Analysis of cellular changes resulting from forced expression of Dickkopf-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies have shown that Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is overexpressed in some tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the role of increased DKK-1 in these tumors is not known. In this study, the DKK-1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines was evaluated and the effect of DKK-1 overexpression in HCC cell lines was studied.


METHODS
The expression of DKK-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines was evaluated by RT-PCR. Stable cell lines that overexpressed DKK-1 were established. Cell growth, adhesion, migration and invasion assays were performed.


RESULTS
RT-PCR analysis showed that 5 out of 8 HCC cell lines expressed DKK-1. The forced expression of DKK-1 suppressed the growth of cells and increased the population of cells in the sub-G1 phase. In addition, DKK-1 reduced the cellular adhesion capacity to collagen type I and fibronectin, and it increased migratory capacity. However, overexpression of DKK-1 did not increase the invasion capacity of the HCC cell line.


CONCLUSIONS
Collectively, our data suggest that overexpression of DKK-1 affects the biology of HCC cells.
Kwack
Mi Hee
MH
Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
Hwang
Sun Young
SY
Jang
In Seok
IS
Im
Sang Uk
SU
Kim
Jin Oh
JO
Kim
Moon Kyu
MK
Kim
Jung Chul
JC
Sung
Young Kwan
YK