Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that Calcitriol or its analogs has an anti-tumour activity. This study was designed to determine the effect and mechanism of Calcitriol on MHCC-97 heptocellular cell lines.
Methods: MHCC97 cell lines were treated with Calcitriol of 10(-6) approximately 10(-9) M concentration and with Calcitriol in lipiodol ultra-fluid (LUF) respectively. The conditions of cell proliferation were analyzed by MTT method. The cell apoptosis and cycle were analyzed by using a flow cytometer. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentration in the cell supernatant was measured by using ELISA method. C-met and vitamin D receptor (VDR) mRNA in cells were determined by using RT-PCR method. VDR and ERK(1/2) proteins were determined by using Western Blotting method.
Results: Calcitriol inhibited the proliferation of MHCC97 cell lines with an accumulation of cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase and reduction of cells in S phase. Calcitriol dissolved in LUF resulted in a better and longer inhibitive effect on the cell lines than Calcitriol alone. MHCC97 cell lines secreted HGF and expressed c-met mRNA and ERK(1/2) proteins abundantly. Calcitriol remarkably inhibited the expressions of c-met mRNA and ERK(1/2) proteins.
Conclusion: Calcitriol inhibits the growth of MHCC-97 heptocellular cell lines by down modulating c-met and ERK expressions.