All-trans Retinoic Acid Inhibits Invasion of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma SMMC-7721 Cells

Objective To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)on the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells and its molecular mechanism.Methods The effects of ATRA on migration and invasion were examined by scratch healing assay and Transwell assay,and the expressions of mRNA and proteins of CD147 and MMP-2 in treated SMMC-7721 cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively.Results Scratch healing assay revealed that the scuffing distance of SMMC-7721 cells exposed to 10,20,and 40 μmol·L-1 ATRA for 24 h was significantly increased compared with non-treatment group,indicating that ATRA could inhibit migration of SMMC-7721 cells(P0.05).Transwel1 assay showed that the number of SMMC-7721 cells that migrated through the matrigel after being treated by 10,20,and 40 μmol.L-1 ATRA for 24 h was significantly decreased,compared with the non-treatment group,indicating that ATRA could inhibit invasion of SMMC-7721cells(P0.05).Real-time PCR showed that expression of CD147 and MMP-2 mRNA was down regulated in SMMC-7721 cells treated by 10,20,and 40 μmol·L-1 ATRA for 24 h,respectively.Western blot demonstrated that the expression of CD147 and MMP-2 protein was decreased in SMMC-7721 cells exposed to 10,20,and 40 μmol.L-1 ATRA for 24 h.Conclusion ATRA may inhibit the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells,which may be related to the down-regulation of CD147 and MMP-2.