Abstract:

Objective   To investgate the effect and mechanism of norepinephrine(NE) on glioblastoma invasion and migration, and to evaluate the possibility of β-blocker propranolol as an anti-invasion agent. Methods   RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of β-adrenergic receptors in T98G, U251 and U87 cell lines. Transwell assay was performed to evaluate the effect of NE on glioblastoma invasion. Gelatin zymography was used to assess the effect of NE on MMP-2 activity in glioblastoma. Results   Compared with the control group, NE (0.1μmol/L~10μmol/L) significantly induced glioblastoma cell invasion. The β-receptor antagonist propranolol (1nmol/L) could block the NE induced glioblastoma invasion. The activity of  MMP-2 increased significantly after NE (0.1μmol/L~10μmol/L) stimulation, which could be abrogated by propranolol (1nmol/L). Conclusion   NE can promote MMP-2 secretion in glioblastoma to facilitate its invasion, which can be inhibited by Propranolol.

Key words: Propranolol;  Matrix metalloproteinases;  Norepinephrine; Invasion;  Glioblastoma