Migration Of A549 Cells Research Articles

Cyproheptadine inhibits in vitro and in vivo lung metastasis and drives metabolic rewiring

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 81% of lung cancer cases, among which over 47% presented with distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Despite the introduction of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, enhancing the survival rate and overcoming the development of resistance remain a big challenge. Thus, it is crucial to find potential new therapeutics and targets that can mitigate lung metastasis and investigate its effects on biomarkers, such as cellular metabolomics. In the current study, we investigated the role of cyproheptadine (CPH), an FDA-approved anti-histamine drug in lung metastasis in vitro and in vivo.Methods and resultsCPH showed potent cytotoxicity on different lung cancer cell lines in vitro. Moreover, CPH decreased invasion and migration of LLC1 and A549 cells in Matrigel invasion transwell and plate scratch assays. The in vivo LLC1 syngeneic lung cancer model found decreased number of metastatic nodules on the surface of lungs of Setd7 KO mice compared to SETD7 WT. CPH treatment resulted in decreased growth of LLC1 subcutaneous tumors compared to untreated SETD7 WT. Finally, metabolomic study of tumor tissues showed rewiring of metabolomic pathways and downregulation of amino acids, such as arginine, serine, and glycine) in Setd7 KO and WT treated with CPH compared to untreated Setd7 WT mice.ConclusionThese findings identify CPH as a potential therapeutic agent to block metastasis in advanced NSCLC and suggest SETD7 as a potential target for the prevention of lung metastasis.

A lncRNA Transcriptome Analysis of Phycocyanin-Treated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell Lines

Phycocyanin is a type of marine food additive with multiple biological properties, including anticancer activity, but its underlying antineoplastic mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. To investigate the underlying regulatory mechanism of phycocyanin in NSCLC, a lncRNA microarray analysis was performed using a phycocyanin-treated A549 cell model. The classification and expression of lncRNAs were determined. The profiles of differentially expressed lncRNAs were generated and analyzed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses. The results showed that 193 lncRNAs were upregulated and 116 lncRNAs were downregulated in the phycocyanin-treated group compared with the control group, and qRT‒PCR analysis confirmed the expression of selected lncRNAs. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the differentially expressed lncRNAs and their target genes were enriched in the extracellular region, epithelium development, NOD-like receptor pathway, Notch signaling, and apoptosis process. In addition, coexpression network analysis identified 2,238 lncRNA‒mRNA, lncRNA‒lncRNA, and mRNA‒mRNA pairs. In particular, 72 etc. differentially expressed lncRNA target genes were discovered in the interaction network, which provides insights into the potential mechanism of phycocyanin in A549 cells. Moreover, cell phenotype experiments showed that downregulating the expression of lncRNA ENST00000538717, a lncRNA that is downregulated after phycocyanin treatment, could significantly inhibit the migration and viability of A549 and H460 cells. In conclusion, this study lays a theoretical and potential foundation for NSCLC treatment and advances our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of phycocyanin.

Inhibition of JNK/STAT3/NF-KB pathway-mediated migration and clonal formation of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by daphnetin

ABSTRACT Daphnetin, a coumarin derivative isolated from Daphne odorifera, has anti-tumor effects. The MAPK, STAT3, and NF-κB signaling pathways are closely related to the pathogenesis of lung cancer. To investigate the effect of daphnetin on anti-lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and its mechanism. The anti-tumor effects of daphnetin on the proliferation, clone formation, migration, and invasion of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells were investigated. The results showed that daphnetin inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells through the MAPK/STAT3/NF-KB pathway, and mainly inhibited the clonal formation and migration of A549 cells through the JNK pathway. These results provide a new research direction and theoretical basis for the use of daphnetin in the inhibition of lung adenocarcinoma.

Scutellarein inhibits lung cancer growth by inducing cell apoptosis and inhibiting glutamine metabolic pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceScutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a widely used Chinese medicinal herb, has shown effectiveness against lung cancer. Scutellarein, a key component of Scutellaria baicalensis, also demonstrates anticancer properties in lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been clarified. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the effects of scutellarein in the treatment of NSCLC and its underlying mechanisms. MethodsThis study explored the effects of scutellarein on non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its mechanisms. A Lewis lung cancer mouse model was established to assess scutellarein's anticancer activity in vivo. Additionally, the compound's effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and apoptosis were evaluated in vitro using A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells. Metabolomics analysis was conducted to identify changes in cellular metabolism due to scutellarein, while molecular docking and western blotting techniques were employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of its anti-lung cancer effects. ResultsScutellarein significantly inhibited lung cancer xenograft tumor growth. In vitro studies showed that scutellarein suppressed migration and colony formation in A549 and H1299 cells, induced cell cycle arrest, and triggered cell apoptosis. Notably, scutellarein profoundly altered amino acid metabolism, particularly affecting glutamine metabolites. It affected key glutamine transporters ASCT2 and LAT1, as well as glutaminase GLS1, leading to their reduced expression. ConclusionScutellarein effectively inhibits lung cancer growth both in vivo and in vitro by inducing cell apoptosis and downregulating the glutamine metabolic pathway.

The pro-tumor activity of INTS7 on lung adenocarcinoma via inhibiting immune infiltration and activating p38MAPK pathway

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common lung cancer, accounting for 19.4% of all cancer deaths. Our previous study discovered that INTS7 expression was upregulated in LUAD, while the precise mechanism by which INTS7 exerts pro-cancer effects remains unknown. In our study, shRNA was used to knockdown the expression of INTS7 in A549 cells. Cancer behaviors in vitro were determined by CCK8 and transwell assays. Xenograft mice models were constructed to detect the tumorigenesis in vivo. Immunofluorescence and toluidine blue staining were used to test the immune infiltration. Bioinformatics analysis was adopted to predict the potential signaling pathways and construct INTS7-derived genomic prognostic model. Western blot was utilized to confirm the molecular pathways. In total, downregulation of INTS7 suppressed proliferation, invasion and migration of A549 cells, as well as tumor growth. Bioinformatics and western blot analysis indicated that p38MAPK pathway participated in the regulatory mechanism of INTS7. Moreover, INTS7 expression was negatively correlated with infiltration of memory B cells and mast cells, while positively correlated with infiltration of macrophages M2. A nomogram, including INTS7-derived risk score, was used to estimate individual’s survival probability. Generally, our findings provided comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms about INTS7, and targeting INTS7 may represent a potential therapy for LUAD.

STRAP Knockdown Inhibits Migration and Growth of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis by binding to many target proteins and plays an important regulatory role in tumor development. We studied the effects of STRAP on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vivo and in vitro in order to elucidate possible mechanisms underlying the regulatory effects of this protein. The levels of STRAP in NSCLC tissues and cells were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting. In in vitro experiments, A549 and HCC827 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown STRAP (si-STRAP) or with negative control sequence; cell migration and invasion were detected by scratch and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), caspase-3, and caspase-9 were determined by Western blotting. In addition, we analyzed changes of tumor volume in a nude mouse NSCLC model. STRAP was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cells, but its expression was significantly suppressed in A549 and HCC827 cells transfected with si-STRAP. STRAP knockdown resulted in a significant inhibition of migration and invasion of A549 and HCC827 cells. It also significantly reduced the expression of XIAP and elevated expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9. In nude mice with tumor originated from transplanted A549 cells, inhibition of STRAP expression retarded the tumor growth. Overall, these findings indicate that STRAP is overexpressed in NSCLC, while knockdown of STRAP gene inhibits the growth of NSCLC.

Synergistic Action of Thymol-citral is Associated with Cell Cycle Arrest and Intracellular ROS Generation in A549 Cells

Objective: NSCLC is the predominant form of lung cancer, often exhibiting resistance to chemotherapy. Thymol and citral have shown promise as anticancer agents in different cancer cell lines but have not been evaluated in combination against NSCLC. Hence, we planned to investigate the anticancer effect of thymol-citral combination and explore its mechanisms of action against A549 cells. Methods: A549 cells were exposed to varying concentrations of thymol and citral, alone and in combination. Cell proliferation, plasma membrane integrity, apoptotic markers, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, cell cycle distribution, senescence induction, and migration potential were assessed. Additionally, in vitro safety was evaluated in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) and human red blood cells (RBCs). Results: Thymol and citral showed synergistic action against A549 cells, with a CI value of 0.75. After 24 h, they induced apoptosis, caused G0/G1 phase arrest, and increased ROS levels, suggesting oxidative stress as the mechanism. This combination also induced cell senescence, significantly inhibited A549 cell migration, and was non-toxic to human RBCs and HBECs. Conclusion: Overall, the thymol-citral synergistic combination was found to be a safe and effective therapy option for non-small cell lung cancer.

TRAF4 promotes lung cancer development by activating tyrosine kinase of EGFR

Objective: To explore the role of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) in promoting the abnormal activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its effect on lung cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Methods: Tumor tissues from patients who underwent lung adenocarcinoma resection at The First Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, from January 2015 to May 2017 were collected, and the expressions of TRAF4 and Ki-67 in lung cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, the mRNA levels of Cyclin D and Vimentin were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The effect of TRAF4 on the tumor growth ability of lung cancer A549 cells was investigated by the xenograft model, the effect of TRAF4 or EGFR on the tumor proliferation ability was detected by using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and BrdU assay, and the migration and invasion abilities of tumor cells were detected by Transwell assay. Different structural domain deletion expression vectors of TRAF4 and EGFR were constructed to transfect cells, and the interaction mode of TRAF4 and EGFR was investigated by immunoprecipitation assay. Results: The expression of TRAF4 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues was positively correlated with the expressions of Ki-67, cyclin D, and vimentin (r2: 0.438, 0.695, and 0.736, respectively, all P＜0.01). Immunohistochemical assay of tumor tissues from NSCLC patients showed that tissues with high expression of TRAF4 were also high in Ki-67. Patients with high TRAF4 expression (TRAF4 positivity >30%) had a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) time than that of patients with low TRAF4 expression (TRAF4 positivity ≤30%) (median PFS of 12 and 19 months, respectively; P=0.034). Traf4-/- cells had a weakened proliferative capacity than traf4+/+ cells and formed tumors with smaller size (P＜0.05). The expression level of Ki-67 in the tumor tissues formed by traf4-/- cells [(45.6±8.7)%] was lower than that in the tumor tissues formed by traf4+/+ cells [(62.3±10.3)%, P=0.015], the mRNA levels of cyclin D (1.01±0.15) and vimentin (1.01±0.12) in the traf4-/- cells were lower than those of the traf4+/+ cells (3.41±0.32 and 3.12±0.18, respectively, both P＜0.05).The western blot results showed that, with the elevated intracellular expression level of TRAF4, phosphorylation level of EGFR was significantly increased in both wild-type EGFR and activation mutant EGFR-expression cells. The capacities of proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells was weakened after EGFR knockdown (all P＜0.01). Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that TRAF4 binds to the peptide segment of the near-membrane region of EGFR through the TRAF structural domain, and the mutual binding between EGFR molecules was enhanced under TRAF4 overexpression conditions. Increasing TRAF4 expression promoted EGFR molecular phosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling. Conclusions: TRAF4 expression is elevated in NSCLC tissues and tumor cells, which promotes tumor proliferation, migration and invasion. TRAF4 directly binds to EGFR molecules, enhances its own phosphorylation and activates the downstream signaling pathway by promoting the interaction between EGFR molecules.

Long Non-Coding RNA HCP5 Affects Ferroptosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma through miR-17-5p/HOXA7 Axis.

Ferroptosis, a regulated cell death initiated by Fe-dependent lipoperoxidation, is closely linked to the development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). LncRNA human leukocyte antigen complex P5 (HCP5) has been confirmed as oncogenic in LUAD, but its function in ferroptosis is unknown. Based on the previous bioinformatics mining of the ceRNA (competitive endogenous RNA) network HCP5/miR-17-5p/ Homeobox A7 (HOXA7) related to ferroptosis in LUAD, in this study, we characterized the cell-based experiments to validate the binding between the HCP5/miR-17-5p/HOXA7 axis and ferroptosis. The HCP5/miR-17-5p/HOXA7 linkage was identified by a two-luciferase reporter. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assay were employed for the detection of viability, invasion, and migration of A549 cells, respectively. ACSL4 and SLC7A11 were associated with ferroptosis, MMP 9, vimentin, and E-cadherin, which were associated with migration and invasion and were assessed by WB and qRT-PCR. Fe2+ and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed using kits. Over-expression of HCP5 enhances the growth, invasion, and migration of A549 cells by adjusting miR-17-5P to increase the expression of HOXA7. In addition, the knock-down of HCP5 elevated miR-17-5p, which inhibited HOXA7 expression and suppressed ferroptosis and EMT in A549 cells. HCP5/miR-17-5p/HOXA7 can affect ferroptosis as well as the biological behavior of A549 cells.

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1-Specific Dehydrogelation to Release Its Inhibitor for Enhanced Lung Tumor Therapy.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is emerging as a promising molecular target of lung cancer, and various FGFR1 inhibitors have exhibited significant therapeutic effects on lung cancer in preclinical research. Due to their low targeting ability or bioavailability, direct administration of these inhibitors may cause side effects. Herein, a hydrogelator, Nap-Phe-Phe-Phe-Glu-Thr-Glu-Leu-Tyr-OH (Nap-Y), was rationally designed to coassemble with an FGFR1 inhibitor nintedanib (Nin) to form a peptide hydrogel Gel Y/Nin for localized administration and FGFR1-triggered release of Nin. Upon specific phosphorylation by FGFR1 overexpressed on lung cancer cells, Nap-Y in Gel Y/Nin is converted to the hydrophilic product Nap-Phe-Phe-Phe-Glu-Thr-Glu-Leu-Tyr(H2PO3)-OH (Nap-Yp), leading to dehydrogelation of the gel and subsequent Nin release. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the release of Nin in a sustained manner from Gel Y/Nin significantly suppresses the survival, migration, and invasion of A549 cells by inhibiting FGFR1 expression and its phosphorylation function on downstream signaling molecules. Nude mouse studies show that Gel Y/Nin exhibits enhanced therapeutic efficacy on lung tumor than free Nin. We anticipate that Gel Y/Nin will be utilized for lung cancer treatment in clinical settings in the near future.

FANCA promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression and is a potential target for epitope vaccine immunotherapy

BackgroundFANCA mutations have been detected in a variety of cancers and found to be pro-carcinogenic. However, no functional studies have been identified regarding the involvement of FANCA in the occurrence and the immune response of LUAD.MethodsThe mRNA expression and overall survival rates of FANCA were evaluated by the TIMER, PrognoScan and TCGA database in LUAD tissues, and FANCA expression was further validated by clinical serum samples using ELISA. The correlation between FANCA and immune infiltration level was investigated via TISIDB database and CIBERSORT algorithm. The Kaplan–Meier plotter was used to further evaluate the prognostic value based on the expression levels of FANCA in related immune cells. Then, the influence of FANCA knockout on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells was validated using CCK8, cloning formation, and Transwell assays. Subsequently, HLA-A2-restricted FANCA antigenic peptides were predicted and synthesized by NetMHC4.0 and SYFPEITHI, and DCs were induced and cultured in vitro. Finally, DCs loaded with HLA-A2-restricted FANCA antigenic peptides were co-cultured with autologous peripheral blood lymphocyte to generate specific CTLs. The killing effects of different CTLs on LUAD cells were studied.ResultsThe results showed that high levels of FANCA in patients with LUAD were significantly correlated with worse OS survival, which was correlated with age, clinical stage, pathological T stage, M stage, and N stage in LUAD. Knockdown of FANCA in A549 and H1299 cells significantly inhibited proliferation, metastasis, and invasion in vitro. In addition, FANCA was significantly related to immune infiltrate, genomic alterations and TMB. FANCA expression infuenced the prognosis of LUAD patients by directly affecting immune cell infltration. Finally, HLA-A2-restricted FANCA antigenic peptides were synthesized. And FANCA 146–154 (SLLEFAQYL) antigenic peptide exhibit a stronger affinity for DCs, and induce CTLs to produce stronger targeted killing ability for LUAD cells at an effector-to-target ratio of 40:1.ConclusionThese results demonstrated that the elevation of FANCA promotes malignant phenotype of LUAD, and the potential peptide P2 (SLLEFAQYL) derived from FANCA may be used as an epitope vaccine for the treatment of LUAD.

Widely-targeted in silico and in vitro evaluation of veratrum alkaloid analogs as FAK inhibitors and dual targeting of FAK and Hh/SMO pathways for cancer therapy: A critical analysis

Focal Adhesive Kinase (FAK), a key player in aggressive cancers, mediates signals crucial for progression, invasion, and metastasis. Despite advances in targeted therapies, drug resistance is still a challenge, and survival rates remain low, particularly for late-stage patients, emphasizing the need for innovative cancer therapeutics. Cyclopamine, a veratrum alkaloid, has shown promising anti-tumor properties, but the search for more potent analogs with enhanced affinity for the biological target continues.This study employs a hybrid virtual screening approach combining pharmacophore model-based virtual screening (PB-VS) and docking-based virtual screening (DB-VS) to identify potential inhibitors of the FAK catalytic domain. PB-VS on the PubChem database yielded a set of hits, which were then docked with the FAK catalytic domain in two stages (1st and 2nd DB-VS). Hits were ranked based on docking scores and interactions with the active site. The top three compounds underwent molecular dynamics simulations, alongside two control compounds (SMO inhibitor(s) and FAK inhibitor(s)), to assess stability through RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and SASA analyses. ADMET properties were evaluated, and compounds were filtered based on drug-likeness criteria.Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the stability of compounds when complexed with the FAK catalytic domain. Compounds 16 (−25 kcal/mol), 88 (−27.47 kcal/mol), and 87 (−18.94 kcal/mol) exhibited comparable docking scores, interaction profiles, stability, and binding energies, indicating their potential as lead candidates. However, further validation and optimization through quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies are essential to refine their efficacy and therapeutic potential. The in vitro cell-based assay demonstrated that compound 101PF, a FAK inhibitor, significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells. However, the results regarding the combined effects of FAK and SMO inhibitors were inconclusive, highlighting the need for further investigation. This study contributes to developing more effective anti-cancer drugs by improving the understanding of potential cyclopamine-based veratrum alkaloid analogs with enhanced interactions with the FAK catalytic domain.

Exploring the anti-NSCLC mechanism of phillyrin targeting inhibition of theHSP90-AKT pathway.

Phillyrin (PHN), derived from the dried fruit of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine with the effect of clearing heat, and has been used in China for thousands of years in treating various tumors. However, the mechanism of its main components on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. PHN is a distinct component extracted from Forsythia suspensa with promising anti-cancer activity against various tumor types. This study sought to elucidate the promising effects of PHN on NSCLC. Based on network pharmacology results, we identified potential PHN targets and pathways for NSCLC treatment. CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, apoptosis assay, western blot, and in vivo experiments verified the inhibitory effect of PHN on NSCLC. Network pharmacology identified 160 potential PHN targets, 955 NSCLC-related targets, and 54 common targets, along with 132 pathways and 2 core genes. Biological experiments demonstrated that PHN significantly inhibited the growth and migration of A549 and LLC cells while promoting their apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed down-regulation of AKT, HSP90AA1, and CDC37 expression, suggesting that PHN inhibits A549 and LLC cell proliferation by down-regulating the HSP90-AKT pathway. In vivo experiments confirmed that PHN significantly inhibited NSCLC growth with low toxicity. This study, using network pharmacology and biological experiments, verified the effectiveness of PHN against NSCLC through the HSP90-AKT pathway. These findings provide a foundation for further research and analysis.

Oleic Acid Inhibits SDC4 and Promotes Ferroptosis in Lung Cancer Through GPX4/ACSL4.

As a common malignancy, lung cancer has a relatively poor prognosis and a low survival rate. In recent years, ferroptosis, as an emerging filed, has great promise in the potential treatment of cancer. Brucea javanica oil (BJO) is often used to treat various cancers. Oleic acid (OA) is the main ingredient of BJO. In this study, we investigated the role and molecular mechanism of OA in lung cancer treatment by promoting ferroptosis. In this study, A549 cells and H1299 cells were used for invitro experiments, and a CCK-8 test, scratch test, and MTT experiment were carried out. We examined reactive oxygen species (ROS), the JC-1 probe, glutathione (GSH) expression, lipid peroxidation, SDC4 mRNA levels, and ACSL4, SLC7A11, GPX4, and SDC4 protein levels. The results showed that OA could inhibit the proliferation and migration of A549 cells and H1299 cells, SDC4 was a potential therapeutic target of OA against lung cancer, and OA treatment significantly inhibited the expression of SDC4 in A549 cells and H1299 cells. OA induces ferroptosis in A549 cells and H1299 cells, decreases GSH levels, increases lipid peroxidation levels, and decreases SDC4 mRNA expression; in addition, OA upregulates ACSL4 expression and decreases SLC7A11, GPX4, and SDC4 expression. This study confirmed that OA could inhibit SDC4 expression and promote the occurrence of ferroptosis in A549 cells and H1299 cells through the GPX4/ACSL4 pathway, providing an effective basis for the use of drugs targeting ferroptosis in lung cancer treatment.

ERK5 mediates pro-tumorigenic phenotype in non-small lung cancer cells induced by PGE2

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constituting approximately 84 % of all lung cancer cases. The role of inflammation in the initiation and progression of NSCLC tumors has been the focus of extensive research. Among the various inflammatory mediators, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a pivotal role in promoting the aggressiveness of epithelial tumors through multiple mechanisms, including the stimulation of growth, evasion of apoptosis, invasion, and induction of angiogenesis. The Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase 5 (ERK5), the last discovered member among conventional mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), is implicated in cancer-associated inflammation. In this study, we explored whether ERK5 is involved in the process of tumorigenesis induced by PGE2. Using A549 and PC9 NSCLC cell lines, we found that PGE2 triggers the activation of ERK5 via the EP1 receptor. Moreover, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of ERK5 reduced PGE2-induced proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness of A549 and PC9 cells, indicating that ERK5 plays a critical role in PGE2-induced tumorigenesis. In summary, our study underscores the pivotal role of the PGE2/EP1/ERK5 axis in driving the malignancy of NSCLC cells in vitro. Targeting this axis holds promise as a potential avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling the advancement of NSCLC.

Ultrasound-mediated PLGA-PEI Nanobubbles Carrying STAT6 SiRNA Enhances NSCLC Treatment via Repolarizing Tumor-associated Macrophages from M2 to M1 Phenotypes.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development. In this study, polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-polyethylenimine (PEI) nanobubbles (NBs) carrying STAT6 siRNA were prepared and combined with ultrasound-mediated nanobubbles destruction (UMND) to silence the STAT6 gene, ultimately repolarizing TAMs from the M2 to the M1 phenotype, treating NSCLC in vitro. PLGA-PEI NBs-siRNA were prepared and characterised, and their respective ultrasound imaging, biological stabilities and cytotoxicities were detected. Transfection efficiency was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Repolarization of THP-1-derived M2-like macrophages was determined by qPCR and flow cytometry. NSCLC cells (A549) were co-cultured with transfected M2-like macrophages or their associated conditioned medium (CM). Western blotting was used to detect STAT6 gene silencing in M2-like macrophages and markers of epithelial and mesenchymal in A549 cells. The proliferation of A549 cells was detected using CCK-8 and cell colony formation assays. Transwell assays were used to detect the migration and invasion of A549 cells. PLGA-PEI NBs-siRNA had an average size of 223.13 ± 0.92 nm and a zeta potential of about -5.59 ± 0.97 mV. PLGA-PEI NBs showed excellent ultrasonic imaging capability in addition to biological stability to protect siRNA from degradation. UMND enhanced PLGA-PEI NBs-STAT6 siRNA transfection in M2-like macrophages, which made M2-like macrophages repolarize to M1-like macrophages and prevented proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in A549 cells. UMND enhanced PLGA-PEI NBs-STAT6 siRNA to repolarize TAMs from the M2 to the M1 phenotype, thus treating NSCLC. These findings provide a promising therapeutic approach for enhancing NSCLC immunotherapy.

FBXO11 Mediates Ubiquitination of ZEB1 and Modulates Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer Cells.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) affects the invasion and migration of cancer cells. Here, we show that FBXO11 recognizes and promotes ubiquitin-mediated degradation of ZEB1. There is a strong association between FBXO11 and ZEB1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC) in a clinical database. FBXO11 interacts with ZEB1, a core inducer of EMT. FBXO11 leads to increased ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of ZEB1. Depletion of endogenous FBXO11 causes ZEB1 protein accumulation and EMT in A549 and H1299 cells, while overexpression of FBXO11 reduces ZEB1 protein abundance and cellular invasiveness. Importantly, the depletion of ZEB1 suppresses the increased migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells promoted by the depletion of FBXO11. The same results are shown in xenograft tumors. High FBXO11 expression is associated with a favorable prognosis in NSLC. Collectively, our study demonstrates that FBXO11 modulates EMT by mediating the stability of ZEB1 in lung cancer cells.

Activin A inhibits the migration of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells induced by EGF

Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, is involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, it remains unclear whether activin A can affect the migration of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. In this study, the results of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identification revealed that lung adenocarcinoma tissues exhibited lower expression of activin βA mRNA, but higher expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and MMP9 mRNA compared to nontumor tissues. Moreover, we found that activin A inhibited human LUAD A549 cell proliferation promoted by EGF. Additionally, EGF induced A549 cell migration in microfluidic device, while activin A attenuated EGF actions. Simultaneously, EGF increased the levels of migration-related proteins, but activin A played the opposite role. Furthermore, the study revealed that EGF upregulated the ratio of p-ERK/ERK in A549 cells, which was weakened by activin A, and A549 cell migration regulated by activin A was not related to calcium signaling. In addition, the inhibitory effect of activin A on EGF-induced A549 cell migration was attenuated by the ERK inhibitor FR180204. These findings demonstrate that activin A effectively hinders the migration of A549 cells induced by EGF through ERK1/2 signaling, suggesting that targeting activin A may hold promise in the treatment of EGF-dependent LUAD growth and metastasis.

Synergistic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Allium sativum (Garlic) with DAPT and ATRA on Notch Signaling Targeted Molecular Action on Lung Cancer Cell line (A549)

Background: The activated oncogenic Notch signalling is an emerging target to treat cancer progression and recurrence. Synthetic inhibitors of Notch receptors are in pre-clinical studies. However, the overexpression of Notch signalling molecules at the gene level needs to be regulated to control cancer progression. Objective: We propose that this can be achieved by gene-regulatory drugs in combination with natural phytochemical compounds. Methods: The ethanol extract of Allium sativum alone and in combination with DAPT and ATRA were evaluated for cytotoxicity on A549 cells by MTT and Trypan blue assays. Their effects on Notch 1, Hes 1 and p53 gene expressions were studied by RT-PCR and qPCR. Their inhibition on metastatic invasion of A549 cells was analyzed by in vitro wound scratch assay. The phytochemicals of the extract were identified by GC-MS analysis. Results: Many organosulfur compounds having anti-cancer potency were identified in GC-MS. The combination treatment with 50μg (IC50) of garlic extract exhibited a highly significant (P≤0.01) synergistic inhibitory effect on A549 cell growth and migration. It has also significantly reduced the expression of Notch 1 and Hes 1 oncogenes and enhanced p53 gene expression, compared with the individual treatments. This indicates the synergistic action of the extract on the downregulation of Notch signalling at the mRNA level. Conclusion: Our study results imply that the combination therapies have potent molecular treatment action via down-regulating Notch signaling target genes and upregulating p53 gene expression as an underlying mechanism of inhibitory action on A549 lung cancer cells.

The modulation of lung cancer cell motility by Calponin 3 is achieved through its ability to sense and respond to changes in substrate stiffness.

The influence of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness on cell behavior is a well-established phenomenon. Tumor development is associated with the stiffening of the ECM. However, the understanding of the role of biomechanical behavior and mechanotransduction pathways in the oncogenesis of tumor cells remains limited. In this study, we constructed in vitro models using Polydimethylsiloxane substrates to create soft and stiff substrates. We then evaluated the migration of lung cancer cells A549 using video-microscopy and transwell assays. The mechanical properties were assessed through the utilization of atomic force microscopy, Optical Magnetic Twisting Cytometry, and traction force analysis. Additionally, the expression of Calponin 3 (CNN3) was evaluated using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence techniques. Our observations indicate that the presence of a stiff substrate enhances A549 motility, as evidenced by increased stiffness and traction force in A549 cells on the stiff substrate. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in CNN3 expression in A549 cells on the stiff substrate. Notably, when CNN3 was overexpressed, it effectively inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells on the stiff substrate. The results of our study provide novel perspectives on the mechanisms underlying cancer cell migration in response to substrate mechanical properties.