title: Induction of apoptosis by IGFBP3 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system comprises a group of proteins that play key roles in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in a variety of cellular systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) in hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of IGF2, IGFBP3, and PTEN was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Lentivirus vectors were used to overexpress IGFBP3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) lines. The effect of IGFBP3 on proliferation was investigated by MTT and colony formation assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of IGF2, IGFBP3, and PTEN in several HCC cell lines was lower than in normal cell lines. After 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine/trichostatin A treatment, significant demethylation of the promoter region of IGFBP3 was observed in HCC cells. Overexpression of IGFBP3 induced apoptosis and reduced colony formation in HUH7 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of IGF2, IGFBP3, and PTEN in several HCC cell lines was lower than in normal cell lines. After 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine/ trichostatin A treatment, significant demethylation of the promoter region of IGFBP3 was observed in HCC cells. Overexpression of IGFBP3 induced apoptosis and reduced colony formation in HUH7 cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Intervention Treatment Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, China E-mail : shengli122@sogou.com.
authors.forename: Jian-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: De-Wen
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Qiu-Rong
authors.initials: QR
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Bao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000235:genetics*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay
chemical_list: C035170:IGF2 protein, human; C515497:IGFBP3 protein, human; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human