目的探讨雌激素对MHCC97H肝癌细胞侵袭转移的作用及其相应机制。方法利用划痕试验检测雌激素对MHCC97H肝癌细胞迁移能力的影响。Transwell小室法检测雌激素对MHCC97H肝癌细胞侵袭能力的影响。利用Western blotting法检测雌激素对MHCC97H肝癌细胞中MMP-2和MMP-9表达水平的影响。检测雌激素对MHCC97H肝癌细胞中AKT和p-AKT蛋白表达水平的影响。结果雌激素能够有效抑制MHCC97H肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭能力,随着浓度的升高抑制能力逐渐增强,0.1μmol/L和1μmol/L浓度组MHCC97H肝癌细胞穿过基质胶到达小室底端的细胞数目分别为对照组的(68.99±15.74)%和(34.28±8.17)%(P〈0.05)。雌激素能够有效抑制MHCC97H肝癌细胞中MMP-2和MMP-9的表达,当浓度为1μmol/L时,差异具有统计学意义(P〈0.05)。雌激素能够有效抑制MHCC97H肝癌细胞AKT的磷酸化水平,当浓度为1μmol/L时,磷酸化水平为对照组的(90±2)%(P〈0.05)。结论雌激素能够有效抑制MHCC97H肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭,这种作用可能部分与调节AKT信号通路的活性进一步调节MMP-2和MMP-9的表达有关。然而,需要进一步的深入研究以证实这种作用关系。
Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of estrogen against metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97 H cells and explore the molecular mechanism. Methods The inhibitory effect of estrogen on the migration and invasion of MHCC97 H cells was evaluated with wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Western blotting was used for investigating the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, AKT and p-AKT in the cells treated with estrogen. Results Estrogen treatment significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of MHCC97 H cells in a dose-dependent manner. Estrogen significantly down-regulated the protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and lowered the phosphorylation level of AKT. Conclusion The anti-metastatic effect of estrogen involves inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in MHCC97 H cells probably by regulating AKT signal pathway.