Expression of Syndecan-2 in gastric adenocarcinoma and its effect on tumorigenesis in vitro

Background: Syndecan-2 (Sdc2) can affect the behavior of some cancer cells. However it is poorly understood in terms of its role in tumorigenesis of gastric carcinoma. The present study was undertaken to explore the expression and prognostic role of Sdc2 in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma tissue, and its effect on tumorigenesis in vitro. Methods: Sdc2 expression in 46 tissue samples of gastric adenocarcinoma was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and survival time. The expression of Sdc2 in gastric carcinoma cell lines was confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. Cell migration and invasion assays were carried out to investigate whether the decreased Sdc2 by siRNA transfection affected the tumorigenesis of gastric carcinoma cells. Results: The results showed that Sdc2 was expressed in tumor tissues and its expression intensity was significantly correlated with invasive and metastatic tendency (P<0.05), but not associated with prognosis (P>0.05). Through in vitro experiments, we proved that down-regulation of Sdc2 with siRNA diminished Sdc2-induced cell migration and invasion in SGC-7901 gastric carcinoma cells. Conclusions: These results suggested regulatory effects on migration and invasion by Sdc2 in gastric carcinoma cell. The up-regulation of Sdc2 expression in cancer tissue might play an important role in cancer progression of gastric adenocarcinoma.