Objective    To study the effect of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Bifidobacterium on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and invasion and metastasis of colon carcinoma cell lines.     Methods    The effects of LTA on adhesion

invasion and metastasis of human colon carcinoma lines LoVo and HT-29 in vitro were examined by MTT colorimetric and transwell chamber. The mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF in the two colon carcinoma cells treated with LTA were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.     Results    The adhesion ability decreased in LoVo cells and HT-29 cells after the treatment of LTA (20

50

80 μg/ml) for 30

60

90

120 min (P0.01); The invasion ability as well as VEGF mRNA and protein expressions decreased after 50 μg/ml LTA treatment in the two carcinoma cells (P0.01).     Conclusion    LTA of Bifidobacterium can inhibit the ability of adhersion

invasion and metastasis of colon carcinoma cell lines and down-regulate the expressions of VEGF.