Effects of Glucose Deprivation on The Biological Phenotypes of Human Malignant Mesothelial Cells

Abstract

Microenvironment is important in the maintenance of biological phenotypes such as survival, proliferation, and migration capacity in cancer cells. Decreased concentration of glucose is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment and has been reported to play a critical role in the acquirement of malignancy.Cancer cell metabolism is shifted toward glycolysis by the increased expression of glycolytic enzymes, glucose transporters, and inhibitors of mitochondrial metabolism. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of glucose‐free on the phenotypes of human malignant mesothelioma (HMM) cells. Glucose free media decreased the cell survival and proliferation of HMM cells. The mobility and invasion capacities were significantly decreased by glucose deprivation. These characteristics of cancer cells were resulted from the promotion of apoptosis. Gene expression level of ABCG2, an efflux transporter of cytotoxic drugs, was increased in glucose free media compared to normal media. The results suggest that deprivation of glucose from cancer cells affect their biological phenotypes due to lack of energy and increase multidrug resistance.