HIV-1 viral protein R decreases malignant behavior of glioma cell U251

Objective To study the effect of recombinant adenovirus mediated transfection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral protein R （Vpr） on TGFβR Ⅲ expression and malignant behavior of glioma cell U251. Methods U251 ceils were divided into the control group, mock group and experiment group, the mock and experiment group were transfected with Ad-GFP and Ad-Vpr, respectively at a multiplicity of infection （MOI） of 100. The expression of Vpr, TGFβR Ⅲ, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by western blot, the malignant biological behavior changes of U251 cells transfected by Ad-Vpr were evaluated by scratch assay and transwell assay. Results Western blot showed that the Vpr protein could be expressed after Ad-Vpr transfection, meanwhile, the expression of TGFβR Ⅲ was up regulated by Ad-Vpr transfection, Relative density values of TGFβRⅢ compared to β-actin in control, Ad-GFP and Ad-Vpr group were0. 71 ±0. 04,0. 83± 0. 09 and 1.13 ±0. 16, respectively, there were significant different in three groups（ P 〈 0. 05 ）. While the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-2 were down regnlated by Ad-Vpr transfection. Relative density values of MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared to 13-actin were 0. 51 ± 0. 11 and 0. 43 ±0. 08 for Ad-Vpr group, 1.11 ±0. 11 and 1.06±0. 18 for control group and 1.23 s0.05 and 1.16 ± 0. 12 for Ad-GFP group, respectively. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased comparing to control and Ad-GFP group （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. Transwell assay results showed that the average ceils across the membrane were 123.12 ± 10. 82, 118.89 ±12. 65 and 80. 64 ± 7.72 in control, Ad-GFP and Ad-Vpr group, respectively. Compared with control and the Ad-GFP group, the cells across the membrane in Ad-Vpr group were significantly reduced （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. Conclusions Vpr could decrease migratory and invasive behavior of glioma U251 cells probably by upregnlating TGFI3Rm expression. Key words: Glioma;  Viral protein R;  Transforming growth factor-β receptor Ⅲ