RÉSUMÉ
Objective To explore the effects of targeted silencing of the chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7)gene on the invasion and migration of the melanoma cell line M14. Methods Western-blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expression of CXCR7 in melanoma cell lines M14 and A375, and CXCR7-overexpressing M14 cells were used in this study. Cultured M14 cells were divided into three groups: experimental group transfected with a small interfering RNA(siRNA)targeting CXCR7(CXCR7-siRNA), negative control group transfected with a negative control siRNA, blank control group receiving no treatment. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blot analysis were conducted to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of CXCR7 respectively in M14 cells, Transwell chambers were used to evaluate the invasive activity of M14 cells, and wound healing assay to estimate the migratory activity of M14 cells. Results The experimental group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expressions of CXCR7 compared with the negative control group and blank control group (CXCR7 mRNA: 0.412 ± 0.023 vs. 1.211 ± 0.117 and 1.000 ± 0.102, F = 30.068, P = 0.001; CXCR7 protein: 0.144 ± 0.005 vs. 1 and 1.016 ± 0.004, F =11 485.5, P = 0.000). The number of M14 cells crossing the polycarbonate membrane per high-power field (× 200)was significantly smaller in the experimental group than in the negative control group and blank control group (20.617 ± 1.503 vs. 42.000 ± 6.018 and 43.627 ± 2.152, F = 32.416, P = 0.001). Similarly, the number of migrating M14 cells in wound healing assay was significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the negative control group and blank control group (15.00 ± 1.10 vs. 44.90 ± 2.20 and 45.30 ± 2.30, F = 2 411.945, P = 0.000). Conclusion Targeted silencing of the CXCR7 gene can significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of M14 cells in vitro, which may provide a potential target for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma.