Effect of PAK4-LIMK1-cofilin signaling on non-small-cell lung cancer migration and invasion

AIM: To explore the mechanism of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) migration and invasion.METHODS: After A549 and NCI-H520 cell lines were transfected with PAK4-siRNA or negative control, the expression of PAK4 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The invasion and migration of A549 cells and NCI-H520 cells were measured by Matrigel invasion assay and Transwell migration assay. LIMK1, cofilin, and their respective phosphorylation were examined by Western blot. The interaction of PAK4 and LIMK1 was investigated by co-immunoprecipitation assay. The relationship between PAK4 and LIMK1 phosphorylation was examined by a protein kinase assay in the A549 cells and NCI-H520 cells. The expression of PAK4 and p-LIMK1 in 10 human NSCLC tissues was examined by Western blot. A549 cells and NCI-H520 cells were individually or commonly transfected with PAK4-siRNA or LIMK1 plasmid in order to observe the cell migration and invasion. RESULTS: After A549 cells and NCI-H520 cells were transfected with PAK4-siRNA for 48 h, the expression of PAK4 at mRNA and protein levels, and the numbers of invasion and migration cells in PAK4-siRNA group were lower than those in control group. Compared with control group, the phosphorylation of LIMK1 and cofilin was lower in PAK4-siRNA group, whereas the total expression levels of LIMK1 and cofilin did not change. The results of co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that PAK4 specifically interacted with LIMK1 in A549 and NCI-H520 cells. LIMK1 phosphorylation in the presence of PAK4 (K350M) was significantly lower than that in the presence of PAK4 (WT) or PAK4 (S445N) in the protein kinase assay. The PAK4 upregulation was positively correlated with the level of p-LIMK1 (P<0.05). After A549 cells and NCI-H520 cells were co-transfected with PAK4-siRNA and LIMK1 plasmid, the migration and invasion cell numbers in co-transfection group were higher than those in PAK4-siRNA transfection group. CONCLUSION: PAK4 promotes the invasive and migratory abilities of NSCLC, which is mediated by LIMK1 phosphorylation.     

Effect of DEC1 gene silencing on viability,invasion and migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells under hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the effect of differentiated embryonic chondrocyte gene 1 (DEC1) expression silencing on viability, invasion and migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and its possible mechanism under hypoxia. METHODS: The expression of DEC1 was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells under normoxia and hypoxia. MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with the siRNA targeting DEC1 and the protein levels of DEC1, Smad3 and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) were examined under hypoxia. Subsequently, the changes in the viability, invasion and migration abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells were analyzed by CCK-8 assay, Transwell experiment and Scratch test, respectively. RESULTS: The expression of DEC1 in MDA-MB-231 cells under hypoxia was higher than that in the MDA-MB-231 cells under normoxia condition at both mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). The viability, invasion and migration abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells in siRNA-DEC1 group were decreased significantly as compared with control group (P<0.01). Besides, the protein level of p-Smad3 in the MDA-MB-231 cells in siRNA-DEC1 group was lower than that in negative control group under hypoxia condition (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Down-regulated DEC1 expression significantly decreases the viability, invasion and migration abilities of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by blocking the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway under hypoxia condition.     

Effects of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 and 9 on proliferation,apoptosis and migration of human gastric carcinoma MNK-45 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and BMP9 on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human gastric carcinoma cell line MNK-45. METHODS: Immunocytochemical staining, MTT assay, wound-healing test, Transwells migration test, Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to determine the infection of AdBMP2 and AdBMP9 on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of MNK-45 cells. The expression of GSK-3β (including p-GSK-3β and total GSK-3β) and β-catenin in MNK-45 cells was also detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The proliferation of MNK-45 cells was inhibited from the third day on and in a time-dependent manner after infected with AdBMP2 and AdBMP9. The results of Hoechst 33258 staining and FCM proved that apoptosis rates in BMP2 group and BMP9 group were higher than that in GFP group. Both wound-healing test and Transwell experiment indicated that up-regulating the expression of BMP2 and BMP9 inhibited the migration of MNK-45 cells. The phosphorylation levels of GSK-3β in BMP2 group and BMP9 group were higher than that in GFP group. However, no significant change of β-catenin among groups was observed. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of BMP2 and BMP9 expression inhibits the proliferation of MNK-45 cells.     

Effects of SM22α on migration and invasion abilities of colorectal cancer cells

AIM:To explore the effects of smooth muscle 22α protein (SM22α) on the migration and invasion abilities of colorectal cancer cells, and to investigate its molecular mechanism. METHODS:The SM22α-over-expressing cells were constructed by lentivirus transfection. The cell migration ability was detected by wound healing assay. The changes of cell migration and invasion abilities were measured by Transwell assay. RT-qPCR was used to detect the changes of SM22α mRNA level. The protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p-ERK, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and SM22α were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:HCT116 cells with SM22α over-expression were constructed successfully. SM22α inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of colorectal cancer cells. SM22α over-expression decreased the protein levels of p-ERK and MMP-9 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:SM22α inhibits the migration and invasion abilities of colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting ERK/MMP-9 signaling pathways.     

PGRN gene silencing on proliferation and migration abilities of human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated progranulin (PGRN) gene silencing on the proliferation and migration abilities of human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of PGRN in the A549 cells and human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells were detected by qPCR and Western blot. A549 cells were transfected with PGRN-siRNA by liposome method. The expression of PGRN at mRNA and protein levels in the A549 cells transfected with PGRN-siRNA was detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The cell proliferation ability was measured by living cells counting and crystal violet staining assays. The cell migration ability was measured by wound-healing and Transwell assays. The protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. The protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) were also determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of PGRN at mRNA and protein levels was higher in the A549 cells than that in the HBE cells (P<0.05). The expression of PGRN at mRNA and protein levels in the A549 cells transfected with PGRN-siRNA was significantly decreased, and the cell proliferation and migration abilities were significantly decreased. The protein expression levels of PCNA, cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 were significantly reduced and the protein expression level of Bax was significantly increased (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the protein levels of p-ERK1/2 and p-Akt were down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PGRN gene silencing obviously inhibits the proliferation and migration abilities of human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells. The PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways may play an important role in these processes.     

Toll-like receptor 4 promotes migration and invasion abilities of human non-small-cell lung cancer cells

AIM:To evaluate the expression and biological role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. METHODS:The mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 in NSCLC tissue were exa-mined by RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. After treating the A549 cells and SPC-A-1 cells with TLR4 stimulator lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibitor TAK-242, RT-qPCR, Western blot and flow cytometry were performed to detect the expression of TLR4. The migration and invasion abilities were detected by Transwell assay, and the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was also detected. RESULTS:The mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 were higher in the NSCLC tissue than those in the noncancerous tissue (P<0.01). LPS stimulation significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4 in the NSCLC cell lines A549 and SPC-A-1 (P<0.01). The LPS-induced TLR4 activation enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of A549 cells and SPC-A-1 cells (P<0.01). LPS increased the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in the A549 cells and SPC-A-1 cells (P<0.01). Moreover, the expression levels of TLR4, MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF, as well as the migration and invasion abilities of the cells were blocked by TAK-242 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:TLR4 might be involved in the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, and TLR4 inhibition might be considered as a therapeutic target for treatment of NSCLC.     

Role of BMP-7/Smads pathway in regulation of EndoMT in rats with HHPH

AIM: To investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7)/Smads pathway in the re-gulation of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in rats with hypoxia-hypercapnia pulmonary hypertension (HHPH). METHODS: The rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells (RPAECs) were divided into normoxic control (Con) group, hypoxia-hypercapnia (HH) group, BMP receptor agonist rhBMP-7 group, BMP receptor inhibitor DMH-1 group and solvent DMSO group. After given the corresponding drugs in each group, the cells in Con group were cultured in a normal-oxygen incubator, and the cells in the remaining 4 groups were cultured in a low-oxygen and high-carbon-dioxide incubator. The expression levels of CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were observed by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA, CD31 and Smad1/5/8 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The cell migration ability was detected by Transwell chamber assay. RESULTS: Compared with Con group, the expression of α-SMA at mRNA and protein levels in HH group was increased, the expression levels of CD31 mRNA and protein, Smad1/5/8 mRNA and p-Smad1/5/8 protein were decreased, the cell viability was decreased and the number of migratory cells was increased (P<0.05). Compared with HH group, the expression of α-SMA at mRNA and protein levels in rhBMP-7 group was decreased, the expression levels of CD31 mRNA and protein, Smad1/5/8 mRNA and p-Smad1/5/8 protein were increased, the cell viability was increased and the number of migratory cells was reduced (P<0.05). Compared with rhBMP-7 group, the expression of α-SMA at mRNA and protein in DMH-1 group was increased, the expression levels of CD31 mRNA and protein, Smad1/5/8 mRNA and p-Smad1/5/8 protein were decreased, the cell viability was decreased and the number of migratory cells was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypoxia-hypercapnia conditions promote EndoMT in RPAECs, which promotes the development of hypoxia-hypercapnia pulmonary hypertension, and the underling mechanism may be related to the inhibition of BMP-7/Smads pathway.     

Effects of TREM-2 silencing on migration and invasion abilities of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

AIM: To investigate the effects of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM-2) silencing on migration and invasion abilities of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS). METHODS: Small interference RNA (siRNA) specifically targeting TREM-2 gene was transfected into RA-FLS. The interference efficiency of TREM-2 siRNA on the production of TREM-2 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The cell activity was assessed by CCK-8 assay. The migration and invasion abilities of RA-FLS were determined by Transwell assay. The releases of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in RA-FLS were analyzed by ELISA. The influence of TREM-2 on PI3K/AKT signal pathway was measured by Western blot. RESULTS: TREM-2 siRNA significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of TREM-2. No difference of cell activity between TREM-2 siRNA group and control group was observed. Transwell migration assay showed that RA-FLS through the Transwell membrane in TREM-2 siRNA group were more than the blank control group and the NC-siRNA group. In Transwell invasion assay, RA-FLS through the Transwell membrane in TREM-2 siRNA group were more than the blank control group and the NC-siRNA group. After transfected with TREM-2 siRNA, the MMP-2 secretion and phosphorylation of AKT increased significantly, while the MMP-9 secretion was not changed. CONCLUSION: TREM-2 may play an important role in the migration and invasion of RA-FLS through regulating the activation of PI3K/AKT signal pathway.     

Effect of formononetin on viability,migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells in vitro

AIM To observe the effect of formononetin on the viability, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, and to explore its mechanism. METHODS Human ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma SKOV-3 cells were cultured in vitro. The cells were treated with formononetin at 0, 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L for 48 h. The cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The migration and invasion abilities of the SKOV-3 cells were detected by scratch wound assay and Transwell assay. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). RESULTS The viability of SKOV-3 cells was decreased with the increase in the formononetin concentration compared with control group (P<0.01). The wound migration distance of the cells in 50 μmol/L formononetin group was less than that in control group (P<0.01). The number of invasive SKOV-3 cells across the Transwell sub-compartment was significantly decreased in 50 μmol/L formononetin group compared with control group (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin in 50 μmol/L formononetin group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-9 in 50 μmol/L formononetin group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Formononetin inhibits the migration and invasion abilities of ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells by increasing expression of E-cadherin and decreasing expression of MMP-9.     

Effects of p21-activated kinase 6 on invasion and migration of human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells

AIM：To investigate the effects of p21-activated kinase 6 (PAK6) on the invasive and migratory abilities of human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS：The expression of PAK6 mRNA in A549 cells, human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, non-small-cell lung cancer tissues and paired adjacent non-tumor tissues was measured by real-time PCR. After A549 cells were transfected with siRNA-PAK6 (siPAK6) or negative control (NC) for 48 h, the expression of PAK6 at mRNA and protein levels was measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The invasion and migration of A549 cells were detected by Matrigel invasion assay and Transwell migration assay. The cytoskeletal changes were observed with FITC-phalloidin staining under confocal microscope. RESULTS：The level of PAK6 mRNA in A549 cells was higher than that in HBE cells (3.50±1.16 vs 1.12±0.42, P<0.05). The level of PAK6 mRNA in non-small-cell lung cancer tissues was higher than that in paired adjacent non-tumor tissues (5.13±1.33 vs 1.08±0.37, P<0.05). The expression of PAK6 protein decreased by 72% in A549 cells transfected with siPAK6 (P<0.05), and the level of PAK6 mRNA significantly decreased in A549 cells transfected with siPAK6 (3.72±0.75 vs 0.69±0.21, P<0.05). Matrigel invasion assay and Transwell migration assay demonstrated that knockdown of PAK6 markedly attenuated the invasion and migration of A549 cells (P<0.05). The cytoskeletal actin remodeling and reduction of stress fibers in A549 cells transfected with siPAK6 were observed under confocal microscope. CONCLUSION：PAK6 may affect the invasive and migratory abilities of non-small-cell lung cancer cells by cytoskeletal actin remodeling.     

Effect of hirsutine on hypoxia-induced migration and invasion abilities in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of hirsutine on hypoxia-induced migration and invasion abilities of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS: CCK-8 assay was employed to detect the cytotoxic effect of hirsutine on the MCF-7 cells. Cell migration was observed by wound healing assay, and cell invasion ability was measured by Transwell invasion assay. Western blot was used to analyze the protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), Snail, E-cadherin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The mRNA levels of HIF-1α was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Hirsutine remarkably reduced the cell viability from 32 μmol/L (P<0.05), and the IC₅₀ value was 62.82 μmol/L. In hypoxia state, MCF-7 cells showed more powerful capabilities of migration and invasion (P<0.05), higher protein levels of HIF-1α, Snail and MMP-9 (P<0.05), lower protein level of E-cadherin (P<0.05), and higher mRNA level of HIF-1α (P<0.05). These hypoxia-induced effects were all inhibited by hirsutine at 16 μmol/L (P<0.05), apart from the mRNA level of HIF-1α. CONCLUSION: Hirsutine inhibits hypoxia-induced migration and invasion in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells most likely via down-regulation of the protein levels of HIF-1α, Snail and MMP-9, and up-regulation of the protein level of E-cadherin.     

Effect of HMGB1 expression knockdown on invasion ability of breast cancer cells induced by TNF-α

AIM:To investigate the effect of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) expression knockdown on the invasion ability of breast cancer cells induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). METHODS:HMGB1 siRNA was used to transfect into the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of HMGB1 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. After the MDA-MB-231 cells with HMGB1 expression knockdown were treated with TNF-α, the apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry, the cell invasion ability was measured by Transwell assay, and the cell migration ability was detected by cell scratch test. The protein expression of E-cadherin, MMP-2, N-cadherin, MMP-9 and Bax was determined by Western blot. RESULTS:The expression of HMGB1 at mRNA and protein levels in the MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with HMGB1 siRNA was significantly lower than that in the non-transfected cells (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the cells was increased after TNF-α treatment, and the cell invasion and migration abilities were also increased. The protein level of E-cadherin in the cells was decreased, the protein level of N-cadherin was increased, and the protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Bax were also increased (P<0.05). After the MDA-MB-231 cells with HMGB1 expression knockdown were induced by TNF-α, the apoptotic rate was increased, the invasion and migration abilities were decreased, the protein levels of E-cadherin and Bax were increased, and the protein levels of N-cadherin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased, as compared with the cells only induced by TNF-α without knockdown of HMGB1 expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Knockdown of HMGB1 expression enhances the apoptosis of breast cancer cells induced by TNF-α, and inhibited the cell invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by TNF-α. The mechanism may be related with the changes of protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Bax.     

miR-137 regulates invasion,migration and apoptosis of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells through TWIST1

AIM: To investigate the effect and its molecular mechanism of microRNA-137(miR-137) on the invasion, migration abilities and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. METHODS: miR-137 mimimics were transfected into the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of miR-137 was detected by RT-qPCR. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell assays. The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), cleaved caspase-3 (C-caspase-3) and Bax were determined by Western blot. Bioinformatics software was used to predict that TWIST1 might be the target gene of miR-137 and then it was conformed by luciferase reporter gene identification. The effect of miR-137 mimics on TWIST1 protein expression was evaluated by Western blot. TWIST1 over-expression vector and miR-137 mimics were co-transfected into the MDA-MB-231 cells, and then the apoptosis, invasion, migration abilities and the protein levels of MMP-9, C-caspase-3 and Bax were determined. RESULTS: In the miR-137 mimics transfected MDA-MB-231 cells, the expression level of miR-137 and the apoptosis rate were increased, the cell invasion and migration abilities were decreased, the protein levels of C-caspase-3 and Bax were increased, the protein expression of MMP-9 was decreased (P<0.05). In addition, the target regulation of TWIST1 by miR-137 was identified by luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, the expression of TWIST1 in the MDA-MB-231 cells was inhibited by miR-137 mimics. Compared with the MDA-MB-231 cells co-transfected with negative control vector and miR-137 mimics, the protein expression levels of TWIST1 and MMP-9 in the MDA-MB-231 cells co-transfected with TWIST1 over-expression vector and miR-137 mimics were increased, the protein levels of C-caspase-3 and Bax and the apoptosis rate were decreased, the cell invasion and migration abilities were increased. CONCLUSION: miR-137 inhibits the invasion, migration abilities and induces apoptosis of breast cancer cells through targeting TWIST1.     

Effects of marrow stromal cell-mediated microenvironment on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721

AIM: To investigate the effects of marrow stromal HS-5 cells on hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in the tumor microenvironment. METHODS: The effects of HS-5 cell-conditioned medium (HS-5-CM) on the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of SMMC-7721 cells were detected by MTT, wound-healing and Transwell assays. After co-culture of SMMC-7721 cells with HS-5 cells in the Transwell chamber, the expression of chemokine CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 at mRNA and protein levels in SMMC-7721 cells was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), ELISA or Western blotting. Akt and p-Akt473 protein levels in SMMC-7721 cells treated with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 were observed by Western blotting. RESULTS: HS-5-CM promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of SMMC-7721 cells. The expression of CCL5 and CCR5 at mRNA and protein levels in SMMC-7721 cells was increased after co-cultured with HS-5 cells. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 inhibited the activation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the secretion of CCL5 in SMMC-7721 cells after co-cultured with HS-5 cells. CONCLUSION: HS-5 cells significantly promote the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of SMMC-7721 cells. Co-culture of SMMC-7721 cells with HS-5 cells activates PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to increase the secretion of CCL5 in SMMC-7721 cells.     

Kaempferol inhibits cell proliferation,invasion and migration via Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HBx-HepG2 cells

AIM: To explore the effects of kaempferol on the proliferation, invasion and migration abilities of HBx-HepG2 cells and to examine the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The expression levels of related genes at mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The cell apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The cell proliferation, growth, invasion and migration abilities were measured by MTT assay, colony formation assay, Transwell invasion assay and wound healing assay, respectively. RESULTS: Kaemferol inhibited HBx-HepG2 cell proliferation in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Kaempferol at 100 μmol/L significantly inhibited the colony formation, invasion and migration abilities of the HBx-HepG2 cells. Kaemferol at 100 μmol/L also increased cell apoptotic rate, increased the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and Bax, and decreased the expression level of Bcl-2. In addition, kaemferol at 100 μmol/L suppressed the mRNA and protein expression levels of β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 in the HBx-HepG2 cells. Kaemferol at 100 μmol/L also suppressed the protein level of p-GSK-3β and the β-catenin protein levels in both cytoplasm and nucleus. LiCl treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on the growth, invasion and migration of the HBx-HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: Kaempferol inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and migration via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HBx-HepG2 cells.     

Effects of TRPC1 on TGF-β1-induced migration of human bronchial epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the role of canonical transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1) in the migration of human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). METHODS: Silencing of TRPC1 gene expression was performed by siRNA. The cell activity and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The migration and invasion abilities of the 16HBE cells were detected by wound- healing assay and Transwell assay. The protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: TGF-β1 treatment significantly enhanced the cell migration distance compared with control groups (P < 0.01). The results of CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry indicated that there were no significant difference in proliferation and apoptosis among TRPC1 siRNA group, TGF-β1 group and control group (P > 0.05). The results of wound-healing and Transwell assays showed that migration and invasion abilities in TRPC1 siRNA + TGF-β1 group were markedly suppressed compared with TGF-β1 group (P < 0.01). The protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin induced by TGF-β1 was inhibited by TRPC1 silencing compared with TGF-β1 group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TRPC1 is involved in the migration of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by TGF-β1 through regulating the protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin.     

Preliminary exploration for effect of EphA2 on drug resistance of colorectal carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of Eph receptor A2 (EphA2) on drug resistance of colorectal carcinoma cells and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of EphA2 at mRNA and protein levels in LoVo and LoVo/5-FU cells. EphA2 siRNA was transfected to down-regulate the EphA2 expression in LoVo/5-FU cells, and the drug sensitivity was calculated by CCK-8 assay. Meanwhile, cell migration and invasion were measured by wound healing assay and Transwell assay, and the protein levels of E-cadherin, β-catenin, N-cadherin, vimentin, Notch and Snail were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of EphA2 at both mRNA and protein levels was significantly up-regulated in LoVo/5-FU cells (P<0.05). Knockdown of EphA2 suppressed the cell viability, and migration and invasion abilities, but promoted drug sensitivity of LoVo/5-FU cells. Up-regulation of E-cadherin and β-catenin, and down-regulation of N-cadherin and vimentin were observed, indicating that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was suppressed. Knockdown of EphA2 decreased the expression levels of Notch and Snail. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of EphA2 partly reverses drug resistance of LoVo/5-FU cells. The mechanism may be related to suppressing cell growth, migration, invasion and EMT process via Notch/Snail signaling pathway.     

Mechanism of microRNA-138-5p inhibiting proliferation,migration and invasion of lung cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of microRNA-138-5p (miR-138-5p) inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of lung cancer cells.METHODS: The lung cancer A549 and H460 cells were transfected with miR-NC (control group) or miR-138-5p (experimental group). The bioinformatic analysis was performed to predict the target genes of miR-138-5p.The expression levels of miR-138-5p, forkhead box protein C1 (FOXC1) mRNA and vimentin mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of FOXC1, vimentin, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and β-catenin was determined by Western blot. MTS method and colony formation assay were used to detect cell viability and proliferation ability. Wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to detect cell migration and invasion ability.RESULTS: Over-expression of miR-138-5p significantly reduced the expression of FOXC1 and vimentin at mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). The expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin were up-regulated and the expression of N-cadherin was down-regulated. The proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of the lung cancer cells were inhibited by the over-expression of miR-138-5p.CONCLUSION: miR-138-5p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of lung cancer cells by targeting FOXC1 and vimentin. It may be a potential target for lung cancer gene therapy.     

High mobility group box 1 protein promotes proliferation,migration and invasion of colon cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the expression of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in colon can-cer cells, and to determine its regulatory roles in colon cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. METHODS: qPCR and Western blot were used to quantify the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1 in human colon cancer SW620 cells and normal colonic epithelial FHC cells. HMGB1 shRNA was transfected into the SW620 cells to establish the stable HMGB1-downregulating colon cancer cells (shHMGB1 group), and negative control (shNC) group and blank control (blank) group were also set up. The proliferation, migration and invasion of the cells were determined by CCK-8 assay, colony formation experiment and Transwell chamber assays. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of p-ERK, ERK, c-Myc, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS: Both of the mRNA and protein levels of HMGB1 in colon cancer cells were higher than those in the normal colonic epithelial cells (P<0.05). HMGB1 gene was successfully knocked down in SW620 cells. Compared with blank group and shNC group, the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of the cells in shHMGB1 group were significantly inhibited (P<0.05). The protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, N-cadherin, c-Myc, Bcl-2 and p-ERK were reduced notably, while the expression of Bax protein was increased (P<0.05) in shHMGB1 group compared with shNC group and blank group.CONCLUSION: HMGB1 effectively promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells through ERK/c-Myc signaling pathway.