Role of Nitric Oxide in Proliferation Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Induced Malignant Melanoma Cell

Objective To observe the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) on the proliferation of malignant melanoma cell line A375,to study the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the process and to investigate the mechanism of VEGF.Methods The VEGF_ 165 cDNA was transfected into A375 cells by electroporation.VEGF mRNA and protein in A375 cells before and after gene transfer were detected by reverse transcription polymerse chain reaction(RT-PCR) and ELISA.The proliferation and activity of A375 cells were assessed by cell counting and MTT in transfected and control cells.NO levels in A375 cells supernatant were measured by nitrate reductase method.Transfected A375 cells proliferation was observed with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor,N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).Results VEGF mRNA in transfected A375 cells was significantly increased at 48 h,72 h and 96 h,compared to untransfected cells( P 0.05).VEGF protein and NO levels had the same change.The proliferation of transfected A375 cells was enhanced,compared to untransfected cells( P 0.05).L-NAME could inhibit A375 cells proliferation effect of VEGF dose-dependently( P 0.05).Conclusion Endogenous NO could play an important role in the process of enhanced proliferation of A375 cells by VEGF.