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HERG1 K+ channels on the leukemic cells mediated angiogenesis in vitro

  • Biology
  • Published:
Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences

Abstract

Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG1) K+ channels are overexpressed in leukemia, which contributes to neoangiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HERG1 K+ channels on leukemia angiogenesis. We cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in conditioned media, which were derived from leukemic cells with or without E-4031, a HERG1 K+ channel special inhibitor. The HUVECs proliferation was measured using CCK-8 assay and migration by a Trans-well. Endothelial tube formation was investigated using Matrigel. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were tested by ELISA and VEGF mRNA expression using RT-PCR. Our results revealed that blocking HERG1 K+ channels could inhibit leukemia-induced HUVECs proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro. The results suggested that HERG1 K+ channels could increase leukemia angiogenesis. Furthermore, blockage of HERG1 K+ channels could also decrease leukemic cells secreting VEGF and expressing VEGF mRNA. HERG1 K+ channels have a promoting effect on leukemia angiogenesis, and the possible mechanism may be that HERG1 K+ channels enhance VEGF expression. Thus, HERG1 K+ channel is a potential target of antiangiogenesis in leukemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China

    Huiyu Li, Dongmei Guo, Fang Zheng, Kaiwei Liang, Wenying Li & Shenghua Jie

Authors
  1. Huiyu Li
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  2. Dongmei Guo
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  3. Fang Zheng
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  4. Kaiwei Liang
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  5. Wenying Li
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  6. Shenghua Jie
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Correspondence to Shenghua Jie.

Additional information

Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30971112)

Biography: LI Huiyu, female, Professor, research direction: hematology and leukemia stem cell.

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Li, H., Guo, D., Zheng, F. et al. HERG1 K+ channels on the leukemic cells mediated angiogenesis in vitro . Wuhan Univ. J. Nat. Sci. 19, 178–184 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11859-014-0998-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11859-014-0998-0

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