4 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 44 samples of uveal melanoma. Staining was categorized into three semiquantitative classes based on the rate of stained (positive) tumor cells: absence of staining, <50% of cell (+) and >50% (++). Correlations between CXCR4 expression, data on patient and tumor features were studied by contingency tables and the chi2 test. Time-to-event curves were studied using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was performed using the log-rank test. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (95% CI) of hazard ratios were also reported. RESULTS: Staining for CXCR4 protein was absent in 18 tumors (40.9%), present in <50% of cells in 19 (43.2%) and in >50% of cells in 7 (15.9%) tumors. CXCR4 expression correlated to the epithelioid-mixed cell type (P=0.030). No statistically significant relation emerged between CXCR4 expression, largest tumor diameter (LTD) and extracellular matrix patterns as evaluated through histological patterns stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Events occurred in 2 out of 18 patients (11.1%) with negative tumors (2 deaths), in 3 out of 19 patients (15.8%) with <50% of positive tumor cells (2 deaths and 1 occurrence of metastases) and in 1 out of 7 patients (14.3%) with >50% of positive tumor cells (1 occurrence of metastases). The cell type (P=0.0457) but not CXCR4 showed prognostic value at univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study shows that CXCR4 is commonly expressed in uveal melanoma and correlates with cell type a well-established prognostic factor.     

The miRNA expression profile of the uveal melanoma

The miRNA expression profile was initially established to investigate its corresponding function in human uveal melanoma. The miRNA expression profile in human uveal melanoma was analyzed by a micro chip technique. The hsa-miRNA expression between four uveal melanomas and four normal uveal tissues was compared. Based on the bioinformatic approach, chip data was analyzed to select out differentially expressed candidate hsa-miRNAs. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to confirm the candidate hsa-miRNAs expression in all samples. The results of miRNA microarray chips that matched with RT-PCR were considered as the miRNA expression which was significantly different between normal tissue and uveal melanomas. In four uveal melanomas, expressions of miRNA-20a, miRNA-106a, miRNA-17, miRNA-21, and miRNA-34a were significantly up-regulated, while miRNA-145 and miRNA-204 expression were significantly down-regulated. We used miRNA microarray analysis as a fast, efficient technology to study biological information. The differentially expressed miRNAs may be involved in uveal melanoma pathogenesis, and may help promote the diagnosis and treatment for uveal melanoma.     

Mda-9/syntenin is expressed in uveal melanoma and correlates with metastatic progression

Uveal melanoma is an aggressive cancer that metastasizes to the liver in about half of the patients, with a high lethality rate. Identification of patients at high risk of metastases may provide indication for a frequent follow-up for early detection of metastases and treatment. The analysis of the gene expression profiles of primary human uveal melanomas showed high expression of SDCBP gene (encoding for syndecan-binding protein-1 or mda-9/syntenin), which appeared higher in patients with recurrence, whereas expression of syndecans was lower and unrelated to progression. Moreover, we found that high expression of SDCBP gene was related to metastatic progression in two additional independent datasets of uveal melanoma patients. More importantly, immunohistochemistry showed that high expression of mda-9/syntenin protein in primary tumors was significantly related to metastatic recurrence in our cohort of patients. Mda-9/syntenin expression was confirmed by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry in cultured uveal melanoma cells or primary tumors. Interestingly, mda-9/syntenin showed both cytoplasmic and nuclear localization in cell lines and in a fraction of patients, suggesting its possible involvement in nuclear functions. A pseudo-metastatic model of uveal melanoma to the liver was developed in NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ null mice and the study of mda-9/syntenin expression in primary and metastatic lesions revealed higher mda-9/syntenin in metastases. The inhibition of SDCBP expression by siRNA impaired the ability of uveal melanoma cells to migrate in a wound-healing assay. Moreover, silencing of SDCBP in mda-9/syntenin-high uveal melanoma cells inhibited the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-triggered invasion of matrigel membranes and inhibited the activation of FAK, AKT and Src. Conversely syntenin overexpression in mda-9/syntenin-low uveal melanoma cells mediated opposite effects. These results suggest that mda-9/syntenin is involved in uveal melanoma progression and that it warrants further investigation as a candidate molecular marker of metastases and a potential therapeutic target.