Effects of HAb18G/CD147 antagonistic peptides on invasion and metastasis of HCC

AIM: To obtain the antagonistic peptides that have effect to prevent metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Nine pieces of high affinity peptides (AP-1-AP-9) were obtained by pure HAb18G/CD147 antigen to panning phage displayed random peptide library. MTT assay was used to test toxicity of AP-1-AP-9 on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HHCC); Gelatin zymogram was used to analyze the effects of AP-1-AP-9 on activation and production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs); Matrigel-boyden chamber method was used to evaluate inhibitory abilities of AP-1-AP-9 on tumor cell invasion and metastasis; Inhibitory effect of AP-1-AP-9 on HHCC adhesion to extracellular matrix protein and fb cells were investigated. The influences of AP-1-AP-9 on HHCC chemotaxis migration were also tested. RESULTS: AP-1-AP-9 has no toxicity on HHCC; AP-1, AP-6 and AP-9 could inhibit production and activation of MMP-2; the amounts of infiltrative cells in AP-1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 experimental groups are significantly less than that in control group (P <0.05), and inhibition rate was 78.22%, 90.1%, 62.83%, 56.44%, 68.32%, 81.19 %, respectively; AP-1-AP-9 had no effects on HHCC adhesion to matrigel and fibronectin (FN), whereas AP-3 and AP-9 could inhibit HHCC adhesion to collagen IV and laminin (LN), AP-1, AP-6 and AP-9 could inhibit HHCC adhesion to fb. AP-6 could inhibit chemotaxis migration of HHCC with the inhibitory rate of 54% without statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: HAb18G/CD147 antagonistic peptides (AP-1-AP-9) have inhibitory effects on many aspects or steps associated with metastasis of HCC, which provides avenue to explore medication for preventing metastasis of HCC.