Objective: To explore the expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) in QBC939 and the effects of PPAR-gamma activated by its ligand pioglitazone on the growth of human bile duct carcinoma cell line.
Methods: QBC939 cells were cultured and treated with different concentration of pioglitazone; the expression of PPAR-gamma mRNA was detected by RT-PCR; the effects of PPAR-gamma activated by its ligand on cell proliferation were examined by cell count under light microscope; the influences of activated PPAR-gamma on cell cycle were examined by flow cytometry, and the apoptosis of cancer cells induced by PPAR-gamma ligand pioglitazone was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL methods.
Results: PPAR-gamma was expressed in human hilar bile duct carcinoma cell line QBC939. And after PPAR-gamma was activated by its ligand pioglitazone, it significantly inhibited cell proliferation, produced G2/M phase arrest and induced apoptosis of QBC939.
Conclusions: PPAR-gamma, after being activated by its ligand pioglitazone, can inhibit the cell growth of QBC939 remarkably through suppression of cell proliferation, increase in proportion of G2/M phase cells and induction of apoptosis, so PPAR-gamma may be a molecular therapeutical target against the human bile duct carcinoma.