title: The effects of vascular endothelial growth factor C knockdown in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the role of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by knocking down VEGF-C expression in the ESCC cell line EC9706.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques were used to detect the expression of VEGF-C expression in ESCC tissues. We also investigated the relationship between VEGF-C expression and lymph node metastasis. We designed a siRNA expression plasmid for VEGF-C and transfected it into EC9706 cells. Stable clones were selected, and VEGF-C expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting. Cells were inoculated into nude mice. The expression of VEGF-C in the resulting tumors was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF-C is highly expressed in ESCC and correlated with lymph node metastasis, as high levels were observed in patients presenting with lymph node metastases relative to those who did not (P < 0.01). Transfection with VEGF-C-siRNA decreased the expression of VEGF-C mRNA and protein. ESCC cells stably transfected with VEGF-C-siRNA expressed very low levels of VEGF-C (P < 0.01 compared with control). This knockdown effect persisted when the cells were inoculated into nude mice and allowed to form tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The siRNA-targeted knockdown of VEGF-C led to a significant reduction in VEGF-C expression. This siRNA technique could be used for gene therapy in ESCC.
authors: Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
authors: Hongxin
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Yuhui
authors: Y
authors: Yin
authors: Lan
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Xiangyu
authors: X
authors: Zheng
authors: Dongling
authors: D
authors: Gao
authors: Kuisheng
authors: K
authors: Chen
authors: Yunhan
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008875:Middle Aged; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C