Des-gamma-carboxy Prothrombin Stimulates Angiogenic Factors in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Shandong University have found that des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) stimulates the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and increases the expression of angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The study's lead author, F.J. Gao, and colleagues investigated the effects of DCP on HCC cell growth and angiogenesis using in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Key Takeaways:

  • DCP stimulates HCC cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with a significant increase in cell growth observed after 72 hours of incubation with 80 ng/ml of DCP.
  • The levels of angiogenic factors in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells were increased from 47 pg/10^6 cells/24 h to 400 pg/10^6 cells/24 h for VEGF, 126 pg/10^6 cells/24 h to 208 pg/10^6 cells/24 h for TGF-alpha, and 60 pg/10^6 cells/24 h to 298 pg/10^6 cells/24 h for bFGF after 72 hours incubation with DCP.
  • Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining of HCC xenografts showed significant increases in VEGF, TGF-alpha, and bFGF in HCC cells.
  • These results suggest that DCP is a type of growth factor in the progression of HCC.
  • The study's findings have implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies for HCC, a common type of liver cancer.

Statistics:

  • 47 pg/10^6 cells/24 h: initial level of VEGF in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells
  • 400 pg/10^6 cells/24 h: increased level of VEGF in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells after 72 hours incubation with 80 ng/ml of DCP
  • 126 pg/10^6 cells/24 h: initial level of TGF-alpha in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells
  • 208 pg/10^6 cells/24 h: increased level of TGF-alpha in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells after 72 hours incubation with 80 ng/ml of DCP
  • 60 pg/10^6 cells/24 h: initial level of bFGF in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells
  • 298 pg/10^6 cells/24 h: increased level of bFGF in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells after 72 hours incubation with 80 ng/ml of DCP

Sources:

  • Gao, F.J., et al. (2008). Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin increases the expression of angiogenic factors in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Life Sciences, 83(23-24), 815-820.
  • Angiogenesis. (n.d.). Retrieved from