Effects of overexpression of activated leukocyte adhesion molecule on biological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo / 肿瘤

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of overexpression of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) gene on the biological characteristics including proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. Methods: The recombinant adenovirus Ad-ALCAM carrying ALCAM gene and the empty vector Ad-null (as the control group) were infected into human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, then the expression level of ALCAM protein in HepG2 cells was detected by Western blotting. The proliferation viability and apoptotic rate were detected by CCK-8 and FCM, respectively. The invasion and migration abilities of HepG2 cells were detected by Transwell chamber assay. The mouse xenograft model of HepG2 cells was established, and the recombinant adenovirus Ad-ALCAM-siRNA and Ad-ALCAM were locally injected into tumor tissues, respectively. Then the effects of ALCAM gene silencing and overexpression on the growth of tumor in mice were observed, and the expression of ALCAM protein and the microvessel density (MVD) (CD34 as the antigen marker) were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the two control groups, the expression level of ALCAM protein in HepG2 cells infected with Ad-ALCAM was significantly increased (both P < 0.01), the cell viability was increased (P < 0.05), but the apoptotic rate as well as the abilities of migration and invasion were decreased (all P < 0.05). In the mouse xenograft model injected with Ad-ALCAM, the growth of tumor was fasten, while the expression of ALCAM protein and MVD in tumor tissues were increased (all P < 0.05). In the mouse xenograft model injected with Ad-ALCAM-siRNA, the growth of tumor was declined, while the expression of ALCAM protein and MVD in tumor tissues were decreased (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: ALCAM can regulate the proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and may be a potential marker for the diagnosis of liver cancer and the evaluation of prognosis, as well as a potential biological target for the treatment of liver cancer.