Effect of amiloride on the invasion capacity of esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cell line and its possible mechanisms

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of amiloride on the invasion capacity of esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cell line in vitro and to elucidate its possible mechanism.Methods The invasion capacities of EC9706 cells pretreated with amiloride were measured by transwell chamber assay. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) transcription were determined by RT-PCR.The protein expression of uPA were assessed by Western blot.Results After the EC9706 cells were pretreated with amiloride at different concentrations,the number of invaded cells was obviously less than those of control group with obvious dosage dependent pattern (96±7,78±6,57±6,33±4,15±3,F =43.46,P ＜ 0.01).The transcription levels of uPA mRNA and the protein expression levels of uPA in EC9706 cells decreased significantly compared with the control (mRNA:0.623±0.065,0.526±0.054,0.389±0.041,0.312±0.038,0.247±0.025,F =6.71,P ＜0.01; protein:0.732±0.064,0.644±0.057,0.533±0.058,0.391±0.036,0.267±0.043,F =6.71,P ＜0.01).Conclusion Amiloride inhibits the invasion capacity of esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells.The mechanism might be associated with down-regulation of the expression of uPA. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Invasion; Urinary plasminogen activator; Tumor cells; cultured; Amiloride