Downregulation of VEGF inhibits cell proliferation in human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common cancers worldwide, is a highly vascularized tumor that requires formation of numerous blood vessels to receive sufficient blood for developing. Consequently, angiogenesis-the process through which new blood vessels are formed-plays a very important role in tumor progression. The purpose of this study is to suppress the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key stimulating factor in angiogenesis, using specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA), and investigate its effect on HCC cell proliferation in vitro. The Hep3B cells were cultured and transfected with siRNA targeting VEGF (VEGF-siRNA) using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX kit. Then, VEGF mRNA and protein levels, as well as cell proliferation were analyzed. The results showed that the VEGF mRNA and protein levels of Hep3B cells were significantly decreased after treatment with VEGF-siRNA, leading to the reduction of cell proliferation rate. Hence, downregulation of VEGF using specific siRNA yields promising results for inhibition of cell proliferation in human HCC cells. Keywords: Cancer Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Small interfering RNA (siRNA)