Methylation of WWOX gene promotes proliferation of osteosarcoma cells

To explore the effects of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene methylation on proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.

A total of 51 patients with osteosarcoma confirmed by pathological examinations were enrolled as the observation group, while 49 cases with non-osteosarcoma diagnosed and treated in our hospital were randomly selected as the control group. Osteosarcoma cell lines MG63 and HOS were selected as observation group, while those added with methylation inhibitor were set as control group, of which genomic methylation level was determined via HPLC. Proliferation of the two cell lines was compared via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay at 12 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h. Invasion rate of cells in each group was tested via Transwell assay at 24 h.

The average methylation rate of WWOX gene was remarkably higher in osteosarcoma tissues in comparison with normal adjacent tissues and control group (p<0.05). A higher methylation rate was found in MG63 cell line compared with in HOS cell line (p<0.05). More cells were observed in MG63 cell line than in HOS cell line and control group from 24h (p<0.05). Besides, 24-h invasion rate was higher in MG63 cell line than in HOS cell line and control group (p<0.05). Moreover, MG63 cell line prompted a lower 24-h apoptotic rate in comparison with HOS cell line and control group (p<0.05).

Methylation level of WWOX gene is intimately associated with the occurrence and progression of osteosarcoma, which is able to promote the proliferation of cancer cells to a certain extent, thus accelerating the development of disease.