OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of autophagy specific gene Beclin-1 in gastric cancer cell SGC7901 on vasculogenic mimicry (VM) forming ability.

METHODSPlasmid vectors with and without integrated shRNA were transfected respectively into SGC7901 cell line (Beclin1-inhibited group and negative control group). Simple SGC7901 cell line was used as blank group. RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to examine the expression of Beclin-1 in 3 groups. Culture was used to construct the VM model in vitro. Different VM forming ability was measured and genes (beclin-1, notch-1) expression of each group was detected before and after VM formation.

RESULTSBeclin-1 and notch-1 expression increased significantly in the process of VM forming. When beclin-1 was inhibited, the formation of VM was limited and VM formative genes expression decreased. As compared to cells of negative control group, those of Beclin1-inhibited group had less number of VM forming cellular tube-like construction (15.4±1.1 vs. 37.8±1.9, P<0.05), shorter length of such construction [(316.8±24.6) mm vs. (385.1±14.2) mm, P<0.05], and less crossing point (11.6±1.1 vs. 27.2±1.1, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBeclin-1 can promote VM formation through maintaining stable expression of gastric cancer cell VM regulating genes. Beclin-1 inhibition may be a new target for gastric cancer gene therapy.