| AIM: To explore whether vasculogenic mimicry (VM) exists in colon carcinoma and the possible mechanism.METHODS: Three-dimensional culture system of human colon carcinoma cell line SW480 was constructed to observe VM under inverted microscope, and the ultrastructure of VM was observed under trans-electron microscope. The proliferation inhibitory rates of SW480 cells induced by the specific inhibitor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl -4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002) of the signaling pathway phosphatidy1inosito1-3 kinase (PI-3K) were detected by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. After SW480 cells were treated with 10μmo1/L LY294002 for 72 h, the density of VM was observed under light microscope. Moreover, the expressions of osteopontin (OPN), matrix metalloproteinase2 (MMP2) genes were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After SW480 cells were treated with 10μmo1/L LY294002 for 24-72 h, the expressions of protein kinase B (PKB), phospho-protein kinase B (p-PKB) proteins were analyzed by Western Blot.RESULTS: During Three-dimensional culture, SW480 cells can form VM. The result of trans-electron microscope validated the presence of VM. After LY294002 treatment,the growth of SW480 cells was inhibited significantly in a time and dose dependent manner, and the inhibition rates were 13.01%-67.55% ( P< 0.01) .When treated for 72 h ,The density of VM was decreased from [( 12.50±3.27 ) to ( 2.60±1.07) ,P< 0.01] , the expressions of opn, mmp2 genes were lower in 10μmo1/L LY294002 groups than in control groups [ (0.31±0.01) vs (0.75±0 .03) , (0.20±0 .04 ) vs (0.55±0 .05 ), P<0.0 1 ]. The expression of p-PKB protein was down-regulated ( P<0.01), but it had no change on PKB.CONCLUSION: LY294002 can inhibit the formation of VM in colon carcinoma by reducing opn and mmp2 expression, which might be related to the inhibition of PI3K/PKB signaling pathway. |
