Pigment epithelium-derived factor inhibits T24 bladder cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo

Aim Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a multifunctional inhibitor on both angiogenesis and tumor growth and has not been studied yet in bladder cancer. We therefore investigated the therapeutic effects of PEDF on bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo. Methods Exogenous PEDF cDNA was delivered into T24 bladder cancer cells with recombinant adenovirus vector (AdvPEDF). Virus without target cDNA (AdvCon) was used as control. A series of cell assays and animal experiment were conducted using AdvPEDF and AdvCon for comparison of inhibitive effects on cell viability and tumor growth. Real-time RT-PCR was used for mRNA detection of angiogenesis related factors. Results PEDF induced retardation in cell viability, proliferation and invasiveness. Increased cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase were also induced by PEDF. AdvPEDF induced down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and up-regulation of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). Injection of AdvPEDF significantly reduced tumor volume and microvessel density (MVD) in nude mice with transplantation tumor of bladder cancer. Conclusion These results contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanism of treatment strategies of PEDF for bladder cancer.