Effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on the proliferation and invasion of human Bladder cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the proliferation and invasion of human bladder cancer cells.

METHODS: Human bladder cancer EJ cells were cultured and then treated with sodium bisulfide (NaHS) (100 μmol/L for low dosage, 200 μmol/L for moderate dosage, 400 μmol/L for high dosage). The differences on proliferation and invasion of EJ cells were detected among different groups with MTT and transwell invasion assays. The differences in the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 among the groups were detected with Western blot.

RESULTS: Cell proliferation activity was elevated by exogenous NaHS, with significantly statistical difference compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). With the increased NaHS concentration, the EJ cell proliferation activity presented a statistically significant trend of increase, showing comparative differences among different groups (P < 0.05). Exogenous NaHS could also improve the invasion ability of bladder cancer EJ cells, which was significantly enhanced with increased NaHS dose (P < 0.001). The levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in EJ cells were significantly upregulated with the increased NaHS dose (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Exogenous H2S may promote cell proliferation and invasion by upregulating the expression level of MMP2 and MMP9 in human bladder cancer EJ cells.