Effect of hypoxic treatment on gastric cancer cells and its mechanism

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxia on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells and its possible mechanism. Methods SGC7901 cells were cultured in normoxic (normoxia) and hypoxic (hypoxia) groups respectively. Methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT), clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, cell scratch assay, Transwell assay, quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting The ability of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells to proliferate, to apoptosis, to migrate and to attack was tested experimentally. Results The Absorbance [0.77 compared to 0.98, t=-3.480, P<0.01], number of cells [188±13 compared to 237±20, t=-16.250, P<0.01], number of migrated cells [131±17 compared to 252±18, t=-19.880, P<0.01] and number of invasion cells [35±9 compared to 57±11, t=-2.490, P<0.05] between normoxia group and hypoxia was statistically significant. It indicated that the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of SGC7901 cells in hypoxia group were enhanced; The apoptosis rate between normoxia group and hypoxia was statistically significant [0.93±0.02 compared to 0.22±0.03, t=2.360, P<0.05]. It indicated that the apoptosis rate was slowed down in hypoxic group. The relative expression level of HIF-1α gene [1.02±0.31 compared to 1.68±0.43, t=-1.990, P<0.05] and the histone gray scale [21.73±3.53 compared to 56.92±2.43, t=-2.450, P<0.05] between normoxia group and hypoxia group was statistically significant. It indicated that the HIF-1α was increased expression of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells in hypoxia group; The histone gray scale of p-Akt between normoxia group and hypoxia was statistically significant [138.7±12.0 compared to 266.0±43.0, t=-25.570, P<0.01]. It indicated that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was activated. Conclusion Hypoxia may regulate the expression of HIF-1α by activating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells. Key words: Hypoxia; Gastric cancer cell; Apoptosis; Invasion