EFEMP1 expression promotes angiogenesis and accelerates the growth of cervical cancer in vivo.

Objective: The study was to investigate the role of EFEMP1 in angiogenesis and growth of cervical carcinoma in vivo.

Methods: Effects of EFEMP1 on proliferation of Hela cells and HUVECs, invasion of Hela cells and migration of HUVECs, and adhesion of Hela cells to HUVECs were evaluated by MTT, Transwell chamber assay and adhesion assay, respectively. EFEMP1 overexpression in Hela cells was achieved by stable EFEMP1 gene transfection into Hela cells by Lipofectamin™ 2000 and the effectiveness of transfection was verified with western-blotting. The effect of EFEMP1 transfection upon the VEGF expression of Hela cells was detected with ELISA. The nude mouse models bearing cervical cancer were established with Hela cells transfected with EFEMP1 gene to observe the role of EFEMP1 in angiogenesis and growth of cervical cancer in vivo. VEGF expression and microvascular density of cervical cancer tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry and CD34 labeling respectively to elucidate the pathway by which EFEMP1 influences the growth of cervical cancer.

Results: Proliferation and invasion of Hela cells were promoted by the EFEMP1 protein. The EFEMP1 gene transfection into Hela cells was successful and EFEMP1 gene obtained stable high expression in Hela cells. Compared to the control, the tumors with EFEMP1 overexpression showed a faster growth rate and had a higher level of VEGF expression and microvascular density. EFEMP1 gene transfection elevated the VEGF protein level in Hela cells and EFEMP1 protein facilitated the adhesion of Hela cells to HUVECs. However, no direct effect of EFEMP1 was observed on proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs.

Conclusions: EFEMP1 promoted the angiogenesis and accelerated the growth of cervical carcinoma in vivo through a VEGF up-regulation pathway.