HIF-2α affects proliferation and apoptosis of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells through MAPK signaling

The present study explored the mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)‑2α in proliferation and apoptosis of the osteosarcoma cell line, MG‑63. Cells were treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against HIF‑2α (silenced group) or without siRNA (control group). Cell viability of MG‑63 in the silenced and the control groups was determined by MTT assay; cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry; the expression of HIF‑2α and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-p38 were measured by western blotting. According to MTT assay, 48 h after siRNA transfection, compared with the control group, cells in the silenced group significantly declined in quantity and the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly. The expression of HIF‑2α and MAPK‑p38 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion, knockdown of HIF-2α in the osteosarcoma cell line reduced the proliferation of cancer cells and increased apoptosis. These effects likely occurred through the MAPK‑p38 signaling pathway.