ABSTRACT
Purpose To investigate the expression of signal transduction and activator 3 (Stat3) ,and phosphorylated Stat3 (p-Stat3) in human gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803 and BGC-823,and to explore the role of p-Stat3 in the invasion and migration of gastric cancer. Methods The expressed Stat3 and p-Stat3 in gastric cancer MGC-803 and BGC-823 cells were investigated by flow cytometry,and the migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells were observed using scratch test and in vitro Transwell test. Results Flow cytometry showed that the expression of Stat3 in MGC-803 and BGC-823 cells was basically unchanged before and after IL-6 stimulation (10 ng/mL) ,and the activated p-Stat3,however,was significantly higher after IL-6 stimulation. The activated p-Stat3 in BGC-823 cells was higher than that of MGC-803 cells (P < 0. 001) . The results of scratch tests showed that the scar healing area of BGC-823 cells was significantly larger than that of MGC-803 cells after 48 h (P = 0. 031) . Transwell cell experiments showed that the number of penetrating cells from BGC-823 cell line were significantly greater than those from MGC-803 cell line (P < 0. 001) . Conclusion Over activated p-Stat3 enhances the invasion and migration of MGC-803 and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells.