Abstract
MiR-206 is low expression in lung cancers and associated with cancer metastasis. However, the roles of miR-206 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in lung cancer remain unknown. In this study, we find that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces EMT, invasion and migration in A549 and 95D lung cancer cells, and these processes could be markedly inhibited by miR-206 overexpression. Moreover, we demonstrate that miR-206 directly targets c-Met and inhibits its downstream PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In contrast, miR-206 inhibitors promote the expression of c-Met and activate the PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling, and this effect could be attenuated by the PI3K inhibitor. Moreover, c-Met overexpression assay further confirms the significant inhibitory effect of miR-206 on HGF-induced EMT, cell migration and invasion. Notably, we also find that miR-206 effectively inhibits HGF-induced tube formation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and the mechanism is also related to inhibition of PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling. Finally, we reveal the inhibitory effect of miR-206 on EMT and angiogenesis in xenograft tumor mice model. Taken together, miR-206 inhibits HGF-induced EMT and angiogenesis in lung cancer by suppressing c-Met/PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling. Therefore, miR-206 might be a potential target for the therapeutic strategy against EMT and angiogenesis of lung cancer.
Highlights
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths, has the most rapidly increasing incidence rate worldwide [1]
MiR-206 was expressed at significantly lower levels in 95D cells than in 95C cells, suggested that miR-206 might be involved in the lung cancer metastasis
We revealed that enhanced expression of miR-206 could reverse hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in lung cancer through inhibiting c-Met/ Akt/mTOR pathway
Summary
The leading cause of cancer deaths, has the most rapidly increasing incidence rate worldwide [1]. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a vital process in the conversion of early-stage tumors into invasive malignancies. Cancer cells with EMT phenotype change often involve in epithelial characteristics loss and mesenchymal properties acquisition, exhibiting enhanced motility and invasive www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget abilities [4]. Nutrients and oxygen become depleted within the core which induces the production of angiogenic growth factors [5]. These growth factors bind to receptors on nearby quiescent endothelial cells (EC) in pre-existing capillaries, leads to their activation, proliferation and formation of new vessels [6]
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