Stromal cell-derived factor 1α induce epithelial mesenchymal transition of Hela cells

Epithelial mesenchymal transition endows cells with migratory and invasive properties.Two groups of Hela cells (invasive group and non-invasive group) were retrieved utilizing Transwell Permeable Supports by Stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha). In both the invasive and non-invasive groups, the morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope, the expressions of mRNA and protein of E-cadherin and Vimentin were analyzed by RT-PCR assay and Western blot, and the levels of c were detected using RT-PCR. The authors found that compared with the non-invasive group, Hela cells in invasive group showed the mesenchymal morphologic changes, decreased expression of E-cadherin mRNA, and protein (p < 0.05), increased expression of Vimentin mRNA, and protein (p <0.05), up-regulated expression of Snail, Slug, and Twist mRNA (p <0.05). SDF-1 alpha was able to induce epithelial mesenchymal transition of Hela cells, and obtain the invasive features through up-regulation of Snail, Slug, and Twist.