Vascular endothelial growth factor-C promotes the growth and invasion of gallbladder cancer via an autocrine mechanism
Authors: Yanling Chen
Feifei She
Nanhong Tang
Xiaoqian Wang
Jinhai Zhu
Xiujin Li
Lei Jiang
Shenghua Han
Journal: Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (2010)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C; VEGF receptor-3; VEGFR-2; neoplastic lymphangiogenesis; angiogenesis
Affiliations: Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, China.

Abstract:  Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has a well-defined action on neoplastic lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis through VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and VEGFR-2, respectively, which are generally expressed in endothelial cells. The function of the VEGF-C/receptors pathway in tumor cell types is largely unknown. In this study, we examined the expression and role of VEGF-C/receptors in gallbladder cancer (GBC) cells. We examined the expression of VEGF-C in 50 surgical specimens from gallbladder cancer and three human gallbladder cancer cell lines. Both siRNA and neutralizing antibody to deplete the expression of VEGF-C were used to characterize the biological effect of VEGF-C in GBC NOZ cells. Furthermore, we examined the expression of its receptors, VEGFR-3 and VEGFR-2, in three human GBC cell lines. Our results are as follows: The expression of VEGF-C in the invasive marginal portion was significantly higher than the expression in the central portions. All the three GBC cell lines expressed VEGF-C. Treatment of NOZ cells with VEGF-C siRNA or a neutralizing antibody suppressed cell proliferation and invasion. Moreover, all the three GBC cell lines expressed VEGFR3, but only the NOZ cells expressed VEGFR-2 mRNA. Treatment of NOZ cells with a VEGFR-3 neutralizing antibody suppressed cell invasion, but treatment of NOZ cells with a VEGFR-2 neutralizing antibody suppressed cell proliferation and invasion. In conclusion, GBC cells express both VEGF-C and its receptors. VEGF-C may have a role in the progressive growth and invasion of human GBC through an autocrine mechanism. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 5A,C.  miR-124 mediates the Notch signaling pathway-related proteins (NICD, HES1 and HES5) among six groups. Notes: A, expression of the Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in SGC-7901 cells detected by western blotting assay;... C, expression of the Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in AGS cells by western blotting assay .  Loading control to C is surprisingly similar to *[left]* and *[middle]* Figs 5B and 4B from [Wen et al (2018)] , and *[right]* 6E from [Zhang et al (2018)] .  The control bands of Fig 6A C of [Wang et al (2018)] also show some similarities.  , 
 Fig 8A,E.  miR-124 promotes apoptosis of GC cells. Notes: A, effects of miR-124 on apoptosis of SGC-7901 cell by flow cytometry... E, effects of miR-124 on apoptosis of AGS cell by flow cytometry .  Colored rectangles indicate pairs of similar panels within A and E, and also links to (e.g.) Fig 10A of [Li et al (2017)]  Fig 7C of [Pan et al (2018)] ;  Fic 7C of [Liu et al (2018)]  , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . --------------------------------------------------- The above article, published online on 23 September 2017 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. A detailed investigation revealed that several image elements of the experimental data were published elsewhere in a different scientific context. Thus, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. ,