Influence of hypoxia on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, microvessel density-CD34 and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 in echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces

Objective To explore the effects of hypoxia on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD34 and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3) in Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces. Methods Culture the Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces and HepG2 cell for one week, and then divide the protoscoleces into three groups, that is the normal cultured control group(group A), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent control group(group B), deferoxamine induced group(group C). Continue to culture 24 hours and eosin stain to test the vitality of the protoscoleces, tests the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), VEGF, CD34 and Caspase-3. Results Continued to culture 24 hours, the vitality of three groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05); The expression quantity of HIF-1α of each group was (852.00±124.41), (806.20±118.51), (1168.20±93.59) ng/L; the VEGF was (158.28±29.24), (157.49±26.88) (222.36±18.87) ng/L; the CD34 was (605.40±49.95), (592.20±51.91), (873.60±61.15) ng/L, and the Caspase-3 of each group was (14.90±1.057), (15.54±1.17), (20.54±2.25) mmol/L, group C compared with group A and group B, the difference had statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion Hypoxia in vitro can increase the expression quantity of VEGF, CD34, Caspase-3, and angiogenesis may be one of the important reasons that lead to the invasive growth of echinococcus multilocularis. Key words: Echinococcus multilocularis; Hypoxia; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Microvessel density; Cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3