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Objective:To examine the expression of IQGAP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its effect on vasculogenic mimicry(VM). Methods:Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate the expression of IQGAP1.CD31/PAS double staining was per-formed to detect VM and analyze the correlation of IQGAP1 and VM.HepG2 cells were transfected with an IQGAP1 overexpression plasmid to induce exogenous expression of IQGAP1,and an IQGAP1 knockdown plasmid was transfected into SMMC7721 cells to re-duce IQGAP1 levels.The expression of cancer stem cell markers CD133,CD44,Sox2,and ALDH1 was analyzed by Western blot and compared with that in the control.Cellular functional experiments were used to determine the role of IQGAP1 in promoting cancer cells' ability of invasiveness and migration, proliferation, and VM formation. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that IQGAP1 was mainly located in the cell membrane and/or cytoplasm,and the staining intensity was correlated with tumor grade,me-tastasis,and VM(P<0.05).Cells transfected with the overexpression plasmid showed enhanced CD133,CD44,Sox2,and ALDH1 levels due to the increase in IQGAP1 and exhibited increased invasion ability,proliferation,and VM formation.In the SMMC7721 cells trans-fected with the knockdown plasmid,CD133,CD44,Sox2,and ALDH1 levels were decreased and motility was inhibited.Conclusions:IQGAP1 supports malignant behavior in hepatocellular carcinoma and may promote VM by increasing stemness.
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Objective To explore whether hypoxia could promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various differentiated colorectal cancer cells, and analyse the effect of hypoxia on invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Methods HCT116 (poorly differentiated) and HT-29 (highly differentiated) colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were selected respectively. The morphological changes of two cell lines were observed after 0,10,25,50,100 and 150 mg/L cobalt chloride (CoCl2) treatment for 48 h. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) protein was analysed after 0, 10,25,50,100 and 150 mg/L CoCl2 treatment for 48 h. An optimal concentration of CoCl2 was then selected. Methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect the proliferation of two kinds of colorectal cancer cells induced by CoCl 2 at different time points (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h), and to select an optimal time. Under the optimal concentration and time conditions, the HCT116 and HT-29 cells were processed by hypoxia (hypoxia group) and normoxia (normoxic group). Transwell invasion assay and Wound healing assay were used to detect cell invasion and migration in two groups. Western blot assay and RT-PCR were used to detect protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, E-cadherin and Vimentin in two groups. Results Two kinds of cells showed obvious morphological changes after 50 mg/L CoCl2 treatment for 48 h. HIF-1αprotein level first increased and then decreased in two groups of cells with the increased concentration of CoCl 2, and 50 mg/L CoCl2 was the optimal concentration (P<0.05). The cell proliferation showed a tendency to decrease after the increase in both kinds of cells with or without hypoxia for 0-96 h (P<0.05), and 48 h was the optimal time. The transmembrane number and cell migration rate were significantly more in hypoxia group than those of normoxic group (P<0.05). The protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α and Vimentin were significantly higher in hypoxia group than those of normoxic group in HCT116 and HT-29 cell lines (P<0.05). E-cadherin protein and mRNA levels were significantly lower in hypoxia group than those of normoxic group (P<0.05). Conclusion Hypoxia can promote EMT in different differentiated colorectal cancer cells, and can enhance invasion and migration of two kinds of colorectal cancer cells.
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Objective To optimize and establish the methodology for culturing and inducing differentiation of mouse preadipocytes 3T3-L1. Methods The mouse cells 3T3-L1 were incubated in DMEM medium contained with 10%FBS, during which the incubation medium was refreshed every 2 to 3 days. Two methods were used to introduce differentiation, including three-drug combination group and four-drug combination group. The protocol of mediumⅠin three-drug combination group including insulin 10 mg/L, IBMX 0.5 mmol/L and DEX 1.0μmol/L. The protocol of mediumⅠin four-drug combination group including indometacin 0.1 mmol/L based on those of three-drug combination group. Both of them were incubated for 2 days and continuous for 2 times. And medium Ⅱ included insulin 10 mg/L for 2-day culturing and continuous for 2 times. Oil red O staining was used to observe the morphological changes of two groups of cells before and after treatment under inverted microscope. Results Mouse preadipocytes 3T3-L1 appeared in good conditions and grew in a paving stone fashion. These cells covered homogeneously the bottom of incubators, the culture medium refreshed every 2 days. The results of four-drug combination group were better than those of three-drug combination group. After three-drug combination induced differentiation, there was no significant change in cell morphology. Comparing with three-drug combination induced differentiation, four-drug combination was successfully achieved in over 90% of the cell inducing, which were round-shaped, with jacinth ester droplets by oil-red O staining. Conclusion We have optimized the method for culturing and inducing differentiation of mouse preadipocytes 3T3-L1 by adding indometacin on the basis of the three-drug combination induced differentiation.
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Objective:To discuss the influence of ALDH1+and CD133+phenotypic breast cancer stem-like cells in TA2 triple negative breast cancer on promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurrence in TA2 mice with triple-negative breast cancer and on their biological behavior. Methods:Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the markers ALDH1 and CD133 in TA2 mice triple nega-tive breast cancer and breast cancer stem-like cells with ALDH1+, ALDH1?, CD133+, and CD133?phenotypes, which were sorted out. Then, the TA2 mice were inoculated with sorted tumor cells according to cell type. The mice were divided into ALDH1+, ALDH1?, CD133+, and CD133-groups. The tumor-growing conditions were observed. A tumor tissue was sliced for the immunohistochemical testing of ALDH1?, CD133?, and EMT-related Twist1, E-cadherin, and VE-cadherin proteins. The expression difference of breast cancer stem cell surface markers ALDH1 and CD133 in triple-negative breast cancer and EMT-related proteins Twist1, E-cadherin, and VE-cad-herin was analyzed. Results:The expression rates of breast cancer stem cell markers ALDH1 and CD133 in TA2 mice triple negative breast cancer were 31.2%and 6.5%, respectively. The tumor growth ability of TA2 mice from ALDH1+group was obviously stronger than that from ALDH1?group. The CD133+group was evidently stronger than CD133?group. The immunohistochemical results showed that ALDH1, Twist1, and VE-cadherin expression levels in the ALDH1+group were evidently higher than that in the ALDH1?group (all P<0.05). E-cadherin expression decreased (P<0.05). CD133?, Twist1, and VE-cadherin expression levels in CD133+group were higher than that in CD133?group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:In TA2 mice triple negative breast cancer, ALDH1+and CD133+phenotypic breast cancer stem-like cells may influence the expression of EMT-related proteins, and promote the formation of triple-negative breast cancer.
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Objective:To investigate the correlations of Lauren classification and world health organization (WHO) classification of gastric cancer (GC) with microvascular density (MVD), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and p53. Methods:The clinical data of 89 patients with GC were collected. The collected specimens were categorized on the basis of Lauren classification and WHO classification. CD34/periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) double staining was performed to validate MVD. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to investigate the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and p53. Results:MVD was not correlated with Lauren classification or WHO classification (P>0.05). Lauren typing was associated with the expression levels of MMP-9, VEGFR1, and p53 (P0.05). Cox proportional hazards model revealed that Lauren classification and WHO classification were the prognostic factors of overall survival (P<0.05). Conclusion:This research on tumor related factors, angiogenesis, and different classifications of GC may provide new methods to treat this disease.