Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor A in PROX1 silenced colorectal cancer xenografts

In our research we studied if the overexpression of VEGF-A would save the impaired tumor growth in PROX1 silenced colorectal cancer xenografts. We conducted both small hairpin PROX1 and VEGF-A gene transfers to SW1222 colorectal cancer cells using lentiviral vectors. SW1222 cell lines were then injected to Nod scid gamma mice and grown for 14 days for analysis. We also established 3D cocultures of genetically modified SW1222 cell line together with lymphatic endothelial cells or blood endothelial cells to analyze lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro. We found out that overexpression of VEGF-A rescues the growth of PROX1 silenced tumors. Large necrotic areas in the central of the PROX1 silenced tumors remain even though VEGF-A overexpression induces greater vascularity in these xenografts. In 3D cocultures silencing of PROX1 did not affect in vitro lymphangiogenesis or angiogenesis