Hypoxia-induced enhancement of cell invasiveness in SMMC7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective: To explore the effects of hypoxia (1% O₂) on the ability of cell invasiveness and expression of KAI1/CD82 in SMMC7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods: SMMC7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were cultured by hypoxia (1% O₂) in vitro, and the ability of cell invasiveness was analyzed by cell invasion assay. Immunohistochemistry staining technique was used to evaluate the protein expression of KAI1/CD82. Results: Cell invasion assay revealed that hypoxia enhanced the ability of invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In addition, KAI1/CD82 protein expression was positive in cultured SMMC7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and it was located diffusedly in the cytoplasm and on the membrane. KAI1/CD82 protein expression was down-regulated when mediated by hypoxia; at the same time, it showed a time-effect relationship. Conclusion: Hypoxia can enhance invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The down-regulation of KAI1/CD82 expression may play a certain role in those courses.