Propofol affects the biological behavior of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells via ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling pathway

Purpose: To investigate the effect of propofol on the biological behavior of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells, and the mechanism of action involved. Methods: SKOV3 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into control group, fat emulsion group, low-dose propofol group (LDPG, 25 mu mol/L), medium-dose propofol group (MDPG) (50 mu mol/L) and high-dose propofol group (HDPG) (100 mu mol/L). Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, while Transwell assay was used to measure the migration and invasion abilities of the cells. The protein levels of ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 were assayed with Western blotting. Moreover, the cells were transfected with siERK, and the regulatory effect of propofol on ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling pathway was determined. Results: Apoptosis in HDPG was significantly reduced, relative to MDPG, while migration and invasion were enhanced, relative to MDPG (p < 0.05). Moreover, MMP-2, ERK1/2, and MMP-9 proteins were significantly higher in MDPG and HDPG than in control, fat emulsion and LDPGs (p < 0.05), and were upregulated in HDPGs, relative to MDPG (p < 0.05). In contrast, propofol did not up-regulate these proteins in siRNA-treated cells. Conclusion: Propofol enhances the migration, proliferation, and invasive ability SKOV3 cells, and upregulates the expressions of MMP-2, ERK1/2, and MMP-9 in these cells, via a mechanism related to the activation of ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling route. These properties provide novel leads for the development of new drugs for ovarian cancer