title: [Mig-7 enhances vasculogenic mimicry in gastric cancer cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in gastric cancer cells in vitro,  and explore the possible underlying mechanisms by transfecting SGC7901 cells with Mig-7-siRNA and observing the impact on VM formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The capability of VM formation in differently differentiated gastric cancer cells were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in a three-dimensional culture system. The expression of Mig-7 was detected. The impact of transfection with Mig-7-siRNA into SGC7901 cells on the abilities of VM formation,  invasion and migration were also examined. The expressions of Mig-7,  phosphor-extracellular regulated protein kinases 1, 2 (p-ERK1/2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in SGC7901 cells were analyzed by Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VM formation was observed in poorly differentiated MKN45 and moderately differentiated SGC7901 cells,  but not in well differentiated MKN28 and normal GES-1 cells in vitro;   Mig-7 was expressed in MKN45 and SGC7901 cells,  but not in MKN28 and GES-1 cells;   the abilities of VM formation,  invasion and migration were changed by transfection with Mig-7-siRNA into SGC7901 cells. The formation of VM was reduced by down-regulating the expressions of p-ERK1/2 and MMP-2 protein in SGC7901 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mig-7 is expressed in gastric cancer cells which are able to form VM. The formation of VM is inhibited by reducing the expression of Mig-7 in gastric cancer cells,  which might be mediated by down-regulating the expressions of p-ERK1/2 and MMP-2 proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. liwenliliwency@126.com
authors.forename: Wen-li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000502:physiology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C482285:TOX4 protein, human; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2