Propofol upregulates ANGPTL4 gene and protein expression to inhibit biological behavior of colon cancer cells

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Ben

Propofol, a widely used intravenous anesthetic, is investigated for its antitumor potential in colon cancer by examining whether it modulates ANGPTL4. In a murine intraperitoneal colon cancer model, propofol suppresses tumor growth and decreases tumor mass. In vitro assays show dose-dependent inhibition of colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. RNA sequencing and Western blot confirm ANGPTL4 upregulation at both gene and protein levels. ANGPTL4 knockdown reduces the antitumor effects, supporting an ANGPTL4-dependent mechanism.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

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Materials and methods

Experimental animals

Construction of CT26. WT Luc2 stable cell lines

In vivo fluorescence imaging experiment

[www. nature.com/scientificreports](www. nature.com/scientificreports) OPEN Propofol upregulatesANGPTL4 gene and protein expression to inhibit biological behavior of colon cancer cells Jia Yang1,4, Jie Gao1,4, Lu Yang1,2, Fuyu Li1,3, Liqun Mo1,3􀀍 & Yiping Bai1,3􀀍 Propofol, a clinically prevalent intravenous anesthetic, has garnered significant research interest in recent years due to its potential antitumor properties. This study examines whether propofol influences colon cancer cell behavior through modulation of ANGPTL4 . In a murine intraperitoneal colon cancer model, propofol administration significantly suppressed tumor growth and reduced tumor mass. In vitro experiments demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion following propofol treatment. RNA sequencing revealed substantial upregulation of ANGPTL4 gene expression, while Western blot confirmed parallel upregulation of ANGPTL4 protein expression. Crucially, ANGPTL4 knockdown markedly attenuated propofol’s antitumor effects, indicating ANGPTL4-dependent mechanisms. Our results show that propofol suppresses colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through upregulation of both ANGPTL4 gene and protein expression, thereby identifying a novel potential therapeutic target for colon cancer treatment. Keywords Colon cancer, Propofol, ANGPTL4, Tumor suppression, Regulation of cell behavior Colon cancer is a common malignant tumor, with high incidence and mortality rates globally. Although there are various treatment methods available, the recurrence and metastasis of colon cancer remain the main factors affecting the quality of life of patients1–3. In recent years, studies have shown that anesthetic agents not only act transiently during surgery but may also have profound long-term effects on the prognosis of cancer patients4–6. To further explore the broader role of anesthetic agents in cancer treatment, particularly their impact on the biological behavior of tumor cells, this study selected propofol, a commonly used intravenous general anesthetic for in-depth research. Accumulating evidence indicates that the secreted glycoprotein ANGPTL4 plays a critical role in the progression of colon cancer. Dysregulation of ANGPTL4 expression is commonly observed in colon cancer and is closely associated with clinical outcomes. Zhang et al. demonstrated that DNA methylation-mediated downregulation of ANGPTL4 promotes colon cancer metastasis by activating the ERK signaling pathway7. A clinical study further revealed that plasma levels of ANGPTL4 in colon cancer patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls and continued to decrease within one month after surgery8. In addition, ANGPTL4 may mediate certain tumor-suppressive functions of HIF-2α in colon cancer cells9. Other studies have also highlighted the involvement of key molecules such as MMP9 and AEG-1 in colorectal cancer progression10, 11, and have suggested distinct molecular features in subtypes such as mucinous adenocarcinoma12. Collectively, these findings establish ANGPTL4 as a central regulator in the pathogenesis and metastasis of colon cancer. Our preliminary data indicate that ANGPTL4 may be functionally involved in propofol’s actions on colon cancer cells, influencing their proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether propofol modulates the malignant behavior of colon cancer cells by regulating ANGPTL4, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. Our work seeks to provide new insights into propofol’santi-tumor effects and to identify novel potential targets for colon cancer therapy. 1Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping street, Luzhou 646000, China. 2Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China. 3Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laborator

FAQs

What is the main research question of this study?

Whether propofol influences colon cancer cell behavior by modulating ANGPTL4, and which mechanism underlies its potential antitumor effects.

How does propofol affect tumor growth and tumor mass in the animal model?

Propofol significantly suppresses tumor growth and reduces tumor mass in the murine intraperitoneal colon cancer model.

What evidence supports an ANGPTL4-dependent mechanism?

Propofol upregulates ANGPTL4 gene and protein expression, and ANGPTL4 knockdown markedly attenuates propofol’s antitumor effects.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Ben