Inhibition of SHP-2 promotes radiosensitivity in glioma

Abstract

As a phosphatase, SHP-2 has been identified to be involved in regulating several cell functions, including growth, division, adhesion and motility. Therefore, SHP-2 may affect the response of glioma to radiotherapy, such as via enhancing angiogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the function of SHP-2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase, in the radiosensitivity of glioma. U251, U87 and SHG44 glioma cell lines were transfected with small interfering (si)RNA against SHP-2 and cell proliferation was assessed using a cell counting kit 8 assay, cell apoptosis was assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunoblotting, cell invasion was determined by an invasion assay, and the vasculogenic mimicry capacity was assessed by a tube formation assay. SHP-2 siRNA transfection reduced the proliferation and increased apoptosis in the glioma cell lines. Downregulation of SHP-2 suppressed glioma cell invasion and vasculogenic mimicry. These results demonstrated that no significant difference was observed between glioma tissues and normal brain tissues, however, silencing of SHP-2 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry in the glioma cell lines. SHP-2 may be a novel therapeutic target for glioma.