Effects Atra on MMP-9 Activity and Integrin Expression in Choriocarcinoma Culture Cell Line Bewo (ATCC CCL-98)

Choriocarcinoma is characterized by aggressive growth and metastasis, and integrins and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) play crucial roles in its progression. ATRA (All-trans retinoic acid) has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in various cancers, poses a 15-20% malignancy risk.  This study investigates the effects ATRA on MMP-9 activity and integrin expression in the choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo, and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying these effects.

This is an experimental study using choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo. Six treatment groups were established to varying concentrations of ATR and one group served as a control without ATRA exposure. The groups were labelled with fluorescence and performed with flowcytometry to determine MMP-9 and integrin expression. Data was presented as mean ± SD and analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests in which p-value <0.05.

ATRA at the doses of 100, 200, 400, and 800 μg/ml significantly decreased the MMP-9 activity compared to those in the control group. Furter, ATRA at the doses of 100, 200, 400, and 800 μg/ml significantly increased the integrin expression compared to those in the control group.

ATRA might decrease the MMP-9 activity as an invasive factor and increase integrin expression as an adhesive factor in the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line that might play a role in the metastasis mechanism.