Role of heparanase-1 in gastric carcinoma invasion.

PURPOSE The heparan sulfate-degrading endoglycosidase may mediate tumor invasion and metastasis. It is known that heparanase-1 (HPA-1) plays an important role in cleaving heparan sulfate. In this study we investigated its potential role in gastric carcinoma malignant behaviour. METHODS To assess the role of HPA-1, we suppressed its expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA). The human heparanase-1 specific siRNA was transfected to the human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC7901. The effect of gene silencing was assessed by Real-Time PCR and Western Blot. The invasion potential of the cells was evaluated using an in vitro cell invasion model system. RESULTS The HPA-1 specific siRNA significantly suppressed expression of heparanase-1 in SGC7901 cells. Invasion after RNAi treatment through membranes in a model system was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION HPA-1 facilitates gastric carcinoma invasion by up-regulating endoglycosidase activity in tumor cells.