Expression and clinical significance of hepaCAM and VEGF in urothelial carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Investigate the expression of hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule (hepaCAM) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in 55 cases of urothelial carcinoma to examine the potential relationship between hepaCAM and VEGF in urothelial carcinoma.

METHODS: Expression of hepaCAM and VEGF gene was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 55 paired urothelial carcinoma specimens. T24 cells stably expressing hepaCAM gene were established by Lipofectamine 2000. RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to detect gene and protein expression of hepaCAM and VEGF before and after transfection. MTT test was used to detect the effect of hepaCAM gene on the cell proliferation.

RESULTS: RT-PCR showed that hepaCAM expression level was significantly lower, and VEGF was significantly higher in urothelial carcinoma tissues than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). hepaCAM and VEGF were strongly correlated with tumor stage (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed lower hepaCAM level was associated with higher VEGF level (r = -0.277 P = 0.041). Experiments with T24 cells in vitro demonstrated the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein were significantly decreased after transfection of hepaCAM gene (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Expression of hepaCAM resulted in a significant inhibition of T24 cells proliferation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: There is a close relationship between hepaCAM and VEGF in urothelial carcinoma. hepaCAM may be defined as a new target for diagnosis and anticancer therapy.