EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA AND REOXYGENATION ON SYNDECAN-1 AND HIF-1A IN OVARIAN CANCER CELL STRAIN SKOV3

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression profiles of Syndecan-1 in ovarian cancer cell strains and the effects of the hypoxia and re-oxygenation on Syndecan-1 and HIF-1 alpha expression levels. Methods: The expression of Syndecan-1 in ovarian cell strains and the expression of Syndecan-1 and HIF-1 alpha in an ovarian cell strain (SKOV3) under hypoxic conditions and exposure to Rapamycin were evaluated. Results: The results showed that Syndecan-1 was expressed in SKOV3 cells, but not in 3AO cells. Under hypoxic conditions, the expression of transmembrane Syndecan-1 protein was down regulated, while Syndecan-1 mRNA and the soluble Syndecan-1 protein were up-regulated. However, when the hypoxic cells were re-oxygenated, the expression levels of Syndecan-1 mRNA and the soluble Syndecan-1 protein were increased, and the transmembrane Syndecan-1 protein level was decreased. Meanwhile, in hypoxic environment, the HIF-1 alpha mRNA expression level was down regulated and its protein level was up regulated followed by a decline. Conclusions: The expression changes of Syndecan-1 may be associated with the histological type of ovarian cancer. Syndecan-1 may exert its function in tumor cells by regulating the expression of HIF-1 alpha gene.