BACKGROUNDTo study the effect of overexpression of p73 gene on cell growth curve and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA expression in lung adenocarcinoma cell, and to explore its effect on angiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODSp73α and p73β were transferred into A549 cell and H1299 cell by liposome, the positive cell clones were chosen by G418. The cell growth curves were drawn by cell counting. The expressions of VEGF and bFGF mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSOverexpression of p73 gene could inhibit the growth of A549 cell and H1299 cell. VEGF and bFGF mRNA expressions in A549 cell and H1299 cell were decreased after transfer of p73 gene (P < 0.05), VEGF mRNA was decreased more obviously after transfer of p73β (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOverexpression of p73 gene can inhibit the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cell, decrease VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression. The results suggest that overexpression of p73 gene might be involved in the regulation of VEGF and bFGF gene expression in lung adenocarcinoma and act as an antioncogene.