Effect of hypoxia on the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in osteosarcoma cell line SaOS-2

Purpose:To investigate the change of hypoxia in ducible factor 1α(HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) under hypoxic environment in vitro in osteosarcoma cell line SaOS-2. Methods:The hypoxia culture model was established by a hypoxia chamber. The gene productions of HIF-1α and VEGF were observed at different hy poxia culture phase. The mRNA expression of HIF-1α and VEGF was shown by the s emi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR). The HIF-1α protein was t ested using immunohistochemical staining and Western Blot analysis. The VEGF pro tein in SaOS-2 and supernatants was tested using immunohistochemical staining a nd enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:After the hypoxia treatment,the mRNA level of HIF-1α was not changed significantly ,however, the protein expression was increased rem arkably with correspondence to the hypoxia time. VEGF expression was up-regula ted under hypoxia both in mRNA level and in protein level. Conclusions:HIF-1α and VEGF genes could be up-regulated in o steosarcoma cell line SaOS-2 by hypoxia culture in vitro. These mechanism m ay be involved in the progress of tumor angiogenesis.