title: Insufficient radiofrequency ablation promotes human hepatoma SMMC7721 cell proliferation by stimulating vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression.
abstract: The aims of the current study were to investigate the influence of insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on the cell proliferation of the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, SMMC7721, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. SMMC7721 cells were subjected to a 47°C treatment regimen to simulate insufficient RFA, in the presence or absence of KN93 [a specific inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)], PD98059 [a specific inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)], or axitinib (a specific inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor]. Cell proliferation was determined using a thiazolyl terazolium assay (MTT). The levels of CaMKII, phospho-CaMKII, ERK, phospho-ERK and VEGF were observed by western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that the 47°C treatment regimen: i) Triggered upregulation of VEGF expression in the SMMC7721 cells, which was reduced by CaMKII or ERK inhibition; ii) induced ERK activation was prevented by KN93; and iii) promoted SMMC7721 cell proliferation, which was greatly inhibited by axitinib, KN93 and PD98059. In conclusion, the results indicated that insufficient RFA promotes SMMC7721 cell proliferation by activating CaMKII/ERK-dependent VEGF overexpression.
authors: Ultrasound Department, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China.
authors: Zhining
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: School of Nursing, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China.
authors: Hongliang
authors: H
authors: Dai
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China.
authors: Guizhi
authors: G
authors: Jia
authors: Ultrasound Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China.
authors: Yuhong
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China.
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: Ultrasound Department, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China.
authors: Weidong
authors: W
authors: Ren
keywords: Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II; SMMC7721; extracellular signal-regulated kinase; radiofrequency