The anti-angiogenic activity of human endostatin inhibits bladder cancer growth and its mechanism.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We investigated whether recombinant human endostatin can inhibit the growth of bladder cancer in an experimental model and its possible mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The recombinant human endostatin protein was induced and confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot assays. Its biological activities and the possible mechanisms of action were studied in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Recombinant human endostatin inhibited the proliferation of endothelial cells (ECV304) but not bladder tumor cells (EJ). Endostatin induced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases in bladder cancer cells. Endostatin slowed the growth of xenograft bladder tumors. Immunohistochemistry revealed that endostatin blocked angiogenesis by decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor expression and inducing apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that endostatin can inhibit xenograft bladder cancer growth and this effect is likely to be mediated by regulating matrix metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and by inducing apoptosis.