Propofol suppresses invasion, angiogenesis and survival of EC-1 cells in vitro by regulation of S100A4 expression.

OBJECTIVE: Propofol possess anticancer properties in several cancers. In the present study, we investigate the effect of propofol on the human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) EC-1 cells in vitro and its molecular mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EC-1 cells were explored to 10-100 mu mol/L propofol for 72 h or 100 mu mol/L/mL propofol for 24-72 h. EC-1 cells were explored to 100 mu mol/L propofol for 24 h, then was transiently transfected into PcDNA3.1-S100A4 cDNA or PcDNA3.1 plasmid for 48 hrs. MTT, TUNEL, ELISA, migration, tube formation and immunoblotting were analized. RESULTS: Propofol inhibits invasion, angiogenesis, proliferation and induces apoptosis in a dose and time-dependence manner, followed by deseased S100A4 expression by Western blot assay. Pre-transfection of PcDNA3.1-S100A4 cDNA inhibits propofol-induced apoptosis and promotes invasion and angiogenesis in EC-1 cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol inhibited invasion, angiogenesis and induces apoptosis of human EC-1 cells in vitro through regulation of S100A4 expression. It not only can be an anesthesia agent, but also plays a important role of inhibiting the migration and angiogenesis of ESCC cells in the therapy of ESCC patients.