Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced calreticulin translocation to cell surface promotes hepatocellular cancer cells migration and invasion

Abstract

Objective To explore the role of calreticulin (CRT) on endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced migration and invasion of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods Endoplasmic reticulum stress was established in SMMC-7721 and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells using ER stress inducer tunicamycin. Expressions of binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP), CRT, MMP-9 were examined by Western blot. The ability of migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by wound healing assay and transwell assay respectively. Using small interfering RNA and tunicamycin to observe its effect on the expression of MMP-9, migration and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Results The expressions of BIP, CRT on the membrane, MMP-9, the wound healing rate and the numbers of invasion dramatically increased after tunicamycin incubation (P<0.05). Data showed that expressions of MMP-9 and the wound healing rate and the numbers of invasion dramatically decreased after treatment with small interfering RNA (CRT) and tunicamycin(P<0.05). Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced calreticulin translocation to cell surface promotes hepatocellular cancer cells migration and invasion. Key words: Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Endoplasmic reticulum stress; Calreticulin