The role of VE-cadherin in osteosarcoma cells

Pathol Oncol Res. 2010 Mar;16(1):111-7. doi: 10.1007/s12253-009-9198-1. Epub 2009 Sep 17.

Abstract

Osteosarcoma cells can generate vasculogenic-like, patterned networks to obtain nutrients and oxygen, which mimic some function of endothelial-like cells and facilitate tumor malignant progress. These cells also express vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin), which is generally accepted as a strictly endothelial-specific transmembrane protein. However, its role is still relatively obscure in osteosarcoma cells. So we inhibit the VE-cadherin gene expression with siRNA in osteosarcoma cells (MG63), and culture those cells in three-dimensional medium, containing Type I collagen or Matrigel, to observe the role of VE-cadherin. Western blotting analysis show that sequence-specific siRNA can significantly decrease the expression of VE-cadherin in MG63 cell. After knockdown of VE-cadherin, osteosarcoma cells can't induced angiogenic sprout and form osteosarcoma-generated, endothelial-like networks. Our data indicate that VE-cadherin may be a positive and specific regulator not only in angiogenesis, but also in vasculogenic mimicry of osteosarcoma cells. And it can be considered as a new prospective option in the combining treatment of aggressive tumor with highly vascularity, including osteosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Osteosarcoma / genetics
  • Osteosarcoma / metabolism*
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cadherins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • cadherin 5