Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) on the invasiveness of human glioma
SF767 cell line in vitro and explore the possible molecular mechanism. Methods Human glioma SF767 cell line treated with
TGF-β1 for 12, 24, or 48 h were examined for the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition- and ERK/MAPK
pathway-associated proteins using Western blotting. MTT assay and Transwell assay were employed to assess the changes in
the cell proliferation and invasiveness after TGF-β1 treatment, respectively. Results Western blotting showed that TGF-β1
treatment up-regulated the expressions of vimentin, MMP-2, P-ERK, and Zeb-1 and down-regulated E-cadherin expression in
SF767 cells. TGF-β1 treatment of the cells resulted in significantly shortened doubling time of cells and obviously increased cell
invasiveness. Conclusions TGF-β1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of SF767 cell line to increase its invasiveness
possibly via ERK/MAPK pathway.