ABSTRACT
To investigate the effect of ursolic acid on the invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells co-cultured with macrophages, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The migration and invasion ability of HCC cells in the co-culture system with or without ursolic acid intervention were evaluated by transwell assay. The levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin in HCC cells co-cultured with macrophages were detected by Western blot. Results: The migration and invasion ability and EMT were significantly enhanced when co-cultured with macrophages, and the expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased while N-cadherin and vimentin levels were significantly decreased. However, after ursolic acid treatment, the migration and invasion ability were significantly reduced, and the expression of E-cadherin was increased while N-cadherin and vimentin levels were decreased. Conclusion: Ursolic acid exerts inhibitory effect on the ability of migration, invasion, and EMT for HCC, which are enhanced by co-culturing with macrophages.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cadherins , Genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Coculture Techniques , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Liver Neoplasms , Pathology , Macrophages , Cell Biology , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Pathology , Triterpenes , PharmacologyABSTRACT
Objective To study the inhibitory effect and mechanism of citrusinol on proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2.Methods The inhibitory rate of HepG2 cells cultured in vitro was measured by MTT assay.The morphology and distribution of the ceils were observed by HE and acridine orange staining.The cell division cycle was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of F-actin protein was observed by fluorescent chromogenic method.Results Citrusinol could inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells,and the IC50 of the inhibitory rate was 76.46 μmol/L.Citrusinol could make the HepG2 cells shrink,arrest the cell division cycle to G2/M,and inhibit the expression of F-actin.Conclusion Citrusinol can prevent cell proliferation by arresting cell division cycle in G2/M phase and inhibiting the formation of cytoskeleton,thus inhibiting the growth of G2/M.