High-glucose promotes proliferation of human bladder cancer T24 cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Bladder cancer is the most prevalent genitourinary malignant disorder worldwide. We aimed to observe effects of high-glucose on bladder cancer proliferation and explore the associated mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human bladder cancer cell line, T24, was divided into Blank, Control (Ctrl), 10 mmol/l, 20 mmol/l and 30 mmol/l group. T24 cell proliferation was evaluated by using multiple table tournament (MTT) assay and colony formation analysis, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was employed to examine mRNA expression of Wnt-5a and β-catenin. Meanwhile, Western blot assay was used to evaluate expression of Wnt-5a and β-catenin protein. The linear regression analysis was utilized to analyze correlation between Wnt-5a/β-catenin expression and T24 cell proliferation.

RESULTS: High-glucose significantly enhanced proliferation of T24 cells compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.05). High-glucose significantly promoted colony formation of T24 cells compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.05). High-glucose significantly up-regulated Wnt-5a mRNA and protein expression compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.01). High-glucose significantly increased β-catenin mRNA and protein expression compared to that of Blank and Ctrl group (p < 0.01). Effects of high-glucose on T24 cell proliferation were increased following with the enhanced glucose concentration. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway molecules were correlated with colony formation of T24 cells (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: High-glucose promoted the proliferation of T24 cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study would provide the novel targets for bladder cancer therapy.