OBJECTIVETo study the expression of HIF-1alpha and SDF-1/CXCR4 in repopulating H22 tumor tissue and the mechanism of angiogenesis of polypeptide extract from scorpion venom (PESV) during chemotherapy treatment.

METHODThe expression of HIF-1alpha and SDF-1/CXCR4 in H22 tumor tissue was monitored by immunohistochemistry, and the expression level was determined by Qwin V3 image analyzing software. The correlation between HIF-1alpha and SDF-1 was analyzed. SDF-1 content was detected by ELISA.

RESULTHIF-1alpha expression was found no difference in model group between 14 d and 21 d, and up-regulated in 28 d. There was no change of HIF-1alpha expression was observed in low-dose PESV group. In high-dose PESV group, the level of HIF-1alpha expression was high in 14 d and low in 21 d. ELISA detecting showed SDF-1 content increased slowly from 14 d to 21 d, highly from 21 d to 28 d. But in high-dose PESV groups, the content increased slowly all the time. The immunohitochemistry method got the same result with ELISA. Correlation analysis showed r = 0.805. CXCR4 expression down-regulated in two PESV treated groups, and no difference was found between these two groups.

CONCLUSIONHIF-1alpha and SDF-1 participated in VEGF expression and angiogenesis in tumor tissue during chemotherapy, while PESV could inhibit the expression of HIF-1alpha and SDF-I.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Scorpion Venoms ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Scorpions ; chemistry ; Time Factors