The suppressive effects of IFN-α on human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823

AIM:To observe the inhibitory effect of interferon-α (IFN-α) on the growth invasiveness and metastasis of human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823,and mechanism of its action.METHODS:We detected the influence of IFN-α on the proliferative ability of BGC-823 in cell culture system,the cell vitality with the MTT colorimetric assay,and the cell cycle with flow cytometer (FCM).The regulatory functions of IFN-α to the expression of E-cadherin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in tumor cells were estimated by immunohistochemical analysis (S-P).The ultrastructural changes of the junction among the tumor cells were observed under electron microscope.RESULTS:IFN-α can significantly inhibit the growth of human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823 in a dose-dependent manner.When the concentration of IFN-α was ≥106 U/L,the cell proliferation can be effectively suppressed，the suppression rate was ≥12.2%,and the blockage appeared at the phase of G1-S of the cell cycle.Under the induction of IFN-α,the expression level of the cell E-cadherin increased while the MMP-2 decreased.The changes on ultrastructure of the cells showed the increased adhesive junctions and the relative compact structure.CONCLUSION:IFN-α can suppress the growth of human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823 through its influence on cell cycle.IFN-α can regulate the expression of E-cadherin and MMP-2,make the cell junction closely,so that it has the potential on restricting the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma cells.