目的探讨胰腺癌细胞在缺氧微环境中通过发生上皮向间叶转化(EMT)从而获得侵袭性表型的可能机制。方法在缺氧微环境下培养胰腺癌细胞Panc-1、Transwell侵袭小室对比检测细胞在缺氧微环境下侵袭能力的变化情况。Western blot、免疫荧光检测缺氧对Panc-1细胞上皮细胞标记分子E—cadherin、间叶细胞标记分子vimentin表达的影响;实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测缺氧对EMT诱导因子Snail表达的影响。将编码HIF—1α cDNA的真核表达载体pCD—NA3.1-HIF—1α瞬时转染Panc-1细胞,Westernblot检测HIF-1α对E-cadherin、vimentin表达的影响。结果常氧组细胞每高倍镜视野穿透数为(84±3)个,缺氧组为(121±5)个,差异有统计学意义(P〈0.01)。Panc.1细胞在常氧、缺氧12h、缺氧24h、缺氧48h条件下E—cadherin蛋白的相对值分别为(0.59±0.04、54.00±0.05、0.45±0.10、0.36±0.03);vimentin蛋白的相对值分别为:(0.36±0.05、0.414-0.04、0.484-0.06、0.584-0.05),缺氧同常氧组比较差异有统计学意义(P〈0.05)。缺氧微环境下Panc-1细胞SnailmRNA的表达量升高,在缺氧第3天后差异具有统计学意义(P〈0.05)。Panc-1细胞转染HIF-1α前后,E—cadherin蛋白的相对值分别为0.63±0.05、0.474-0.07;Vvi-mentin蛋白的相对值分别为0.474-0.07、0.324-0.04,转染前后差异有统计学意义(P〈0.05)。结论缺氧微环境可能通过活化HIF-1d、Snail等转录因子,促进胰腺癌细胞发生上皮向间叶转化,产生侵袭性表型。
Objective To investigate whether hypoxic environment can promote the metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells by inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods The Panc-1 cells were cultured in hypoxia environment. After cultured for indicated periods, the in vitro invasive ability of Panc-1 cells was compared with normoxia group using Transwell invasion assay. The epithelial marker E- cadherin and the mesenchymal marker vimentin were assayed by Western blot. The expression of Snail, a strong activator of EMT, was detected by real-time PCR. The HIF-1 ct encoding cDNA was transiently transfected into the Panc-1 cells, and the E-cadherin and vimentin were analyzed. Results The number of cells invading to the lower side of the membrane under hypoxia was (121 ± 5 ), whereas only (84 ± 3 ) in nomorxia group (P 〈 0.05 ). The relative expression of E-cadherin in normoxia, hyoxia groups at 12,24,48 h was (0.59 ± 0.04 vs 54.00 ± 0.05,0.45 ± 0.10,0.36 ± 0.03 ), and that of vimentin was (0.36 ± 0.05, 0.41 ± 0.04,0.48 ± 0.06,0.58 ± 0.05 ) ( P 〈 0.05 ). The relative expression of Snail mRNA was increased in hypoxia environment, and the difference was significant after 72 h ( P 〈 0.05 ). Before and after HIF-1α cDNA was transfected into the Panc-1 cells,the relative expression of E-cadherin was 0.63 ± 0.05, and 0.47 ± 0.07, and that of vimentin was 0. 47 ±0. 07, and 0. 32 ±0. 04 respectively ( P 〈 0.05 ). Conclusion Hypoxia microenvironment can activate HIF-1α and Snail to trigger EMT of pancreatic cancer cells.