CD 13 overexpression promotes rectal cancer cell proliferation by increasing VEGF expression

Objective: To observe the expression level of cluster of differentiation 13 (CD13) in rectal cancer tissues and explore the effect of CD13 overexpression on the biological behavior of rectal cancer cells. Methods: Expression of CD13 in rectal cancer tissues and cancer-adjacent normal tissues was detected via immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The rectal cancer cell line SW1463 was cultured and transfected with CD13 vector at concentrations of 0 μg/mL, 20 μg/mL, 40 μg/mL, 80 μg/mL and 160 μg/mL, respectively. Changes in the proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis abilities as well as expression of the neovascular marker vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected. Results: The protein content of CD13 in rectal cancer tissues was higher than that in cancer-adjacent normal tissues. Expression of CD13 mRNA in rectal cancer tissues was positively correlated with tumor-node-metastasis stage. Transfection of CD13 expression vectors could increase the proliferation and metastasis abilities as well as VEGF expression of SW1463 rectal cancer cells, and reduce the apoptosis rate of SW1463 rectal cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: CD13 was overexpressed in rectal cancer tissues. Overexpressed CD13 could increase proliferation and metastasis abilities as well as VEGF expression of SW1463 rectal cancer cells and decrease apoptosis of SW1463 rectal cancer cells.