Objective   To determine the effects of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) on the invasion and migration of glioma U251 cells.

  Methods   U251 GBM cells were transfected using VHL expression plasmid. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect VHL mRNA expression after transfection. Western blot assay was used to measure protein (VHL, MMP-2, and MMP-9) expression. Tumor invasion and migration were examined by the Transwell and wound-healing experimental methods after VHL up-regulation. The intracranial model of nude mouse was developed using U251 cells transfected by VHL expression plasmid, and immunohistochemical staining was used to measure protein (VHL, MMP-2, and MMP-9) expression in the tissue sections.

  Results   In the U251 cells transfected by VHL expression plasmid, the expression of VHL mRNA and VHL proteins increased, and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein decreased. Meanwhile, the invasion and migration of glioma U251 cells were also inhibited. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins decreased, and the VHL protein expression increased after transfection.

  Conclusion   VHL can inhibit the invasion and migration of glioma U251 cells. Thus, VHL gene can be used as a target for the gene therapy of gliomas.