[Effect of arsenic trioxide on VEGF/R and MMP-2, 9 expressed in K562 cells].

Objective: To explore the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2 O3) on the level of VEGF, VEGFR and the activity of MMP-2, 9 in K562 cells.

Methods: The inhibition ratio of K562 cell was detected by MTT assay, the level of VEGF by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression ratio of VEGFR by flow cytometry (FCM), and the activity of MMP-2, 9 by gelatin zymography assay.

Results: (1) The IC50 of K562 cells was (2.12 +/- 0.11) micromol/L. Proliferation of K562 cells was significantly inhibited at the concentration of 0.4 - 6.4 micromol/L As2 O3 (P < 0.05). (2) The expression of VEGF was slightly up-regulated by 0.05 micromol/L As2 O3 (P > 0.05) and prominently inhibited by 0.4 micromol/L and 3.2 micromol/L As2 O3 (P < 0.05). As2 O3 had no influence on VEGFR. (3) The activity of MMP-2 and 9 was partly inhibited by 0.05 micromol/L As2 O3 incubated 72 hours and by 0.4, 3.2 micromol/L, As2 O3. With the increase of As2 O3 concentration and the incubation time, the inhibited effect on MMP-2 and 9 was enhanced.

Conclusions: As2 O3 may down-regulate the expression of VEGF and inhibit the activity of MMP-2 and 9.