SAHA modulates cell proliferation, colony forming and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in CCA cells

Abstract

Abstract Background Therapeutic options for advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are limited and ineffective due to the largely incomplete understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this deadly tumor. So that, we planned to investigate epigenetic regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cholangiocarcinoma cell line by applying Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). We studied the effect of SAHA on cell proliferation, colony forming, migration and protein level of E-cadherin (E-cad) as an epithelial EMT marker, N-cadherin (N-cad) and Vimentin (Vim), as a mesenchymal markers of EMT, in human CCA cell line. Materials and methods Cell proliferation and migration measurements were performed by flow cytometry and wound healing assay, respectively. E-cad, N-cad and Vim protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis. Results It was found that SAHA significantly inhibits cell viability, proliferation and migration of TFK-1 cells, accompanied by reversing of EMT markers. SAHA, upregulated protein level of E-cad, while downregulated the protein levels of N-cad and Vimentin. Conclusions SAHA treatment may bebeneficial for CCA patients and SAHA might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of CCA. However, future studies are needed to evaluate the clinical applicability of SAHA as a part of the chemotherapeutic regimen for CCA.