Effects of propofol on invasion and migration of glioma cells in rats and the role of ADAR2-AMPA receptor GluR2 pathway

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of propofol on the invasion and migration of glioma cells in the rats and the role of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit glutamate 2 (GluR2) pathway. Methods C6 glioma cells were subcultured and randomly divided into 4 groups (n=24 each) using a random number table: control group (group C); propofol group (group P); negative siRNA transfection + propofol group (group NP); ADAR2-siRNA transfection + propofol group (group AP). The cells were cultured in the common culture medium in group C. In NP and AP groups, negative siRNA and ADAR2-siRNA were transfected into the cells, respectively, and 48 h later the other procedures were similar to those previously described in group P. Propofol with the final concentration of 1.2 μg/ml was added, the cells were cultured for 6 h and then were cultured in the common culture medium for another 18 h in group P. The cells were selected to detect the cell viability by MTT colorimetric assay.The invasion of cells was determined by Transwell invasion assay, and the invaded cells were counted.The migration of cells was determined by cell scratch test, and cell migration rates were calculated.The expression of ADAR2 in the nucleus of cells and GluR2 in the cytomembrane was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the cell viability, the number of invaded cells and cell migration rates were significantly decreased, and the expression of ADAR2 in the nucleus of cells and GluR2 in the cytomembrane was significantly up-regulated in P and NP groups (P<0.05). Compared with group P, the cell viability, the number of invaded cells and cell migration rates were significantly increased, and the expression of ADAR2 in the nucleus of cells and GluR2 in the cytomembrane was significantly down-regulated in group AP (P<0.05). Compared with group NP, the cell viability, the number of invaded cells and cell migration rates were significantly increased, and the expression of ADAR2 in the nucleus of cells and GluR2 in the cytomembrane was significantly down-regulated in group AP (P<0.05). Conclusion Propofol can inhibit the invasion and migration of glioma cells in the rats, and the mechanism is associated with activation of ADAR2-AMPA receptor GluR2 pathway. Key words: Propofol; Glioma; Cell line, tumor; Neoplasm invasiveness; Neoplasm metastasis