Downregulation of Heparanase Expression Results in Suppression of Invasion, Migration, and Adhesion Abilities of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

OBJECTIVE

Heparanase (HPSE) is high-expressed in most malignant tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and promotes cancer cell invasion and migration. The aim of the study is to explore whether HPSE enhances adhesion in metastasis of HCC cells.

METHODS

HPSE expressions in human HCC cells were measured with real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Four recombinant miRNA vectors pcDNATM6.2-GW/EmGFP-miR-HPSE (pmiR-HPSE) were transfected into HCCLM3 cell. HPSE expression in transfected cell was measured. The cell invasion, migration, and adhesion abilities were detected, respectively.

RESULTS

Both HPSE mRNA and protein relative expression levels were higher in HepG2, BEL-7402, and HCCLM3 cells than those in normal hepatocyte (P < 0.05). HPSE showed highest expression level in HCCLM3 cell (P < 0.05). Transfection efficiencies of four miRNA vectors were 75%-85%. The recombinant vectors significantly decreased HPSE expression in transfected HCCLM3 cells (P < 0.01), and pmiR-HPSE-1 showed best interference effect (P < 0.05). pmiR-HPSE-1 significantly decreased the penetrated and migrating cells numbers and adherence rate of HCCLM3 cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HPSE is a potentiator of cell adhesion in metastasis of HCC.

Expressions of heparanase and upstream stimulatory factor in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The expression of heparanase (HPSE) was associated with postoperative metastatic recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The six E-box binding sites in the core promoter of the HPSE gene suggested that transcription factors of E-box such as upstream stimulatory factor (USF) might regulate the transcription of the HPSE gene. The aim of our study is to measure the levels of HPSE and USF expression and investigate the relationship between USF expression and clinicopathological parameters in patients with HCC.

METHODS

HPSE, USF1 and USF2 expressions in human HCC cell lines (BEL-7402, HepG2 and HCCLM3) and 15 fresh human HCC tissue samples were measured by real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR and Western blot analysis. The normal liver cell line QSG7701 or fresh normal liver tissue samples obtained from 15 additional surgical patients with hepatic rupture was used as a control. The protein expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded human HCC tissues and corresponding non-neoplastic tumor surrounding tissues (NTST) of 57 patients.

RESULTS

HPSE, USF1 and USF2 mRNA expressions were increased in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues compared with normal liver cell line and normal liver tissue. The protein expressions of HPSE, USF1 and USF2 in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues were also increased. Both USF1 and USF2 expressions were positively correlated with HPSE. USF1 and USF2 expressions were increased in patients with liver cirrhosis, worse tissue differentiation, advanced HCC stages and metastatic recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased USF in HCC is associated with HPSE expression. USF might be an important factor in regulating HPSE expression and act as a novel marker of metastatic recurrence of HCC patients.