VE-statin/Egfl7 siRNA inhibits angiogenesis in malignant glioma in vitro

This study investigated the role of VE-statin/Egfl7 and its mechanism in angiogenesis in malignant glioma. Transwell culture plates were used to establish an U251-HUVEC co-culture system, which was used to mimic the interaction between malignant glioma and endothelial cells. Lentiviral vectors expressing VE-statin/Egfl7 siRNA were constructed, and U251 cells and HUVECs were transfected to inhibit VE-statin/Egfl7 expression. The proliferation, adherence, migration, and lumen formation of endothelial cells were assayed to investigate the influence of VE-statin/Egfl7 on angiogenesis in malignant glioma in vitro. Data showed that HUVEC growth was temporarily slowed after silencing the VE-statin/Egfl7 gene but rapidly returned to normal. Although endothelial cell migration was not influenced, cell adherence was markedly inhibited. Furthermore, the endothelial cells failed to generate a capillary-like lumen after VE-statin/Egfl7 gene silencing. Therefore, it can be concluded that VE-statin/Egfl7 may regulate the adherence of endothelial cells, thus playing an important role in endothelium-induced lumen formation during angiogenesis in malignant glioma.