[Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in K562 cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in K562 cells and assess the effect of DHA on leukemic angiogenesis induced by K562 cells.


METHODS
Firstly, analyzed the anti-proliferation effect of DHA on K562 cells and assessed the inhibitory effect on expression of VEGF in K562 cells. Further, the conditioned medium (CM) of K562 cells pretreated with DHA was assessed for its stimulating effect on proliferation of endothelial cells and angiogenesis on chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model.


RESULTS
DHA effectively inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells in vitro, and the IC50 was 13.08 micromol x L(-1). The VEGF level of K562 cells was significantly lowered after treated with DHA for 48 h, even at a lower concentration (2 micromol x L(-1), P < 0.05). The stimulating effect on proliferation of endothelial cells and angiogenesis on CAM model were weakened in response to the CM from K562 cells pretreated with DHA in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
DHA could effectively downregulate the VEGF expression in K562 cells, and inhibit the leukemic angiogenesis induced by K562 cells.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China.
Jun
J
Li
Hui-jun
HJ
Zhou
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002645:Chickens; D049033:Chorioallantoic Membrane / Q000098:blood supply; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D037621:Artemisinins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C039060:artenimol