OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of isoliquiritigenin on the migration and invasion of human glioma stem cells and the underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe stem cell markers CD133 and Nestin in SHG44 human glioma stem cells were examined with immunofluorescence microscopy. The migration and invasion ability of glioma stem cells was determined by transwell method. The mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSCD133 and Nestin were positive in SHG44 cells. The number of migrated cells in SHG44 cells treated with 20 and 80 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin for 48 h were significantly lower than that in control group (76±5 and 42±4 vs. 85±6, all <0.01), and the number of migrated cells in 80 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin group was lower than that in 20 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin group (<0.01). The numbers of cells crossing through membrane in 20 and 80 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin groups were 190±13 and 130±9, respectively, which were significantly lower than that in control group (230±14, all <0.01), and the number of crossed cells in the 80 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin group was lower than that in 20 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin group (<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased compared with control group (<0.05 or <0.01), and the expression levels in 80 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin group were lower than those in 20 μmol/L isoliquiritigenin group (<0.05 or <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIsoliquiritigenin exhibits antitumor effects on glioma stem cells by inhibiting cell migration and invasion, which may be related to the down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.