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Updated: Oct 23, 2025

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Published on: August 23, 2019
Silencing YKL-40 gene can inhibit inflammatory factor expression and affects the effect of THP-1 cells on endometrial
Qin Luo1, Jiangtao Fan2, Lili Li3
1The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of silencing the YKL-40 gene on the expression of inflammatory factors and the effect of silencing the YKL-40 gene of THP-1 cells on endometrial cancer.
Methods:
We used a siRNA targeting a sequence in YKL-40 (si-YKL-40) to transfect HEC-1A and THP-1 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to investigate the mRNA levels of YKL-40, IL-8 and MMP-9 in HEC-1A and THP-1 cells. Migration, and invasion assays were performed to identify the effects of co-culture with THP-1 cells that silenced YKL-40 gene on the migration and invasion capacity of HEC-1A cells. Tube formation ability were detected by Matrigel-based angiogenesis assay.
Results:
We successfully transfected HEC-1A and THP-1 cells with lentivirus to silence the YKL-40 gene. Compared with the blank control group and NC group, the expression of YKL-40, IL-8 and MMP-9 which were examined by qRT-PCR in YKL-40-siRNA group was significantly reduced in the two cell lines; after co-cultured with the supernatant of transfected THP-1 cells, the migration and invasion ability of HEC-1A cells in YKL-40-siRNA group was significantly reduced; the number of tubes in the YKL-40-siRNA group was significantly reduced, the spacing between the tubes was significantly increased, and the structure of tubes was incomplete.
Conclusion:
Silencing the YKL-40 gene in THP-1 cells can inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors, the invasion and migration of human endometrial cancer cells and the capacity of vitro angiogenic. And YKL-40 gene as a marker of inflammation may be an effective therapeutic target for endometrial cancer.
Insights
Silencing the YKL-40 gene in THP-1 cells reduces inflammatory factors, invasion, and migration in endometrial cancer. YKL-40 may be a therapeutic target for this cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- YKL-40 is a chitinase-like protein implicated in inflammation and cancer progression.
- Understanding YKL-40's role in endometrial cancer is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of silencing the YKL-40 gene on inflammatory factor expression.
- To determine the effect of YKL-40 gene silencing in THP-1 cells on endometrial cancer cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized siRNA targeting YKL-40 (si-YKL-40) for transfection in HEC-1A and THP-1 cells.
- Assessed mRNA levels of YKL-40, IL-8, and MMP-9 using qRT-PCR.
- Evaluated HEC-1A cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis (tube formation) after co-culture with silenced THP-1 cells.
Main Results:
- Successful lentiviral transfection achieved YKL-40 gene silencing in both cell lines.
- YKL-40, IL-8, and MMP-9 mRNA expression significantly decreased in the si-YKL-40 group.
- Silencing YKL-40 in THP-1 cells reduced HEC-1A cell migration, invasion, and in vitro angiogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Silencing YKL-40 in THP-1 cells inhibits inflammatory factors, endometrial cancer cell invasion/migration, and angiogenesis.
- The YKL-40 gene shows potential as a therapeutic target for endometrial cancer due to its inflammatory role.
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