T24 and UMUC3 cells were grown in 25 cm2 tissue culture flasks sellckchem and treated with 0. 5, 1. 0, 2. 5, 5. 0 mM valproate, and 1. 0 or 5. 0 uM SAHA for three days. At 5 uM SAHA RNA yields were insuffi cient for analysis indicating a cytotoxic dose. The qPCR results are presented in Figure 3. TSP1 expression in the UMUC3 cells was significantly increased at doses of 1. 0 mM and higher and was over 8 fold higher relative to control at 5 mM. SAHA at 1 uM increased TSP1 ex pression more than three fold as well. Similar results were obtained for the T24 cell line with a dose dependent increase in TSP1 expression, and was signifi cant at 0. 5 mM and higher concentrations of valproate reaching 6 fold levels at 5 mM. SAHA induced TSP1 ex pression almost four fold in the T24 cells.
Discussion The primary goal of our study was to investigate the effects of valproate on bladder cancer cells and provide a possible mechanism for these effects. First, we confirmed decreased proliferation with histone deacetylase inhibition in the two bladder cancer cell lines, T24 and UMUC 3. Second, we demonstrated that valproate increased TSP1 production, evidenced by increased mRNA expression. The UMUC 3 cell line also displayed profound morpho logical changes with valproate. The dendritic processes are consistent with urothelial umbrella cell differentiation. These data support the hypothesis that valproic acid exerts a negative effect on bladder cancer growth and shift to a more differentiated state. TSP1 expression has been noted to be lower in bladder cancer specimens and it is a potent anti angiogenic mediator.
Other work suggests that valproate acid is an inhibitor of angiogenesis through direct effects on endothelial cells. A connection between HDAC inhib ition and TSP1 expression has not been reported. Our in vitro work suggests that valproate acid may modify angio genesis in cancer by its action on TSP1 expression. The exophytic growth of bladder tumors is dependent on angiogenic support, inhibition of angiogenesis could slow growth and possibly kill bladder tumors. Valproate is a drug with a long clinical history for the treatment of seizures. The toxicity profile for valproate is acceptable for its possible use in chemoprevention of bladder cancer. The recommended therapeutic level of valproic acid for the treatment of seizures is generally accepted to be between 50 125 ug mL in humans.
At the high end this serum level is 0. 75 mM. A recent study looked at valproic acid induced proliferative changes in ovarian cancer cells Cytotoxic effects of valproic acid were noted above 2. 5 mM which AV-951 is consist ent with our findings. Changes in RNA expression do not necessarily lead to changes in protein levels and we did not assess TSP1 protein levels in this in vitro study.