RUNX3 inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and reduces the angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis of human gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies indicated that RUNX3 exhibits potent antitumor activity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this activity remain unclear. In the present study, we used a gastric cancer model to determine the effect of RUNX3 expression on tumor angiogenesis.


METHODS
The effects of increased RUNX3 expression on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in and angiogenic potential of human gastric cancer cells were determined in vitro and in animal models. RUNX3 and VEGF expression was determined in 120 human gastric cancer specimens and their relationship was analyzed.


RESULTS
RUNX3 gene transfer suppressed VEGF expression in human gastric cancer cells. Down-regulation of VEGF expression correlated with a significantly impaired angiogenic potential of human gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, RUNX3 restoration inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in animal models, which was consistent with inhibition of angiogenesis as determined by evaluating VEGF expression and tumor microvessel formation. In gastric cancer specimens, loss or decrease in RUNX3 expression inversely associated with increased VEGF expression and elevated microvessel formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our clinical and experimental data provide a novel molecular mechanism for the antitumor activity of RUNX3 and may help design effective therapy targeting RUNX3 pathway to control gastric cancer growth and metastasis.
Peng
Zhihai
Z
Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated First People's Hospital, China.
Wei
Daoyan
D
Wang
Liwei
L
Tang
Huamei
H
Zhang
Jun
J
Le
Xiangdong
X
Jia
Zhiliang
Z
Li
Qiang
Q
Xie
Keping
K
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; D017931:DNA Primers; C493729:Runx3 protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A