Effects of hypoxia-indudble factor 1α on the growth of subcutaneously implanted hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effects of HIF-1α expression on the growth of subcutaneously implanted human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines in nude mice. Methods A nude mouse model of subcutaneously implanted HCC cell line HepG2Tet-on-HIF-1α was established. This cell lines characterizes the inducible expression of HIF-1α by doxycycline (Dos). The impact of HIF-1α expression induced by Dox on the growth of subcutaneously implanted HCC cell lines in the nude mouse model was observed. Results The mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α were significantly up-regulated in the nude mouse model by oral administration of Dox. Compared with that model in which Dox was not administrated ie Dos( - ) group, the tumor volume(513.545 ± 276. 229) mm3 vs. ( 166. 506 ± 110. 142) mm3 ( P < 0. 05 ), tumor weight ( 1.251 ± 0. 438 ) g vs. (0. 640 ± 0. 296) g ( P < 0. 05 ), and tumor growth velocity were significantly enhanced in Dox ( + ) group, while tumor necrosis was inhibited ( 31. 360% ±2. 728% vs. 36. 640% ± 3. 804% ) (P<0. 05). The weight loss of nude mice was larger in Dox( + )group( P < 0. 01 ). There was no liver or lung metastasis in either group. Conclusion The expression of HIF-1αin subcutaneously implanted HCC in a nude mouse model is up-regulated by oral Dox. High grade expression of HIF-1α promotes the growth of implanted HCC.