Original Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2010; 16(15): 1859-1866
Published online Apr 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i15.1859
Effect of S1P5 on proliferation and migration of human esophageal cancer cells
Wei-Min Hu, Li Li, Bao-Qian Jing, Yong-Sheng Zhao, Chao-Li Wang, Li Feng, Yong-En Xie
Wei-Min Hu, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637007, Sichuan Province, China
Li Li, Bao-Qian Jing, Chao-Li Wang, Li Feng, Yong-En Xie, Institute of Immunology and Molecular Biology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637007, Sichuan Province, China
Yong-Sheng Zhao, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637007, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Hu WM and Jing BQ designed the research; Hu WM and Li L performed the majority of experiments; Zhao YS provided the normal human esophageal mucosa sample; Wang CL, Feng L and Xie YE cultured the cells and performed part of molecular biology experiments; Hu WM wrote the paper.
Supported by The Key Project of Ministry of Education, No. 209105; Sichuan Youth Science and Technology Foundation, No. 08ZQ026-081; and Key Laboratory Foundation of North Sichuan Medical College, No. KFJJ (08)-03
Correspondence to: Wei-Min Hu, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, North Sichuan Medical College, Fujiang Road No. 234, Nanchong 637007, Sichuan Province, China. wmhu2002@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-817-2134039 Fax: +86-817-3352000
Received: January 7, 2010
Revised: February 2, 2010
Accepted: February 9, 2010
Published online: April 21, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor expression profile in human esophageal cancer cells and the effects of S1P5 on proliferation and migration of human esophageal cancer cells.

METHODS: S1P receptor expression profile in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Eca109 was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Eca109 cells were stably transfected with S1P5-EGFP or control-EGFP constructs. The relation between the responses of cell proliferation and migration to S1P and S1P5 expression was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and migration assay, respectively.

RESULTS: Both normal human esophageal mucosal epithelium and Eca109 cells expressed S1P1, S1P2, S1P3 and S1P5, respectively. Esophageal mucosal epithelium expressed S1P5 at a higher level than Eca109 cell line. S1P5 over-expressing Eca109 cells displayed spindle cell morphology with elongated and extended filopodia-like projections. The proliferation response of S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells was lower than that of control vector-transfected cells with or without S1P stimulation (P < 0.05 or 0.01). S1P significantly inhibited the migration of S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells (P < 0.001). However, without S1P in transwell lower chamber, the number of migrated S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells was greater than that of control vector-transfected Eca109 cells (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: S1P binding to S1P5 inhibits the proliferation and migration of S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells. Esophageal cancer cells may down-regulate the expression of S1P5 to escape the inhibitory effect.

Keywords: Sphingosine 1-phosphate; Esophageal cancer; Sphingosine 1-phosphate 5; Proliferation; Migration