[Shikonin down-regulates CXCR4 expression and inhibits CXCL12-induced migratory responses in colorectal carcinoma cell line SW480].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of shikonin on the proliferation, expression of CXCR4 and the migratory responses to CXCL12 in colorectal carcinoma cell line SW480.


METHODS
The proliferation of SW480 cells was assessed by MTT assay. Cell surface expression of CXCR4 was determined by flow cytometry. The migratory ability was determined by Transwell.


RESULTS
Shikonin inhibited the proliferation of SW480 cells in time- and concentration-dependent manner. The expression rate of CXCR4 in SW480 cells was 99.1%. After application of shikonin 0.01 micromol/L, 0.1 micromol/L and 1.0 micromol/L for 24 h, the expression rate of CXCR4 decreased to 76.0%, 59.1% and 35.5% respectively (F=1098.041, P <0.001), and the CXCL12-induced SW480 cell migratory inhibition rate was 25.2%, 38.5% and 55.7% respectively (F=48.970, P <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Besides having inhibiting tumor cell proliferation effect, Shikonin may also play a role in anti-metastasis via down-regulating the expression of CXCR4 and reducing the CXCL12-induced migratory response in colorectal carcinoma cell.
Wen
Zhuo-fu
ZF
Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China. wenzfu@163.com
Wei
Xiu-qing
XQ
Guo
Yun-wei
YW
Zheng
Feng-ping
FP
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000378:metabolism*
C515255:CXCL12 protein, human; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; C016101:shikonin