OBJECTIVETo establish NB4/VEGF-C cells xenograft in nude mice model, and explore the effect of VEGF-C on hematological malignancies

METHODSNB4/VEGF-C or NB4/pcDNA3.1 cell lines were established by transfecting the recombinant pcDNA3.1-VEGF-C plasmid and the vacant pcDNA3.1 vector into NB4 cells. The recombinant VEGF-C was identified by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Eighteen male BALB/c nude mice aged 4 - 5 weeks were equally divided into two groups. Mice irradiated by 4 Gy ⁶⁰Co were subcutaneously injected with 1 × 10⁷NB4/VEGF-C or NB4/pcDNA3.1 cells into one side of axilla. The volumes of xenograft tumor was evaluated according to L × t² × 0.52. Microvessel density (MVD) on the xenograft tumor section was detected by IHC with VWF antibody.

RESULTSNB4 cell xenograft tumors were developed in all mice of both the two groups. The growth of NB4/VEGF-C cells in nude mice was faster than in controls. There were statistically significant differences in the volume and weight of xenograft tumor between NB4/VEGF-C and NB4/pcDNA3.1 cell groups \[(631.44 ± 114.42) mm³ vs (491.22 ± 70.05) mm³\] (P = 0.006) and \[(321.78 ± 27.84) mg vs (288.57 ± 40.12) mg\] (P = 0.031), respectively. MVD in xenograft tumor of NB4/VEGF-C cells \[(50.8 ± 11.7)/mm²\] was higher than that in controls \[(18.9 ± 7.0)/mm²\] (P = 0.021). The Bcl-2 protein level in NB4/VEGF-C cells xenografts was higher than that in controls.

CONCLUSIONVEGF-C could promote proliferation of NB4 cells by inducing angiogenesis and inhibit cells apoptosis by upregulating antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression in NB4 cells xenograft tumor.